I do not have a name but I would like to see a couple of things in the new head coach. Please remember I am a Mike Flynn supporter, and did not want to see him go.

 

 

First, a cohesive coaching staff. There seemed to be a lot of internal turmoil amongst the three coaches. I do not think that TJ, Steve, and Mike respected each other. I would like a head coach that valued his assistants opinion and assistants that felt valued enough to give that opinion.

 

Second, a coach with a little fire in his belly. Not looking for a stomping, screaming mad man on the sideline, but a coach that lets the officials know he is there. A coach that shows the kids he has their back. If the NKAC gave out a sportsmanship award this year - HHS should have been a lock.

 

Third, a coach that is able to continue Mike's legacy of having the kids play hard. This years team gave effort. No one could question their desire.

 

Finally, a coach that has realistic expectations for the program.

 

Couldn't agree with you more on this one, maybe if the next coach doesn't have this trait they could always hire Kevin Nieporte as an assistant. I'm sure he would get some refs fired up.

 

Just curious what you think are realistic expectations for this program?

The main reason I think Steve qualifies for the position is I have known him a long time. I know how much he knows about the game of basketball. He is one of the best players to ever come out of Highlands, and could be the best point guard to ever play there. He played at a Div 1 level, and is a very likeable person. He gets along we'll with the players, and if he's in charge he has the last say in the matter. He can and will work with these kids in the off season, especially the guard play. He just understands the game of basketball. But ultimately it comes down to Dale Mueller and the principle.

QUOTE=FTTS;4631863]Couldn't agree with you more on this one, maybe if the next coach doesn't have this trait they could always hire Kevin Nieporte as an assistant. I'm sure he would get some refs fired up.

 

Just curious what you think are realistic expectations for this program?

 

 

 

To play hard and compete with everyone on the schedule. Don't come in the expectations of returning HHS to Rupp in the near future. These are great kids that will do their best, but their level of play is not up to what we all saw played at BOK earlier this month.

 

 

The landscape of N Ky basketball has changed over the last decade. No longer does HHS get the bball only kid to transfer to their school, now he transfers out. No longer can a group of footballers compete at the highest level with kids playing bball year round. Teams like CCH, HC, Cooper, and Newport have benefitted from really good players choosing to enroll at their school.

QUOTE=FTTS;4631863]Couldn't agree with you more on this one, maybe if the next coach doesn't have this trait they could always hire Kevin Nieporte as an assistant. I'm sure he would get some refs fired up.

 

Just curious what you think are realistic expectations for this program?

 

To play hard and compete with everyone on the schedule. Don't come in the expectations of returning HHS to Rupp in the near future. These are great kids that will do their best, but their level of play is not up to what we all saw played at BOK earlier this month.

 

The landscape of N Ky basketball has changed over the last decade. No longer does HHS get the bball only kid to transfer to their school, now he transfers out. No longer can a group of footballers compete at the highest level with kids playing bball year round. Teams like CCH, HC, Cooper, and Newport have benefitted from really good players choosing to enroll at their school.

 

Couldn't agree more! I think SBll, JOAT and I have a good grasp of the basketball kids coming through! Most of them are either football/basketball kids or baseball/basketball kids. They work hard at their games but can't commit year round. Many of them will work on both! We have not had any strong transfers join the program. The kid that can get them to the next level.

^Well said. Now if you can get the community on board with your sentiment to examine the basketball coach, team and climate with some clarity and reality, the next coach will be successful.

Cole Davis-Roberts left after frosh bball. Big, athletic, left-handed, and although still figuing the the game out a little, he would have fit as a big forward or possible 5 off the bench. A role like that is easier to groom with a kid with less ball history than a guard . He went to Creen's first camp at IU with my boy a couple summers ago. The other loss was Alex Shephard (sp?). Build similar to Parker Harris. I thought he showed a lot of potential and improvement last year. He was more of a 2 growing into a 3 or 4 last year. Pretty shot, and calm nerves.

