The past two seasons haven’t gone according to plan for Vinemont.

During that stretch, the Eagles have won just three games — Holly Pond, Good Hope and Priceville — and made zero playoff appearances, neither of which is remotely acceptable for the Class 3A program.

Stephen Robinson will have a chance to turn all that around.

The first-year head coach, who served as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2015 and 2016, officially took over the reins of his alma mater back in July after guiding the Red and White through summer workouts following the departure of former coach Matt Norris.

His ultimate goal?

Turning Vinemont into a perennial contender … starting this fall.

“We want to compete in every game,” said Robinson, who graduated in 1996. “Realistically, making the playoffs is very doable for this team. We’ve got to play well in some big ones, but it’s not out of the question. Above all else, I want to see a never-quit attitude. I want to compete against teams who are more athletic than us. We don’t want any blowouts. We’re like everyone else right now … we can put in the work and put in the time and have that mentality.”

The biggest concern regarding a head coaching change is often the transition period that follows.

Staffs are retooled. Schemes are revamped. Players are reevaluated.

It can take those involved weeks, months or even years to become completely acclimated — sometimes, it never happens — depending on the amount of overhaul and the type of people associated with the program.

Robinson’s prior tenure as offensive coordinator and the willingness of his players to take on new ideas have certainly aided the process.

“There’s been quite a bit of change, too,” Robinson said. “The way we practice, our defense, some schemes. Offensively, we’ll be real close to the way we were. The biggest thing for us has been in the weight room. We’ve gotten a lot stronger, and we’ve worked out at an amazing pace. Guys have been reaping the benefits.”

Count Alonso Salgado as one of those beneficiaries.

The senior linebacker and H-back couldn’t help but notice just how smoothly everything has been implemented.

“It’s been great,” he said. “We used to have two or three coaches and 20 or so players. Now, we have a bunch of players and a bunch of coaches teaching positions. That’s been a great help for us. I think it’ll be a great help throughout the season as well. It’s been a lot of soak in, but I think the transition has gone pretty well.”

Added junior Cameron Carter: “We’re definitely a lot closer this year. We talk more, and we get more done. We also worked our butts off all summer on the field and in the weight room. Harder than we ever have since I’ve been here. I feel like that work can pay off for us this year.”

Offensively, the Eagles must replace the sublime Garrett Boland under center, as well as Deke Wright (running back), Colby Nicholas (wide receiver) and Jaythan Blanton (offensive line).

Sophomore Jack Hill is set to take over at quarterback, while senior Gage Bailey and Carter will both get backfield carries. Lucas Miller and Collin Teichmiller are names to watch out for in the receiving corps.

Nick Mann, Jake Griggs, Tanner Brown, Oistin Cornelius and Derrick Ransom should help Vinemont win some tussles in the trenches.

“We have a few guys on that side of the ball,” Robinson said. “Our line will be a strong suit. And that’s nice, because we have a sophomore quarterback. Moving Gage back to running back should be good for us, too. We’ll rely a lot on him.”

The Red and White face a far greater challenge on defense, where they’ve allowed a combined 781 points over the past two campaigns — the largest back-to-back totals in program history.

Bailey anchors what he called a “much-improved” defensive line, while a host of two-way athletes offer the Eagles enough depth to find the right combination in the back seven.

Robinson, however, is looking to keep things simple on that side of the ball.

“Effort and intensity,” he said. “Let players react and make plays. We are going to teach them a position and let them learn it fundamentally. After that, it’s all about effort, effort, effort and effort.”

Though Robinson won’t be judged solely on his first season at Vinemont, both he and his players are nonetheless shooting for the stars.

Winning season? Check.

Playoffs? Check.

Laying a foundation for years to come? Check.

“I just want to improve, get more wins and put down that stepping stone for Vinemont football,” Bailey said. “We want to be the players who started it all. We’ve got some great guys on this team. Nothing else is standing in our way.”