Whos the best coach Southeast KY

Originally Posted by 13th Analyst

He wasn't the coach in 2002. That was Sawyer's last year. He was mad because he had every starter return and still lost to Middlesboro in the regional championship when they started 5 sophomores. However, that is a great example, Powell got that very young Middlesboro team through region, through sectionals, and into the Final Four.

Fact is, Garmon inherited excellent facilities in a baseball crazy town and failed to make the regional tournament last year. And it isn't like they were playing in the 43rd district or something. The region consisted of Williamsburg who was 11-11 in region play, Whitley who was 9-10, and South who was 17-2.

To get to region, Middlesboro has to beat Bell County who was 13-7 in region play and a Cumberland team that was 10-8.

Whitley was no better than Bell County this past year and while Corbin's coaches couldn't get the job done, Middlesboro's coaches did. Despite the fact that Middlesboro had lost to Bell County in their most recent meeting, they came out and beat them 10-0. In my mind, that is great coaching.

Sorry if I offended any Corbin fans. I had several great games with Corbin when I played but I just don't think Garmon is in the elite class of coaches in the Southeast. Just my opinion.

Sawyers was a successful coach. When reading over that again I felt like I didn't give him much credit. He took his team to a State Championship game in the early 90s. Very few coaches have done that.

Originally Posted by KingB

Excellent insight....however, if few players from southestern Kentucky have an opportunity to play professional baseball and/or Div I, don't you think a coach owes it to himself, his players, and his community to "teach" pride, loyalty and dicipline so his kids eventually become good citizens in the community in which they reside? Maybe a coach like Sawyers who helped build a facility second to none and required his players to be men of character should be considered a GREAT coach! Maybe a coach like Jeff Garmon who maintains that facility and continues in that tradition should be considered a good coach........or maybe they should go to more clinics, watch more video and add to the record books......Most people in society rank success on plasma TV's and cars that parallel park on their own (scoreboard watchers) Hopefully, I have communicated my point that "Success is defined by leaving the world a better place" (facilities; citezens; community).....I think Emerson looked that up in KHSAA!

I'm just having a little difficulty, following your meaning. I think a lot of posters, have echoed your sentiments on many points, as I did in post #23. I don't understand the continued references to plasma TV's and vehicles....

I do think many players are getting an opportunity to play college baseball, which is part the coaches obligation, parents, school and player himself to promote. I help promote players to colleges, through a service I have in not only Baseball but other sports. Some have the knowledge to do as coaches, while others are limited but that doesn't take away their ability, to be effective in that craft of coaching but more so, their time allocated to helping that player into a program, must be managed better.

At the same time, most college coaches will consider communication, promotion and information, but they still want to see that player in person, in their camp, surroundings or under their guidance/instruction.

A coach can be a great grounds-keeper and lousy coach...so not sure that argument is valid. The desire to have wonderful facilities, the commitment to maintain them is part of the pride in which you speak, but it takes a large group of people to make a team and a team, can have only one ultimate decision maker, the head coach. Effective staffs, have a solid coaching corps with a head coach, who are working toward the same goal....Improving young men to be better Baseball players and preparing them for the world, which awaits.

Originally Posted by STRIKE3

There have been many student-athletes from the Southeastern KY area, that have went on to play D1, DII, DII, JUCO and NAIA....as for professionals, not many even get that chance, much less limited to a geographical area. Not sure I agree on they could coach any sport, as their knowledge of the game and fundamentals, must be in place of that sport. I do agree, to be a great coach communication is a must but not limited to that portion, but to be able to communicate the aspects of Baseball, along with the development of drills, training and practice routines, to refine those skills.

I'm also sensing, you seem a little bitter for some reason... I personally know many former players, who have gone on to coach and some with varying levels of knowledge but doesn't mean one is more competent than the other, or one is lesser in baseball IQ.

There have been many solid, valid points made by posters, regarding their thoughts and qualifications, as to what makes a good/great coach. I guess the simple answer is, its subjective to the person listening. If the criteria is based off wins, championships, college players, longevity, etc...than an answer can clearly be defined, by searching through the KHSAA records book.

I personally attend meetings, camps, showcases and strive to watch all various forms of media, to improve my baseball and coaching knowledge. I owe that to my players, myself and community.

I, too, sensed a little bitterness in those posts.