 

And I agree a program wants, and needs commitment from the kids. I know they both love soccer, but I also know they liked bball as well. And neither of the families are the types to micromanage coaches, or probably even read BGP.

 

Right or wrong, in the Birds environment the standard set by football, (and soccer I believe -- not much knowledge there), is competiitiveness AND fun. Dale is a master motivator, and because he is so darn happy, it sets a tone for asst coaches and players. I don't agree that all the enjoyment of the sport comes solely from winning. Kinda like money and happiness I suppose. It definitely helps. Drill sergeant technique will be a difficult sell in HHS bball. Toughness can still result without that. No one ever claims Birds footballers aren't knocking heads.

 

I also have to disagree with this comment. Cole Davis Roberts is one of the best soccer players in KY and spends his time player soccer in the winter and will probably get a big time college scholarship. His basketball skills were limited to playing the 5 spot and since he hasn't grown much since 8th grade he isn't taller than the guys he is playing against. He has always been soccer first. Alex is also soccer first and didn't really enjoy basketball. He had a decent shot, but is hard to tell if he could have produced enough to make a difference on the varsity level. He saw the player ahead of him and elected not to play this year.

To play hard and compete with everyone on the schedule. Don't come in the expectations of returning HHS to Rupp in the near future. These are great kids that will do their best, but their level of play is not up to what we all saw played at BOK earlier this month.

 

The landscape of N Ky basketball has changed over the last decade. No longer does HHS get the bball only kid to transfer to their school, now he transfers out. No longer can a group of footballers compete at the highest level with kids playing bball year round. Teams like CCH, HC, Cooper, and Newport have benefitted from really good players choosing to enroll at their school.

 

Couldn't agree more! I think SBll, JOAT and I have a good grasp of the basketball kids coming through! Most of them are either football/basketball kids or baseball/basketball kids. They work hard at their games but can't commit year round. Many of them will work on both! We have not had any strong transfers join the program. The kid that can get them to the next level.

 

Hire Draud and the basketball only guys will come too.

I've read this entire thread, but know nothing about HHS basketball;

Many posters have expressed an interest in a basketball coach that can

recruit some football players to participate. Wouldn't that place your AD/football coach in a juxtaposition or conflict of interest when selecting the coach? Not a pot-stirrer, just curious.

Are there any clear front runners for this job?

Are there any clear front runners for this job?

 

Coach Shields has been the clear front runner for years, but he doesn't want it.

Coach Shields has been the clear front runner for years, but he doesn't want it.

 

I can agree with you on that, Coach Shields is a legend. Let me rephrase myself, who is the clear front runner for this job of interested candidates. Haha.

How about Jeff Trame? You would be hard pressed to find a better x's and o's coach. He probably is not interested, but just a thought.

If you are going to " rebuild" a program why would you even think of doing that with someone from the current staff?

It is time to wipe the slate clean and get a staff that wants to rejuvenate this program!

The program needs new blood that is going to come in and reorganize this program from the 6th grade middle school team thru the Varsity team.

There are plenty of great athletes in the system and there is no reason that the Basketball team should not be in the top 5 year after year in Northern Ky.

If you are going to " rebuild" a program why would you even think of doing that with someone from the current staff?

It is time to wipe the slate clean and get a staff that wants to rejuvenate this program!

The program needs new blood that is going to come in and reorganize this program from the 6th grade middle school team thru the Varsity team.

There are plenty of great athletes in the system and there is no reason that the Basketball team should not be in the top 5 year after year in Northern Ky.

 

Athletes wont put you in the Top 5 dedicated Basketball players will do this and there just isnt enough of them at Highlands anymore. Maybe a new coach from the outside can figure it out but I highly doubt it. There is a huge challenge awaiting whoever takes over the program.

I'm hearing some of the same names with the Highlands opening as the Ryle one. This may be the job that jumps at these candidates quicker so they have first choice.