to the above post (which my computer will not allow me to quote for some reason, my apologies):

 

There are several factors that make it "set up for failure" in my opinion.

 

-A small school really has the burden of sharing athletes. Everyone is well aware that in the last two decades it has become necessary that if you want to succeed at a sport you can't only play competitively during the season. When football and baseball have so much more tradition at he school and these athletes come to make a decision on what they want to play, they choose those two 4 times out of 5.

 

-The exceptional athletes that do decide to play Beechwood basketball will bust their tail during the game, and maybe during in season practice, but that's all. There is no way to compete at the division II level with that attitude. That is why you saw low numbers this year on the basketball team. Miller being around NKY and Beechwood basketball for the better part of two decades was well aware of this. he raised the commitment level (greater emphasis on summer workouts, playing kids that worked hard, etc.). If you did not want to work hard, you probably had no interest in playing under him. It is my understanding that Wera, the parents of the boys who did not play, and the multi-sport parents were VERY critical of this.

 

-Having to share so many athletes and not receive these athletes until after football season, sometime just one week before the season opens.

 

-Go through and read the Walton thread and the opinions had of their parents. Now puts those parents on steroids and welcome to Fort Mitchell. They don't understand why their son can no longer compete with "Div II team X" after competing with them throughout elementary and middle school. Could it be that "Div II team X's" players have been working on basketball year around? Could be that they are still getting shots up during their other sports seasons? Could it be they had more practice time because trinity wiped their nose with their football team in round 1 of the playoffs? Of course not! It's that knucklehead of a coach over there! rabble rabble rabble.....

 

Beechwood has the horses to compete at the division II level if the bar is raised, AND IF THE COMMUNITY REALLY WANTS IT. Not pie in the sky, wouldn't that be great if we had it, but willing to put in the work and sacrifice to get to that level. If you instill an expected level of commitment it trickles down to the middle school. Those kids get the message, and it breaks the "Beechwood Basketball stigma" that has loitered the hallways for decades. Miller did not even get two full years (only one summer) to try and do this. My guess is Suzy Wera is already trying to move back down to division III. Something the kids that quit probably all want, but the boys that put in all the work have no interest in.

 

To Crosley's last paragraphs about the business world, you are right, this is common. What is also common is the business person looks back and realizes they had no idea what they were doing, and were simply trying to "make a name for themselves" or "assert their authority" and cut off their nose despite their face.

Yes ONE in which went on to be a DIII All-American. Shumate had some talent but his kids also were confidant and believe in what he was telling them. Very good coach in my Opinion

How can anyone say Shumate is a good coach. What has he ever done and look at his record at the Indiana school. Why is he leaving the Indiana school so soon. Why would he want to go back to Beechwood when he already left there once?

Horace...I think you are on target with nearly every thing in your post above. I agree with you on these.

 

1. First, I agree they have to stay D2. Fix the schedule to put some wins in there and build confidence and success.

 

2. The second gym is a must to build the program. That will allow more gym team for the middle school on down and bring more focus and interest to basketball. It will help develop kids and generate interest. You have opened my eyes about the value and need for that gym. You are right about the young kids getting little practice time because there is no second gym and I agree it hurts development of those players.

 

The one comment you made that we may not agree on is how to handle the basketball players who are multi sport athletes. If that multi sport player is still better than the kid who plays nothing but basketball and didn't miss a work out, you play the multi sport player. You have to play the best players. Correct me if I am wrong but you seemed to be saying that the kids who "work hard" at basketball should get some preference. I disagree with that. If after all that "hard work" you still aren't as good as the other guy, then the other guy has to play.

I know I am poking the bear with this question, but I was hoping the Guru could explain what he means by “the program is setup for failure”. Is it because they play a Division II schedule? I know it’s not an apples comparison (and I stress that it’s not apples to apples) but boys’ football, baseball + girls volleyball and soccer don’t seem to be complaining about playing those same schools. In fact, those same teams seem to be doing quite well.

 

Also, it’s my guess that Suzy Wera (AD) wants to give each sport every chance to succeed. It could just be that she feels this is her year to make the personnel changes to give them that chance. This happens all the time in the corporate world – (1) a new business leader comes in (2) evaluates what he/she inherited (3) makes the changes that he/she feels is necessary.

 

Crosley, Horace nailed it but I will add this, if in fact Suzy Wera fired Micheal Miller on her own that should speak volumes. Answer this question everyone, would/could Suzy Wera fire Noel Rash on her own?

VoR, not what I was saying at all. Are you implying Miller did this?

 

If two kids are very similar in ability, play the kid that works harder. But what coach wouldn't?

Wa Wa obviously you know nothing of the coaching situation at beechwood.