1st year at whitley Smith leads colonels to district championship and regional championship( first time in 37 years) to be ousted by Garmons Hounds. 2nd year at whitley Smith leads colonels past corbin in district( beat them for the first time in 26 years) lost district champ. to South Laurel which made it to State tournament. Once Smith wins that first big game that Whitley hasn't been able to get in years look for that program to be turned around more than Smith has already turned it around. He has redone that facility and in my opinion is as good as any in the state. I would love to play on it every day.
Point: Garmon is one of the top Coaches in SE KY.
Once Smith wins that BIG game, He will be considered more so than he is now. I think he played for one of the top Coaches in SE kY also, Billy Powell (middlesboro)

Originally Posted by THE FAN

1st year at whitley Smith leads colonels to district championship and regional championship( first time in 37 years) to be ousted by Garmons Hounds. 2nd year at whitley Smith leads colonels past corbin in district( beat them for the first time in 26 years) lost district champ. to South Laurel which made it to State tournament. Once Smith wins that first big game that Whitley hasn't been able to get in years look for that program to be turned around more than Smith has already turned it around. He has redone that facility and in my opinion is as good as any in the state. I would love to play on it every day.
Point: Garmon is one of the top Coaches in SE KY.
Once Smith wins that BIG game, He will be considered more so than he is now. I think he played for one of the top Coaches in SE kY also, Billy Powell (middlesboro)

I remember watching Whitley play at Pulaski a couple years ago. What happened to that nice little lefty pitcher they had? His name was Taylor, maybe?

i think he went to Cumberland.

Thanks

Originally Posted by 4chs

Garmon's teams have accomplished the following:

2002 - Regional runner-up
2003 - regional runner-up
2004 - lost in the 2nd round of the 13th region
2005 - Region & Semi-state champion
2006 - lost in the district

4 years as head coach. 1 regional tourney,1 runner-up,1 semi-final. I don't think that is a bad resume for 4 years? Maybe my expectations are not as high as some????

Originally Posted by 13th Analyst

Here are some guys who went on to play college ball under Coach Powell at Middlesboro in the past decade:

Glen McDonald 97'- University of Kentucky (DI)
Scott Benson 97'- Campbellsville University (NAIA), Union College (NAIA)
Brad Southern 97'- Hiwassee College (JUCO)
Josh Robinson 99'- Lincoln Memorial University (DII)
David Kelley 99'- Lincoln Memorial University (DII)
Chad Adkins 99'- Alice Lloyd College (NAIA)
Lee Hardin 99'- Cumberland College (NAIA)
Jason Goodman 99'- Cumberland College (NAIA)
Jeremy Skidmore 00'- East Tennessee State Univ. (DI), Union College (NAIA)
Derrick Wynn 00'- Northern Kentucky University (DII), Union College (NAIA)
David Chedester 01'- Greeneville Collge (DIII)
Casey Hatmaker 01'- Lincoln Memorial University (DII)
Brian Powell 02'- University of Kentucky (DI), Georgetown College (NAIA)
Justin Stewart 04'- Cumberland College (NAIA)
Vince Powell 04'- Morehead State University (DI)
Justin Harris 04'- Union College (NAIA)
Josh Burns 04'- Maryville College (DIII), Lincoln Memorial University (DII)

I don't necessarily think that the number of DI players that were produced is as good as indicator of how good a coach a person is as is just the total number of player sent on to play college ball. I feel like an important part of being a great coach is finding a place for you players to extend their career if that is what they want to do. It takes a caring coach to go out of his way and contact college coaches for his players

I also think JD Bussell at Rockcastle is top notch. He seems to be very knowledgable about the game, competes at a high level year in and year out, and does so with a great deal of class.

Nice list 13th A. Seeing those names brings back some great memories of some great games. Of that list I believe McDonald and Skidmore had the most talent but thats just my opinion. Thats a really talented list. I do have some questions about the D1 signees. How many seasons did McDonald stay at UK? Can you really count Vince in that group? Thought he gave up baseball and only stayed there for the fall semester and then transfered to UK.

Out of that list I think there are some great future head coaches in there. Scott Benson, David Kelley, and Derrick Wynn have all been assistants at some point over the past 4 seasons. I was impressed with all 3 of them. They know the game but most of all, they were really good with the kids and brought some intensity and focus into the dugout.

As far as current coaches go, in the 13th Region it's not even close. Once you take into consideration, knowledge of the game, care about the kids, ability to develop talent, giving opportunites for summer play, connections with college coaches and the willingness to help a kid find a place to play after high school, John Smith from Whitley Co. wins hands down.

