I am going to assume that most on here are not involved in the St. Henry program. So many posters on here always talk about how it shouldn't be just about winning. Well, the St. Henry program has suffered great attrition under Mr. Coburn. There are players that have played many minutes under him over the years that have refused to return to the program due to his ideas about how to run a basketball program. Check out the roster - only 3 seniors and 2 juniors in a school that has a dozen or more basketball players starting as freshmen each year and does not have to compete against other sports for players. This was a good decision made by the St. Henry administration although made too late for many girls.

 

Coburn did a good job with what he had. I'm sure some girls opted to play volleyball instead of basketball. Players get weeded out from their freshman to senior year for various reasons. Most schools have 10 or so freshmen playing freshmen ball but only a handful sticks with it through their senior year. That's the way it is and St. Henry is no different.

Without disclosing my source, I can say that I am very well affiliated with the program at St. Henry (and no, I am not a sophomore parent). Many of you have your outside opinions on the case, but there is a difference between an outside opinion and actually being affiliated with the program. I will be the first to say that Brian Coburn is a genuinely nice man who truly did care about coaching. However, I do not believe that he is the best coach for the job. I wouldn't put the blame on the sophomore parents as controversy with the coaching staff has been present in the previous years. Although Brian cared tremendously about the program, I would not say that he had all of the qualities of a great coach. I know a formal player at St. Henry, and I trust her views on the situation wholeheartedly. He seemed to lack the ability to make mid-game adjustments and favoritism seemed to be an issue. Much of the program's success was a result of the players' talent and his coaching style was not one based on a positive, encouraging, and enthusiastic environment. Again, I'm not bashing Brian as an individual because he really is a nice guy, but I disagree with the public's opinion that he was a phenomenal coach because of the experiences I have had myself and from the views of my source.

Coburn did a good job with what he had. I'm sure some girls opted to play volleyball instead of basketball. Players get weeded out from their freshman to senior year for various reasons. Most schools have 10 or so freshmen playing freshmen ball but only a handful sticks with it through their senior year. That's the way it is and St. Henry is no different.

 

There was a good freshman player this year who quit playing after Christmas because they did not want to miss club volleyball workouts.

If Mr Coburn's "ideas" about how to run a basketball program helped contribute to lifting St Henry out of the cellar, experience consistent success, obtain the most wins in a single season and the ability to consistently compete ( I mean really COMPTETE) with significantly larger area schools like Boone, Ryle etc- then by all accounts he succeeded.

"Does not have to compete with other sports for players"? Uh- let's see, volleyball, soccer, softball...what are you talking about? Of course they had those other sports to contend with. St Henry is no different than any other high school in that respect- only smaller which magnifies the situation due to a smaller population.

Be honest- Mr Coburn had a stacked deck from day one. The status quo administration never fully supported him- and for a man who put as much time and experienced as much success as he did, he walked on eggshells every year. Shouldn't have to do that and the administration is flat out wrong here- as are the short sighted parents who re-opened the rift. They may not have fired the gun, but they sure as heck loaded it.

Without disclosing my source, I can say that I am very well affiliated with the program at St. Henry (and no, I am not a sophomore parent). Many of you have your outside opinions on the case, but there is a difference between an outside opinion and actually being affiliated with the program. I will be the first to say that Brian Coburn is a genuinely nice man who truly did care about coaching. However, I do not believe that he is the best coach for the job. I wouldn't put the blame on the sophomore parents as controversy with the coaching staff has been present in the previous years. Although Brian cared tremendously about the program, I would not say that he had all of the qualities of a great coach. I know a formal player at St. Henry, and I trust her views on the situation wholeheartedly. He seemed to lack the ability to make mid-game adjustments and favoritism seemed to be an issue. Much of the program's success was a result of the players' talent and his coaching style was not one based on a positive, encouraging, and enthusiastic environment. Again, I'm not bashing Brian as an individual because he really is a nice guy, but I disagree with the public's opinion that he was a phenomenal coach because of the experiences I have had myself and from the views of my source.

 

So you're implying that for the consistent years of losing leading up to Coburn's arrival they were devoid of talent and that a year after he arrives, St Henry's suddenly finds a wealth of talent?

That's convenient.

No one is saying he is a "phenomenal" coach. But at a school as small as St Henry with as unsupportive an administration as they have toward girls basketball, he certainly exceeded expectations.

So you're implying that for the consistent years of losing leading up to Coburn's arrival they were devoid of talent and that a year after he arrives, St Henry's suddenly finds a wealth of talent?

