A. Were the problems at Henderson at Duffer's feet or at Tom's? I don't recall if Duffer was the head coach and his Dad an assistant at the time, but I think that was the case. If so, some could argue that Duffer was responsible regardless of who caused the problem and I'd understand that argument. But as a very young head coach, it would have been very difficult to control the actions of your Dad as an assistant coach.

 

B. I believe that people can be given a second chance. They're not entitled to it, but under certain circumstances, it can be given. Regardless of whether Duffer made the mistake or his Dad did, I'm not of the type that believes people can't learn from their mistakes; quite the contrary.

 

Admittedly, I haven't seen Duffer since he graduated from Highlands and have zero idea what type of coach or person he's developed into. But from what I recall of him, he was a very nice, polite kid that was a typical coach's son when he played (ie, a coach on the field type that understood the whole picture of what was going on vs. just his assignment) and had a very high "football IQ".

 

Duffer was the head coach and Tom was an "Assistant."

 

Regardless of feelings, a young man lost his life and it was pretty much from decisions his coaches made. Those are just the facts without an attempt at blame or judgment.

I ask before and now with some time having gone by I am going ask again, how good of a job is this job today? It seems to me like it would be a tough sell because expectations are so high and there is the success of Boyle to contend with plus no teaching position to be offered but having the AD job that could be offered as a package deal might make it alot more attractive.

 

To be honest I think it is still an attractive position. Always will be. Just my take.

I don't believe he should ever be entitled to a second chance coaching kids. He was the head coach on a team that ignored the KHSAA heat index rule and a kid lost his life. As the head coach you are responsible for the actions of anyone on your staff as it relates to their actions with the team.

HENDERSON, Ky. (AP) — Football coaches and school officials were named in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in the death of a western Kentucky high school player's death last summer.

 

Ryan Owens, 16, collapsed July 19, shortly after practice at Henderson County High School, and died. A state medical examiner found that Owens suffered from a heart defect that was exacerbated by the heat.

Randy and Marla Owens filed the lawsuit in Henderson County on behalf of their son. The lawsuit alleged "gross negligence" in his death. The lawsuit contends the defendants "ordered Ryan Owens to continue athletic activity wearing helmet and gear after reporting difficulty breathing, kept him outside in extreme heat in helmet and gear for substantial period of time after evidencing warning signs of heat stress."

 

Named in the lawsuit are assistant football coach Tom Duffy Sr., head football coach Tom Duffy Jr., Athletics Director Jerry Mezur, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, the Henderson County Board of Education, local school superintendent Thomas L. Richey, high school Principal Bruce Swanson and three unnamed assistant coaches.

 

Calls to numbers listed in Richey's and Swanson's names were not returned Tuesday night, and there were no listings in Henderson for Mezur or the Duffys.

 

In September, school board officials said they had cleared the football coaching staff of any wrongdoing in Owens' death.

Getting a D1 job is much easier said than done.

 

That it is, but making 6 figures to be a position coach and more to be a coordinator isn't too shabby, either.

That it is, but making 6 figures to be a position coach and more to be a coordinator isn't too shabby, either.

 

I understand. My point was that getting a job coaching D1 football is not easy.

HENDERSON, Ky. (AP) — Football coaches and school officials were named in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in the death of a western Kentucky high school player's death last summer.

 

Ryan Owens, 16, collapsed July 19, shortly after practice at Henderson County High School, and died. A state medical examiner found that Owens suffered from a heart defect that was exacerbated by the heat.

Randy and Marla Owens filed the lawsuit in Henderson County on behalf of their son. The lawsuit alleged "gross negligence" in his death. The lawsuit contends the defendants "ordered Ryan Owens to continue athletic activity wearing helmet and gear after reporting difficulty breathing, kept him outside in extreme heat in helmet and gear for substantial period of time after evidencing warning signs of heat stress."

 

Named in the lawsuit are assistant football coach Tom Duffy Sr., head football coach Tom Duffy Jr., Athletics Director Jerry Mezur, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, the Henderson County Board of Education, local school superintendent Thomas L. Richey, high school Principal Bruce Swanson and three unnamed assistant coaches.

