West Bloomfield Coach Cautions Prospects To Stay Patient

Ron Bellamy and his players can’t do as much as they could before with the current dead period was instituted in response to the COVID-19 crisis, but the West Bloomfield (Mich.) High School head coach is doing as much as he can.

“For us, it’s simply first and foremost making sure of safety with the kids,” Bellamy says. “Some of them are panicking right now, but the big thing for us right now is me communicating with the coaches and making sure the kids are answering calls.

“A lot of the college coaches aren’t in the office because the universities are shut down, so making sure the kids are making themselves accessible to talk to the coaches.”

Bellamy is doing his part from outside the school.

“I’m able to work from home, getting the transcripts and sending them out, that kind of thing,” he says. “That’s the angle we’re taking.”

Bellamy is also offering advice to his players on how to stay in shape during the break.

“I just send them like five-minute videos to stay active,” he says. “I am not going to recommend them go anywhere, but if them and their parents want to take that risk, so be it, but I send them videos on core stuff and different things you can do to get a sweat and stay active.”

Bellamy has several Division-I prospects on his roster, but none more high-profile than 2021 running back and Notre Dame target Donovan Edwards‍.

“He’s done a great job communicating with coaches,” Bellamy says. “The biggest thing for some of the guys like Donovan is that there are going to be some kids who commit early because they’re worried about not seeing this coach or that one.”

One school Edwards is seriously considering, along with Notre Dame and Michigan, is Ohio State. Since the start of the crisis, the Buckeyes have added five commits in the Class of 2021, including a pair of players who could play running back in Columbus, Evan Pryor and TreVeyon Henderson.

But Bellamy is telling Edwards - and others - to stay patient.

“Don’t rush your decision, but make sure you’re talking to coaches and getting insight on things.”