That's convenient.

No one is saying he is a "phenomenal" coach. But at a school as small as St Henry with as unsupportive an administration as they have toward girls basketball, he certainly exceeded expectations.

 

I'm not saying that there was no talent prior to him coming to St. Henry because there absolutely was. He was definitely better than the previous coach there, but what I am saying is that people may be over exaggerating the extent to which he was a good coach. Nice man, not the best coach. Coaches get hired and fired all the time.

I'm not saying that there was no talent prior to him coming to St. Henry because there absolutely was. He was definitely better than the previous coach there, but what I am saying is that people may be over exaggerating the extent to which he was a good coach. Nice man, not the best coach. Coaches get hired and fired all the time.

 

Then for the sake of the girls there and the girls coming in, they had better hit an absolute home run with the next coach since the administration has basically set a precedent and allowed past politics and intrusive parents to call the shots.

I'll be pleasantly shocked and come here to eat my crow if the new coach is anywhere near the level of Coburn.

 

And while I'm thinking about it- as a competent employer, if you know you are letting someone go in advance (as St Henry did) wouldn't you have the replacement already in the fold? That has not happened here. You think for a minute the administration would make such a move with the girls volleyball team? That tells me all I need to know about the administrations commitment to making the girls basketball team the best that it can be and it perpetuates the notion that they will always be just "content" to field a decent ball team every now and then. There is a pattern - They could be so much more ( in all areas) but choose to keep the status quo. Perfect example is the decision not to field a football team despite having it virtually handed to them on a silver platter.

Then for the sake of the girls there and the girls coming in, they had better hit an absolute home run with the next coach since the administration has basically set a precedent and allowed past politics and intrusive parents to call the shots.

I'll be pleasantly shocked and come here to eat my crow if the new coach is anywhere near the level of Coburn.

 

And while I'm thinking about it- as a competent employer, if you know you are letting someone go in advance (as St Henry did) wouldn't you have the replacement already in the fold? That has not happened here. You think for a minute the administration would make such a move with the girls volleyball team? That tells me all I need to know about the administrations commitment to making the girls basketball team the best that it can be and it perpetuates the notion that they will always be just "content" to field a decent ball team every now and then. There is a pattern - They could be so much more ( in all areas) but choose to keep the status quo. Perfect example is the decision not to field a football team despite having it virtually handed to them on a silver platter.

 

I'm still confused as to why volleyball and now football are being brought up in this conversation? This is about the girls BASKETBALL. I'm interested in why you believe Brian Coburn to be such an irreplaceable coach? Because from what you are saying it sounds as though you believe that it would be hard to find someone as good as Brian. Which in my opinion I disagree with.

I'm still confused as to why volleyball and now football are being brought up in this conversation? This is about the girls BASKETBALL. I'm interested in why you believe Brian Coburn to be such an irreplaceable coach? Because from what you are saying it sounds as though you believe that it would be hard to find someone as good as Brian. Which in my opinion I disagree with.

 

I bring up girls volleyball because in my opinion, that program is supported and nurtured to be the best by the administration and basketball (girls basketball) is not. And again (in my opinion) this decision supports that opinion.

I only brought up football as an example of the larger attitude of the St Henry admin -that they are perfectly content to keep the status quo - never, God forbid, try to put themselves out there to (gasp!) actually grow and improve.

I'd like to know the metrics by which the new coach should measured. What defines "success" to the St Henry administration? What defines "success" from the folks on here who support the decision to fire Coburn?

I'm not saying that there was no talent prior to him coming to St. Henry because there absolutely was. He was definitely better than the previous coach there, but what I am saying is that people may be over exaggerating the extent to which he was a good coach. Nice man, not the best coach. Coaches get hired and fired all the time.

 

I was a real skeptic when they hired him and thought it was a mistake. I now have to say that he did a good job and grew as a coach. No, he is not the best coach in NKY but he's not the worst. His team did win games and that's all that really matters.

Without disclosing my source, I can say that I am very well affiliated with the program at St. Henry (and no, I am not a sophomore parent). Many of you have your outside opinions on the case, but there is a difference between an outside opinion and actually being affiliated with the program. I will be the first to say that Brian Coburn is a genuinely nice man who truly did care about coaching. However, I do not believe that he is the best coach for the job. I wouldn't put the blame on the sophomore parents as controversy with the coaching staff has been present in the previous years. Although Brian cared tremendously about the program, I would not say that he had all of the qualities of a great coach. I know a formal player at St. Henry, and I trust her views on the situation wholeheartedly. He seemed to lack the ability to make mid-game adjustments and favoritism seemed to be an issue. Much of the program's success was a result of the players' talent and his coaching style was not one based on a positive, encouraging, and enthusiastic environment. Again, I'm not bashing Brian as an individual because he really is a nice guy, but I disagree with the public's opinion that he was a phenomenal coach because of the experiences I have had myself and from the views of my source.

