"Talkin’ Old School” With Roger Franklin Williams Podcast

"Talkin’ Old School” With Roger Franklin Williams

Old School 9-17-25

Doug Plank is a former safety who played for 8 seasons from 1975-1982. Doug is a master of all trades: from Burger King franchisee to broadcaster to football coach, and many other crafts in-between.

How He Prepared for Life After Football

"I always tried to prepare for the day football was over. Every offseason when I was with the Chicago Bears, I managed to make more money than I did in the regular season. I knew I could survive and have success after football. I did that by continually pushing myself in the offseason: ‘What could I do? What skill could I acquire? What license could I go out and get?’"



“I knew I could survive and have success after football. I did that by continually pushing myself in the offseason: ‘What could I do? What skill could I acquire? What license could I go out and get?’”

"I had a real estate license, I had a loan origination license, I was a contractor, I could build buildings, I went and took a health license, etc. I wanted to prepare for what could be a quick ending of football, and mine was. I happened to suffer a spinal concussion with the Chicago Bears my eighth year, and it kept me from playing. So, I leaned back on those things I had prepared myself for."



"In 1982, the Chicago Bears set me up to sign autographs for a Burger King restaurant, and I met the franchisee. He gave me instructions on how to become a Burger King franchisee, which I ended up doing for a total of 12 years. Even before my career was over, I was an approved Burger King franchisee. I had a wife and two kids - there had to be something after football. Being an owner-operator of Burger King allowed me to use all of those skills I had developed in the offseasons. I used my real estate license, my contractor license to build the building, the loan origination license to get financing, my insurance license to get liability insurance on my property, etc."

Doug Plank is a former safety who played for 8 seasons from 1975-1982. Doug is a master of all trades: from Burger King franchisee to broadcaster to football coach, and many other crafts in-between.
How He Prepared for Life After Football
"I always tried to prepare for the day football was over. Every offseason when I was with the Chicago Bears, I managed to make more money than I did in the regular season. I knew I could survive and have success after football. I did that by continually pushing myself in the offseason: &lsquo;What could I do? What skill could I acquire? What license could I go out and get?&rsquo;" 
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I knew I could survive and have success after football. I did that by continually pushing myself in the offseason: &lsquo;What could I do? What skill could I acquire? What license could I go out and get?&rsquo;&rdquo;
</blockquote>
"I had a real estate license, I had a loan origination license, I was a contractor, I could build buildings, I went and took a health license, etc. I wanted to prepare for what could be a quick ending of football, and mine was. I happened to suffer a spinal concussion with the Chicago Bears my eighth year, and it kept me from playing. So, I leaned back on those things I had prepared myself for." 
"In 1982, the Chicago Bears set me up to sign autographs for a Burger King restaurant, and I met the franchisee. He gave me instructions on how to become a Burger King franchisee, which I ended up doing for a total of 12 years. Even before my career was over, I was an approved Burger King franchisee. I had a wife and two kids - there had to be something after football. Being an owner-operator of Burger King allowed me to use all of those skills I had developed in the offseasons. I used my real estate license, my contractor license to build the building, the loan origination license to get financing, my insurance license to get liability insurance on my property, etc."

Talking Old School: Guest, Doug Plank.

About Coach DarlingtonHead Football Coach
Deland High School

Career Record: 251-95 (28 seasons)
Reached Playoffs in 26 of 28 years as a head coach
All-time central Florida leader in playoff victories (43)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Apopka ’01, ’12, & ‘14
STATE RUNNER-UP: Apopka ‘13 & Valdosta ‘03
STATE FINAL 4 (semifinals): Deland ‘23, Apopka ’07 & ‘09
STATE ELITE 8 (quarterfinals): Enterprise ‘21, Apopka ‘08, Valdosta ‘04

DELAND, FL: ’22 to present
In 2 years, the Bulldogs have won Back-to-Back District titles (last title was 11 years ago).  The ’22 team broke the school single season scoring record (33 ppg), and the ’23 team shattered that record at 40 ppg.  2023 Region Champions (1st time since 2009) and state Semi-Finalist in largest classification.  Quarterback has had back to back season of more than 1,200 yards rushing AND passing, and this fall threw 21 TD passes with ZERO interceptions.  Wingback also rushed for 1,000 yards and had 900 yards receiving.

ENTERPRISE, AL: ’19-‘21
Took over a program coming off back to back 2-8 seasons.  Year 1 started 2-5, but turned it around and made the 7A playoffs in Maxpreps 3rd toughest playoff bracket in the country. Year 2 averaged 36 ppg and again made the playoffs.  Year 3, scored 41 ppg (3rd in 7A behind the teams playing for state), led the entire state of Alabama in rushing, and had 2 1,000 yard rushers. Finished in the Elite 8 (quarterfinals) in 7A.

