The program has gone downhill since they pushed Marty Jaggers out.

 

Where is he now? Any chance he would return?

Where is he now? Any chance he would return?

 

 

I see him around town from time to time. I don't know if he would return but it never hurts to ask.

If memory serves me correct, Preston was an assistant at Danville several years back, when they won a few state titles... I think Jaggers was on the same staff maybe? He would be a good for Mercer imo.

If memory serves me correct, Preston was an assistant at Danville several years back, when they won a few state titles... I think Jaggers was on the same staff maybe? He would be a good for Mercer imo.

 

I agree. Seeing as how he guided Mercer to their only state title and that he is as familiar with the program as anyone I'd like to see him in the running for the job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If he wants it........

Jaggers has great football knowledge and experience but he burned a lot of bridges....

...Jaggers is not what Mercer needs. I could see someone like Don Miller, or Jerry Perry doing a great job.

Jaggers has great football knowledge and experience but he burned a lot of bridges....

...Jaggers is not what Mercer needs. I could see someone like Don Miller, or Jerry Perry doing a great job.

 

Jagger's offense would look good with the young talent Mercer has coming up. The 'bridges he burned' are gone and to be honest had people let Jaggers coach and left him alone Mercer would be in much better shape than they are in now. Didn't Mercer win district in his last year there?

People forget that he went 10-2 in '05.....his first year at Mercer...won the first playoff game at Mercer since the '86 year...or maybe '88 was the last year they had won a playoff game? Can't remember..nonetheless..almost 20 years. Thing is...Jaggers took over, went 10-2 with a Mercer team that had lost the 2A player of the year in '04 in Andrew McCloud.

Jaggers has great football knowledge and experience but he burned a lot of bridges....

...Jaggers is not what Mercer needs. I could see someone like Don Miller, or Jerry Perry doing a great job.

 

What has Don Miller ever done as a head coach? No disrespect intended. But, to put his name along with Perry's or Jaggers is not fitting (just sayin').

People forget that he went 10-2 in '05.....his first year at Mercer...won the first playoff game at Mercer since the '86 year...or maybe '88 was the last year they had won a playoff game? Can't remember..nonetheless..almost 20 years. Thing is...Jaggers took over, went 10-2 with a Mercer team that had lost the 2A player of the year in '04 in Andrew McCloud.

 

Personally, I think Jaggers got a gift from the gods. He took over a very talented Mercer team in '05 with 23 seniors and an absolute hog of an O-line that fit the bone to a T. From tackle to tackle Mercer was 300 plus. He did his best coaching at Mercer that first year.

 

Then for '06 he got the blessing of adding a small but extremely talented and fast group of kids from Harrodsburg giving him 27 seniors and 30 juniors and they marched on to a state title. There are a whole lot of coaches that would have won with that team.

 

The next year ('07) they underacheived badly. Returned 30 seniors. He lost the faith of his players and his parents. He was more arogant than ever now that he had a championship and basically spit in the eye of everyone from the administration to his players. A lot of them didn't want to play for him the seniors stayed, as did most of the juniors, but the sophmore and freshmen classes dwindled.

 

In '08 it continued. Everyone was to blame for losing except him. He would go on the radio during the coaches show and blame the parents. Then he would blame the kids. Then he would blame the assistants. I've never seen a head coach who never ever felt he was at fault when his team lost. So the already bad situation spiraled further down.

 

Then in '09 came Mason's turn. Personally I thought he did a solid job. The talent level was so far off from where it had been that he was behind the 8-ball bad. Unfortunately a core of the parents felt like they should be competing for a state championship and had no clue. There was not one player on the '09 team that could have started on the '06 or '07 team, they just didn't have the talent.

 

The'10 showed marked improvement, especially in terms of strength as the weightroom had been a priority for Mason. They started out very competitive and looked pretty good. Then a couple of key injuries (Tailback and QB) and things stagnated and a lot of momentum was lost. Again the parents had unrealistic expectations.

 

Then in '11 came Rains. I only made it to one game this year. I think Rains inherited a more talented team than Mason did, the schedule did not look as tough to me and he managed 1 more win, but he did get a playoff win.

 

Don't get me wrong. The Mercer parents deserve their fair share of the blame here too. The state championship made them think they should be competeing for a championship every year, and if they weren't, it was the coaches fault. Never, they didn't have the talent.

