theguru

From Coach E's mom, Lynne, on Facebook: I believe his first words were " ball and net". He was a very unsettled child (I'm being kind) and simply Did Not Stop. He was still in diapers when I turned on a basketball game and he stopped dead in his tracks and sat down on his little red plastic chair and actually watched the game. His love for the game was set in motion. Before he even started school, he was carrying a clip board with pages and pages of x's and o's. He did not leave the house without his notebooks and eventually binders stuck under his scrawny arms. One never knew when he might need to scribble an emergency route to run. Somewhere along the line, he acquired a whistle (that was wonderful). Long before any math lessons, he taught himself to add and subtract by determining how many points a team was up or down. His grandparents would cut pictures of "balls and nets" out of newspapers and magazines and these were his prized positions. He would carefully paste or tape these in a notebook for future reference. He broke out with chicken pox at the ninth region tournament one year and tried to hide it because he knew that meant he would not be able to go the following night. When he went for a tour of the school where he attended kindergarten, his only comment referenced the gymnasium. All else would be lost on him. That is pretty much how he started and ended his school days. Not much on education, but it was a small price for him to pay to play ball. Going into the 7th grade, he was transferred from his small parochial school to the public school because no matter how hard everyone tried, he was a square peg and simply did not fit the round hole environment the school provided. As parents, it was a difficult decision to make. It was simply Blind Faith (actually more like what the hell could we possibly lose). It turned out to be so much more than the right decision. That was the school that built him. He thrived there. He was blessed with an abundance of friends, coaches, teachers and mentors who helped mold him into the man he is today. Trust me when I say, this was no easy feat. However, there were people there he respected and trusted and they did right by him and continue to do so. Besides Debbie D. Bowman and a handful of others, they were the first people to accept him for what he was (and is) instead of trying to mold him into what he definitely was not. They saw potential and worked on his strengths. They were the game changers. There will never be enough words to express my gratitude for these men and women. The ship was sinking and you were our lifeboat. It is still lost on me that this boy who tolerated school at best has circled around the world and ended up being a teacher. Of course, this means he is still a part of "the game". He has been a little here and a little there preparing for this day. He has done the work, taken his knocks, persevered and his efforts and passion for the game have found him right back where it started, where he undoubtedly belongs. He is still a square peg and the world is still a round whole. But, guess what? That's ok. He has found his way. Not always easy, but always worth it. He will come upon more of these "square pegs" and I am certain that he will be able to do for them what has been done for him. Congratulations, Coach Elsbernd. You certainly have your work cut out for you. But, that has always been and probably will always be the case for you. You have NEVER taken the easy route and I see no good reason to start now. You have years of experience beating the [redacted] and overcoming countless obstacles. You have proven repeatedly there are times when only a Square Peg can get the damn job done! Signed, Momma. Forever your biggest fan and worst critic. 😉

@NKYBballFan32 or anyone, would you please point us to the official announcement?

That is what I was thinking. And I assume that Gardner Minshew thrives in 2 TE sets.

I hear what you are saying but if the Bengals consistently draft that way it should pay off in the long run. And I will have a side of luck with that order please.

I feel like as long as Joe Burrow is healthy the Bengals are in a Super Bowl window so I will never fault OL reinforcements.

This was posted on Facebook as Mims at the combine, I assume it is legit.

Added protection for Joe Burrow, I love it! Who Dey!

I would think they will both be starters but I am not a Raiders expert. Bowers is awesome but I believe Mayer is the complete package right now.

Wow, the Raiders just took Bowers.

6 QBs in the first 12 picks, wow. We are six picks away. Who Dey!!

Here are some highlights from that article: WINNING WITH INTEGRITY AT CORE OF NEW COACH Jennifer Willhoite April 25, 2024 Coach Joshua Smith is set to take the reins of the Carroll County High School football program. He's gearing up for a season that's not just about touchdowns, but about modeling integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field. “I want to give them structure and communicate to these kids so they know they have coaches they can rely on,” Smith said, noting he strives to develop a family atmosphere among his players. “We have to build this program within the lives of the kids or it won’t be sustained.” Smith said he encourages his players to be multi-sport athletes. The U.S. Army veteran said he will focus on structure, clear communication, servant leadership and building relationships with the team, the community and the student body as a whole. ============== There is plenty more at the above link. This looks like a great hire for the Panthers and thanks for your service, Coach Smith!

Generally speaking here but at this pace "we" better start growing coaches on trees.

On the surface that sounds harsh.