1. Michael Romes never played for Shumate, Brian Romes did. 2. During his 4 years at Beechwood they were 55-1 agaisnt the NKAC teams. JV lost only 3 games to those same teams. 3. In order to become more competitive in post season Beechwood had to play stronger teams night in and night out. Shumate and his staff made that happen along with administration. 4. As far as his success in Indiana, he won 9 games this year with a team that preaseason probably should have won 2 or 3. The 3A state champions were in his conference in Greensburg. Batesville lost 2 games all year, both 2 Greensburg. The guy can coach! 5. People do not really know the main reasons why he left Beechwood when he did, if you know him ask him, but the team was not in rebuilding mode. He left 3 or 4 returning starters coming back the 1st year. Yes schedule was tougher, but Shumate had the kids playing at a high level and they liked playing for him. Chemistry says alot for a program!!! It is not always just X's and O's!!!

Meant to say NKAC Div. III teams. in prior post

Wa Wa obviously you know nothing of the coaching situation at beechwood.

1. Michael Romes never played for Shumate, Brian Romes did. 2. During his 4 years at Beechwood they were 55-1 agaisnt the NKAC teams. JV lost only 3 games to those same teams. 3. In order to become more competitive in post season Beechwood had to play stronger teams night in and night out. Shumate and his staff made that happen along with administration. 4. As far as his success in Indiana, he won 9 games this year with a team that preaseason probably should have won 2 or 3. The 3A state champions were in his conference in Greensburg. Batesville lost 2 games all year, both 2 Greensburg. The guy can coach! 5. People do not really know the main reasons why he left Beechwood when he did, if you know him ask him, but the team was not in rebuilding mode. He left 3 or 4 returning starters coming back the 1st year. Yes schedule was tougher, but Shumate had the kids playing at a high level and they liked playing for him. Chemistry says alot for a program!!! It is not always just X's and O's!!!

 

What in the heck are you talking about?? I did not say or even mention anything about any of the Romes kids. Go read again, George Mikan.

Edited March 25, 201313 yr by Randy Parker
Rule 2

Meant to say NKAC Div. III teams. in prior post

 

Are you sure?

Crosley, Horace nailed it but I will add this, if in fact Suzy Wera fired Micheal Miller on her own that should speak volumes. Answer this question everyone, would/could Suzy Wera fire Noel Rash on her own?

 

I've always understood that in general (ie I'm not speaking specifically to any one school) it's the school principal who has the final say on hiring/firing.

Wa Wa obviously you know nothing of the coaching situation at beechwood.

1. Michael Romes never played for Shumate, Brian Romes did. 2. During his 4 years at Beechwood they were 55-1 agaisnt the NKAC teams. JV lost only 3 games to those same teams. 3. In order to become more competitive in post season Beechwood had to play stronger teams night in and night out. Shumate and his staff made that happen along with administration. 4. As far as his success in Indiana, he won 9 games this year with a team that preaseason probably should have won 2 or 3. The 3A state champions were in his conference in Greensburg. Batesville lost 2 games all year, both 2 Greensburg. The guy can coach! 5. People do not really know the main reasons why he left Beechwood when he did, if you know him ask him, but the team was not in rebuilding mode. He left 3 or 4 returning starters coming back the 1st year. Yes schedule was tougher, but Shumate had the kids playing at a high level and they liked playing for him. Chemistry says alot for a program!!! It is not always just X's and O's!!!

 

George Mikan, much of this information you have provided here is wrong. It almost seems as if you are Mr Schumates agent. Nothing against Mr Schumate but, Mr Schumates record at South Dearborn where he went after he left Beechwood was 3-18 first year, and 9-12 as you posted his second year. So why would Beechwood be interested in a coach who left, went on and produced a 12-30 record over two years and was destroyed by teams in that league? He was the head coach at Beechwood and then the disaster he finds himself in now. He has applied for numerous positions in NKY and failed to get any, hmmm. Lets not blow him up to be all that. He seems to be a decent volunteer coach on past teams.

South Dearborn could have Rick Pitino as there head coach and it would be a disaster! Just don't bash the coach who gave Beechwood there best success, and I never said he wanted to come back to Beechwood.

Until Beechwood makes at least a half hearted attempt to put time and money into the basketball program (gym upgrade, administration support) it will be a tall task for any coach to find success there.

he raised the commitment level (greater emphasis on summer workouts, playing kids that worked hard, etc.). If you did not want to work hard, you probably had no interest in playing under him. It is my understanding that Wera, the parents of the boys who did not play, and the multi-sport parents were VERY critical of this.

 

 

VoR, not what I was saying at all. Are you implying Miller did this?

 

If two kids are very similar in ability, play the kid that works harder. But what coach wouldn't?

 

The top quote above is what caused me to comment about playing kids that worked hard versus multi-sport athletes. That comment seemed to say that working hard gave some preference.

Crosley, Horace nailed it but I will add this, if in fact Suzy Wera fired Micheal Miller on her own that should speak volumes. Answer this question everyone, would/could Suzy Wera fire Noel Rash on her own?

 

I can confirm that Wera did it on her own. Zimmerman was not in the meeting and did not know about it until after it happened. My understanding is that Wera is the district wide AD and reports directly to the Super and not the principal. Thus, if she wants to fire Rash -- she can!

 

Also, since this blog is apparently subject to the Ky. Courts Rules of Evidence I will point out that this information is not hersay. Although I'm not going to broadcast my source on here.