 

Calls to numbers listed in Richey's and Swanson's names were not returned Tuesday night, and there were no listings in Henderson for Mezur or the Duffys.

 

In September, school board officials said they had cleared the football coaching staff of any wrongdoing in Owens' death.

 

I don't recall the result of this lawsuit. Was it settled out of court, found guilty or innocent? Any idea

I don't believe he should ever be entitled to a second chance coaching kids. He was the head coach on a team that ignored the KHSAA heat index rule and a kid lost his life. As the head coach you are responsible for the actions of anyone on your staff as it relates to their actions with the team.

I have another one for you Camel, I believe you owe the Duffys an apology.

July 26, 2006|LARRY VAUGHT

Not only that, his unexpected death left many unanswered questions. Was it heat related (the temperature was 82 degrees with a heat index of 88)? Did other non-football factors contribute to his death?

 

"In light of the recent events in Henderson, it's tough to come to grips with the fact that if they had not acted then, I would not have made it," Clay said. "I suppose the lesson here is that it doesn't make any difference how good of shape you are in, heat exhaustion can happen and it is a killer.

 

"It's not going away. It's a fact of modern football at every level, and in any other sport performed in sweltering conditions. It's a critical safety issue that needs to be addressed. It is as deadly as riding a motorcycle without a helmet."

 

Remember, Duffer Duffy was doing nothing wrong. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association recommends mandatory water breaks, and athletic teams must halt activity when the heat index hits 105. Coaches are required to monitor and record the heat index at practices and games.

I have another one for you Camel, I believe you owe the Duffys an apology.

July 26, 2006|LARRY VAUGHT

Not only that, his unexpected death left many unanswered questions. Was it heat related (the temperature was 82 degrees with a heat index of 88)? Did other non-football factors contribute to his death?

 

"In light of the recent events in Henderson, it's tough to come to grips with the fact that if they had not acted then, I would not have made it," Clay said. "I suppose the lesson here is that it doesn't make any difference how good of shape you are in, heat exhaustion can happen and it is a killer.

 

"It's not going away. It's a fact of modern football at every level, and in any other sport performed in sweltering conditions. It's a critical safety issue that needs to be addressed. It is as deadly as riding a motorcycle without a helmet."

 

Remember, Duffer Duffy was doing nothing wrong. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association recommends mandatory water breaks, and athletic teams must halt activity when the heat index hits 105. Coaches are required to monitor and record the heat index at practices and games.

 

I can't remember. What did the lawsuit find was said to the kid when he was complaining of being lightheaded? Was he told to stop and take off his helmet immediately? Was there a payout in the lawsuit? I do know that everyone I know that played for Tom Duffy didn't believe for a second that he was not responsible in any way. Of course, that is for the courts to find out, and Tom Duffy to know. I do think Duffer was on a raw end, but that is part of being a head coach. You are responsible. It doesn't matter what the temperature is, if a kid is showing sign of heat illness, he is supposed to stop activity immediately.

I really tried to find the end result of the lawsuit online but had no luck. Based on the fact that he coached 2 more years of high school ball before going to college makes me think nothing happened.

Parents of Henderson County football player settle wrongful death lawsuit » Evansville Courier & Press

Parents of Henderson County football player settle wrongful death lawsuit | Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorney

 

That was settled with KHSAA and also dismissed suit against the administrators. The article says they suit against the personnel would still go forward. That article was from a year ago so maybe it hasn't gone to trial yet or possibly settled.

That was settled with KHSAA and also dismissed suit against the administrators. The article says they suit against the personnel would still go forward. That article was from a year ago so maybe it hasn't gone to trial yet or possibly settled.

 

No, the article interchanges present-tense and past-tense but if you read it carefully, the whole case was settled. The amount paid by the KHSAA was disclosed because of open-records laws. The rest is under seal, apparently.

Case Closed, Family Searches for Closure

Larry Vaught's take.

 

Vaught's Views: Who will be the next football coach at Danville? Here are some names to think about - centralkynews.com

I am 99.999999999999999% sure Marty Jaggers will not be applying for the Danville job. Larry Vaught missed on that one.