APOPKA, FL: ’99-’02 & ’06-‘18
2013 team set a state record with 752 points, averaging 50.1 ppg over 15 games, and rushed for 6,000 yards.  The ’13, ’14, & ’15 teams each had THREE 1,000 yard rushers each season.
OBJECTIVE AS A HEAD COACH
To build a championship football program with young men of character and humility
that the community, school, and parents can be proud of both on and off the field. Our
mission is to build men who are not only successful, but are significant in the lives of others.

He and his wife, Shelly, have been married 33 years and have 4 sons, 3 daughters, 3 grandchildren (and counting…)

Vito Fera is the owner of Network Sound and Video, https://www.networksoundandvideo.com/

 

About Coach DarlingtonHead Football Coach Deland High School Career Record: 251-95 (28 seasons) Reached Playoffs in 26 of 28 years as a head coach All-time central Florida leader in playoff victories (43) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Apopka &rsquo;01, &rsquo;12, &amp; &lsquo;14 STATE RUNNER-UP: Apopka &lsquo;13 &amp; Valdosta &lsquo;03 STATE FINAL 4 (semifinals): Deland &lsquo;23, Apopka &rsquo;07 &amp; &lsquo;09 STATE ELITE 8 (quarterfinals): Enterprise &lsquo;21, Apopka &lsquo;08, Valdosta &lsquo;04 DELAND, FL: &rsquo;22 to present In 2 years, the Bulldogs have won Back-to-Back District titles (last title was 11 years ago).&nbsp; The &rsquo;22 team broke the school single season scoring record (33 ppg), and the &rsquo;23 team shattered that record at 40 ppg.&nbsp; 2023 Region Champions (1st time since 2009) and state Semi-Finalist in largest classification.&nbsp; Quarterback has had back to back season of more than 1,200 yards rushing AND passing, and this fall threw 21 TD passes with ZERO interceptions.&nbsp; Wingback also rushed for 1,000 yards and had 900 yards receiving. ENTERPRISE, AL: &rsquo;19-&lsquo;21 Took over a program coming off back to back 2-8 seasons.&nbsp; Year 1 started 2-5, but turned it around and made the 7A playoffs in Maxpreps 3rd toughest playoff bracket in the country. Year 2 averaged 36 ppg and again made the playoffs.&nbsp; Year 3, scored 41 ppg (3rd in 7A behind the teams playing for state), led the entire state of Alabama in rushing, and had 2 1,000 yard rushers. Finished in the Elite 8 (quarterfinals) in 7A. APOPKA, FL: &rsquo;99-&rsquo;02 &amp; &rsquo;06-&lsquo;18 2013 team set a state record with 752 points, averaging 50.1 ppg over 15 games, and rushed for 6,000 yards.&nbsp; The &rsquo;13, &rsquo;14, &amp; &rsquo;15 teams each had THREE 1,000 yard rushers each season. <a></a><a></a><a></a>OBJECTIVE AS A HEAD COACH To build a championship football program with young men of character and humility that the community, school, and parents can be proud of both on and off the field. Our mission is to build men who are not only successful, but are significant in the lives of others. He and his wife, Shelly, have been married 33 years and have 4 sons, 3 daughters, 3 grandchildren (and counting&hellip;)
Vito Fera is the owner of Network Sound and Video, https://www.networksoundandvideo.com/
&nbsp;

Talking Old School: Coach Rick Darlington and Vito Fera of Network Sound and Video

Vision: Every student graduates prepared and inspired for a thriving future.

Mission: Together with our families and the community, we empower students with a superior academic experience, essential life skills, and boundless opportunities.

Address: 555 W. Martin St., Apopka, Florida 32712-3544

Phone: 407-905-5500

Principal: Lyle Heinz

Mascot: Blue Darter

Colors: Blue, White

School Hours: 7:20 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. (M, T, H, F) 1:10 (W)

Grades: 9 – 12

Vision:&nbsp;Every student graduates prepared and inspired for a thriving future.
Mission:&nbsp;Together with our families and the community, we empower students with a superior academic experience, essential life skills, and boundless opportunities.
Address:&nbsp;555 W. Martin St., Apopka,&nbsp;Florida 32712-3544
Phone:&nbsp;407-905-5500
Principal:&nbsp;Lyle Heinz
Mascot:&nbsp;Blue Darter
Colors:&nbsp;Blue, White
School Hours:&nbsp;7:20 a.m. &ndash;&nbsp;2:20 p.m. (M, T, H, F) 1:10 (W)
Grades:&nbsp;9 &ndash; 12

Old School 9-17-25

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"Talkin’ Old School” With Roger Franklin Williams

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