There were several on the list that didn't stay for a baseball career but the point was that Coach Powell assisted them into getting in the position to play college ball. Just because they didn't continue to play didn't mean they didn't have the talent to. Glen McDonald didn't play a whole semester, Skidmore quit at ETSU after just a few months, Brian Powell suffered a pretty bad injury and thought he may be better suited for Georgetown, Vince Powell never fully recovered from his wrist injury and thought it was time to give it up, and Justin Stewart played one season and sustained an injury and is now a student at UK.

Like I mentioned before, my post was simply showing that yes, players from southeast Kentucky have gotten a chance to play DI and college baseball in general and that the key to that was having a good coach in Coach Powell.

Originally Posted by KingB

Excellent insight....however, if few players from southestern Kentucky have an opportunity to play professional baseball and/or Div I, don't you think a coach owes it to himself, his players, and his community to "teach" pride, loyalty and dicipline so his kids eventually become good citizens in the community in which they reside? Maybe a coach like Sawyers who helped build a facility second to none and required his players to be men of character should be considered a GREAT coach! Maybe a coach like Jeff Garmon who maintains that facility and continues in that tradition should be considered a good coach........or maybe they should go to more clinics, watch more video and add to the record books......Most people in society rank success on plasma TV's and cars that parallel park on their own (scoreboard watchers) Hopefully, I have communicated my point that "Success is defined by leaving the world a better place" (facilities; citezens; community).....I think Emerson looked that up in KHSAA!

Coach Sawyers(Corbin) taught his kids to respect their opponents, coaches, umpires, teammates and the game itself above winning. I recall one year when he dismissed his two best pitchers from the team a few days before the regional tournament(when they were the favorite) for violating a team rule. It probably cost his team a regional title, but I'm sure that in the long run that many kids benefitted from his strict discipline. Coach Garmon expects the same from the Corbin players today. You won't see any taunting of the other team or throwing bats, etc. that I witness from some of the other teams from the area coming from the Corbin players.

Originally Posted by statmanhensley

Those that have been mentioned above are really good coaches from the 14th region I think.

Some that I'd like to add are:

Ashland Blazer - Jeff Wilcox
Raceland - Randy Vanderhoof
Lawrence County - Randy Keeton
Pikeville - Steve Priode
Paintsville - Tucker Howard
Rockcastle County - J.D. Bussell
Corbin - Jeff Garmon
North Laurel - Darren McWhorter
Somerset - Phillip Grundy
Southwestern - Rodney McAninch
Bell County - Tommy Greer
Hazard - John Meehan
Johnson Central - Shawn Hall
Pulaski County - Scott McAninchh
East Carter - Jeremiah Shearer
Perry County Central - Bobby Keith Dixon

First of all Ashland , Raceland, Lawrence County and East Carter are not Southeast KY, but since you brought it up, kinda hard to leave Ben from Boyd County out of the mix. He did coach Boyd to wins over about every team listed in our area and had his time at Applebees Park, where he didnt see much of this teams there.

Coach Smith will have his hands full during the 2007 season..He lost 7 seniors this past year and will be playing with a really young team. I suppose he will get to put those great coaching skills to work...If anybody can do it, I would place my bets on Smith.

Originally Posted by 4chs

Coach Sawyers(Corbin) taught his kids to respect their opponents, coaches, umpires, teammates and the game itself above winning. I recall one year when he dismissed his two best pitchers from the team a few days before the regional tournament(when they were the favorite) for violating a team rule. It probably cost his team a regional title, but I'm sure that in the long run that many kids benefitted from his strict discipline. Coach Garmon expects the same from the Corbin players today. You won't see any taunting of the other team or throwing bats, etc. that I witness from some of the other teams from the area coming from the Corbin players.

Both can be proud of their records on the field also. For years it was the big three in the 13th Corbin, Middlseboro,and The Rock. Adding Coach Smith and South to the 50th has made it a bear. A good team and coach will get left home at region time. Williamsburg has two pitchers capable of beating any team in that district in shelley and Witt. Coach Strickland had them in Lexington for the All A tw0 yearas ago. I'm sure he would trade districts with anybody in the 13th.

Even after losing 7 starters i have to say coach john smith knows how to teach his youngsters baseball

Tim Melton from Knox Central should be added to the list! He lost 7 seniors last year, which all started, and he has came up with some big wins this year from the younger guys, like South Laurel, Middlesboro,Whitley, basically all the 50th district. They play Corbin in not two long.