 

That one made me laugh...the best program in the 9th Region has a coach that could be described the same way! No affiliation with the program, but with the talent I saw St. Henry went as far as they could. A big up from where they were. Now back to the cellar I suppose. Well as long as they win those coveted "A" tack and field state championships all is well.

If Mr Coburn's "ideas" about how to run a basketball program helped contribute to lifting St Henry out of the cellar, experience consistent success, obtain the most wins in a single season and the ability to consistently compete ( I mean really COMPTETE) with significantly larger area schools like Boone, Ryle etc- then by all accounts he succeeded.

"Does not have to compete with other sports for players"? Uh- let's see, volleyball, soccer, softball...what are you talking about? Of course they had those other sports to contend with. St Henry is no different than any other high school in that respect- only smaller which magnifies the situation due to a smaller population.

Be honest- Mr Coburn had a stacked deck from day one. The status quo administration never fully supported him- and for a man who put as much time and experienced as much success as he did, he walked on eggshells every year. Shouldn't have to do that and the administration is flat out wrong here- as are the short sighted parents who re-opened the rift. They may not have fired the gun, but they sure as heck loaded it.

 

1) He may have "competed" with the bigger schools but I'm not sure he ever beat them. Also didn't advance in the All A State in any year as far as I know.

2) He did not have to compete with other sports in the SAME SEASON. Yes, he had to compete select sports but all schools have that issue.

3) I don't know that the administration at St. Henry supports any girls sports (excpeting volleyball). So what? It wasn't like they were looking to fire him from day one.

 

The bottom line is unless you have been around the program for all of his years there, you do not understand the degree to which he did not foster a good environment for all the players. Some yes. Most no. And I am not just talking about playing time. There were starters on past teams that wanted him gone years ago. Glad things worked for your daughter but the same could not be said for other daughters (up to and including this year). Sorry you can't handle the truth.

1) He may have "competed" with the bigger schools but I'm not sure he ever beat them. Also didn't advance in the All A State in any year as far as I know.

2) He did not have to compete with other sports in the SAME SEASON. Yes, he had to compete select sports but all schools have that issue.

3) I don't know that the administration at St. Henry supports any girls sports (excpeting volleyball). So what? It wasn't like they were looking to fire him from day one.

 

The bottom line is unless you have been around the program for all of his years there, you do not understand the degree to which he did not foster a good environment for all the players. Some yes. Most no. And I am not just talking about playing time. There were starters on past teams that wanted him gone years ago. Glad things worked for your daughter but the same could not be said for other daughters (up to and including this year). Sorry you can't handle the truth.

 

I too am very close to the basketball program under Coach Coburn’s run, am a parent of a former player, and been around and talked to many former players. Every one that I have known has had a very positive experience with the basketball program (my daughter included). In my experience Coach Coburn has always put the overall best interests of the players first and success on the court second.

 

In my opinion Coach Coburn is a very good coach and will be hard to replace at St. Henry. The systems Coach Coburn ran were specifically designed to help a small school compete with large schools. These strategies helped to even the playing field and helped St. Henry remain competitive. I’ll never forget the 2012 regional semifinal. Boone Co. had I believe 2 future D1 players & 2 future D2 players – including Ms. Basketball, yet St. Henry competed throughout the game and trailed by only 2 points with 3 minutes remaining in the game. Looking at the KHSAA website they have beaten many good teams as well such as Ryle, Assumption, Conner, NCC, and Highlands among others. They didn’t win them all, but won many. They were very competitive and that is something that historically isn’t associated with St. Henry girls basketball.

 

The truth is coaching is a very tough, and sometimes cruel profession. A coach’s game plan, personnel, and strategic decisions can always be debated. Concrete facts such as wins / losses, tournament results, coach of the year awards (Coach Coburn has 2 of these by the way) can and are often conveniently explained away as team talent and weak opponents on the schedule.