What has Don Miller ever done as a head coach? No disrespect intended. But, to put his name along with Perry's or Jaggers is not fitting (just sayin').

 

Don Miller has Taken a Western Hills Team from 1-10 to a constant force in their district. 2 years ago he lead WH to a 8-4 record (most in school history) and the schools first playoff win. That same year they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the defending state champs (3A) Central by 7 points. Coach Miller has had over 16 Players sign to play college ball in his 6 years. His teams consistently place high in numerous weight meets. He has turned a program that had no tradition into a program that is proud and growing. Coach Miller is a tireless worker who puts the kids and the program first. In addition to his time as a head coach, coach Miller has been the defensive coordinator at Woodford County and Paul Laurence Dunbar, where he was part of numerous District and Regional championship games. Mercer County would be Lucky to have someone Like Don Miller.

Don Miller has Taken a Western Hills Team from 1-10 to a constant force in their district. 2 years ago he lead WH to a 8-4 record (most in school history) and the schools first playoff win. That same year they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the defending state champs (3A) Central by 7 points. Coach Miller has had over 16 Players sign to play college ball in his 6 years. His teams consistently place high in numerous weight meets. He has turned a program that had no tradition into a program that is proud and growing. Coach Miller is a tireless worker who puts the kids and the program first. In addition to his time as a head coach, coach Miller has been the defensive coordinator at Woodford County and Paul Laurence Dunbar, where he was part of numerous District and Regional championship games. Mercer County would be Lucky to have someone Like Don Miller.

 

No disrespect intended and I hate to bust your bubble but there are many coaches that do those basic things everyday. You would have to ask what level of competition his teams are actually defeating? What would you say his signatue win has been to this point? Also, was that 1-10 team his or the guy he took over for? Good luck to coach in his pursuit of the job if he wants it.

No disrespect intended and I hate to bust your bubble but there are many coaches that do those basic things everyday. You would have to ask what level of competition his teams are actually defeating? What would you say his signatue win has been to this point? Also, was that 1-10 team his or the guy he took over for? Good luck to coach in his pursuit of the job if he wants it.

 

I have been coaching High school for 16 years so I do have experience in this field so Im going to completely disagree with you about many coaches doing this everyday. Yes there are a number of coaches who do accomplish these things every year but I will ask you the same question what is their level of competition? All you can do is play your schedule. Western Hills is a 3A school and they obviously play a 3A district but Coach Miller schedules a number of 4A & 5A schools every year. Question for you, Are the only Good coaches the ones who have won a state title? Is this the only measuring stick? There are so many other things that go into being a High School coach.

I have been coaching High school for 16 years so I do have experience in this field so Im going to completely disagree with you about many coaches doing this everyday. Yes there are a number of coaches who do accomplish these things every year but I will ask you the same question what is their level of competition? All you can do is play your schedule. Western Hills is a 3A school and they obviously play a 3A district but Coach Miller schedules a number of 4A & 5A schools every year. Question for you, Are the only Good coaches the ones who have won a state title? Is this the only measuring stick? There are so many other things that go into being a High School coach.

 

 

No. I don't think the only good coaches are the ones that have won a title. Also, I agree there are many other things that go into being a good high school coach. Are you going to answer my other two questions: Who had the 1-10 season? Who was his signature win against. Those are two good questions. Just curious.

No. I don't think the only good coaches are the ones that have won a title. Also, I agree there are many other things that go into being a good high school coach. Are you going to answer my other two questions: Who had the 1-10 season? Who was his signature win against. Those are two good questions. Just curious.

 

The 1-10 team was his. 2008 WHHS beat Franklin County (9 win team previous year), Anderson County (10 win team previous year), and Henry County (9 win team previous year). All 3 were In the top of their respective districts 2007 and 2008. Building a strong foundation of toughness, dedication and pride are whats important. One last note and I will let this die. Current UK linebackers coach Chuck Smith was also a great assistant coach who started small and was given great opportunities and we all know what that lead to. Signature wins are great and do wonders for a program but they are not the defining moment in all successful coaches careers.

Don is at a level where I would say he is better than most coaches in this state. Is he top 25? No. Is he top 50? Maybe. Is western hills a good job? NO. Could he do better at Mercer? Again, maybe. Is he as good as Preston, probably not.