 

Some lament that their daughter did not have a positive experience . . . well not sure what you and your daughter were expecting from the high school basketball experience, but nothing is perfect. To have a committed coach who cares about the team and does their best to put a competitive team on the court is all that can be asked of a high school coach. If you want a hallmark moment, you probably need to head to the local YMCA and sign up for rec basketball (they all get equal playtime and receive snacks after the game).

 

It took a coach that had the time, energy, and knowledge coupled with the ability to thrive in a less than ideal environment to be successful at St. Henry. Coach Coburn possessed these qualities and it is very unlikely that combination will grace the St. Henry girls basketball program any time soon.

I too am very close to the basketball program under Coach Coburn’s run, am a parent of a former player, and been around and talked to many former players. Every one that I have known has had a very positive experience with the basketball program (my daughter included). In my experience Coach Coburn has always put the overall best interests of the players first and success on the court second.

 

In my opinion Coach Coburn is a very good coach and will be hard to replace at St. Henry. The systems Coach Coburn ran were specifically designed to help a small school compete with large schools. These strategies helped to even the playing field and helped St. Henry remain competitive. I’ll never forget the 2012 regional semifinal. Boone Co. had I believe 2 future D1 players & 2 future D2 players – including Ms. Basketball, yet St. Henry competed throughout the game and trailed by only 2 points with 3 minutes remaining in the game. Looking at the KHSAA website they have beaten many good teams as well such as Ryle, Assumption, Conner, NCC, and Highlands among others. They didn’t win them all, but won many. They were very competitive and that is something that historically isn’t associated with St. Henry girls basketball.

 

The truth is coaching is a very tough, and sometimes cruel profession. A coach’s game plan, personnel, and strategic decisions can always be debated. Concrete facts such as wins / losses, tournament results, coach of the year awards (Coach Coburn has 2 of these by the way) can and are often conveniently explained away as team talent and weak opponents on the schedule.

 

Some lament that their daughter did not have a positive experience . . . well not sure what you and your daughter were expecting from the high school basketball experience, but nothing is perfect. To have a committed coach who cares about the team and does their best to put a competitive team on the court is all that can be asked of a high school coach. If you want a hallmark moment, you probably need to head to the local YMCA and sign up for rec basketball (they all get equal playtime and receive snacks after the game).

 

It took a coach that had the time, energy, and knowledge coupled with the ability to thrive in a less than ideal environment to be successful at St. Henry. Coach Coburn possessed these qualities and it is very unlikely that combination will grace the St. Henry girls basketball program any time soon.

 

+1. Terrific post.

I too am very close to the basketball program under Coach Coburn’s run, am a parent of a former player, and been around and talked to many former players. Every one that I have known has had a very positive experience with the basketball program (my daughter included). In my experience Coach Coburn has always put the overall best interests of the players first and success on the court second.

 

In my opinion Coach Coburn is a very good coach and will be hard to replace at St. Henry. The systems Coach Coburn ran were specifically designed to help a small school compete with large schools. These strategies helped to even the playing field and helped St. Henry remain competitive. I’ll never forget the 2012 regional semifinal. Boone Co. had I believe 2 future D1 players & 2 future D2 players – including Ms. Basketball, yet St. Henry competed throughout the game and trailed by only 2 points with 3 minutes remaining in the game. Looking at the KHSAA website they have beaten many good teams as well such as Ryle, Assumption, Conner, NCC, and Highlands among others. They didn’t win them all, but won many. They were very competitive and that is something that historically isn’t associated with St. Henry girls basketball.

 

The truth is coaching is a very tough, and sometimes cruel profession. A coach’s game plan, personnel, and strategic decisions can always be debated. Concrete facts such as wins / losses, tournament results, coach of the year awards (Coach Coburn has 2 of these by the way) can and are often conveniently explained away as team talent and weak opponents on the schedule.

 

Some lament that their daughter did not have a positive experience . . . well not sure what you and your daughter were expecting from the high school basketball experience, but nothing is perfect. To have a committed coach who cares about the team and does their best to put a competitive team on the court is all that can be asked of a high school coach. If you want a hallmark moment, you probably need to head to the local YMCA and sign up for rec basketball (they all get equal playtime and receive snacks after the game).

 

It took a coach that had the time, energy, and knowledge coupled with the ability to thrive in a less than ideal environment to be successful at St. Henry. Coach Coburn possessed these qualities and it is very unlikely that combination will grace the St. Henry girls basketball program any time soon.

2 coaches awards in 5 years is not too shabby! Those awards are given by the other NKY coaches. Much respected coach in the NKY girls basketball community.

 

Careful what you wish for.