I would say these are the Top 5 candidates

 

Freedom Fogt - St. Henry (Program was virtually nonexistent till a month before the season started.)

 

Lee Meeks - Holy Cross (Who would have thought they would be as good as they are, although they do have a DI player in Madyson Moran.)

 

Andy Petridis - Boone Co. (Will more than likely make the regional tourney for the 1st time since the Jimmy Carter Administration. :lol2:)

 

Joe Stephenson - Notre Dame (Very solid all-around team, the addition of Haylee Smith could push them to the top.)

 

Rob Coffey - Highlands (The 1st year head coach has a very young squad, but is making waves.)

 

What say you??????

Truly a homer here but Coffey's job of getting these girls buy in to the "play to win" mentality rather be ok with mediocrity has been a task well performed. While they still have to get over the hump and beat the NDA and Ryle squads they are at least making them games. It's going to be fun watching them play as they all buy in to the program. My second vote would be to Petridis even though we didn't finish our game. They have had some key wins in a tough west side of NKY.

I am going with Coach Fogt or Coach P. Fogt has done more with less and has a win over Boone. Coach P has finally got over the hump with Ryle and Conner even though I think both those teams are slightly down compared to their standards. Boone also has had to deal with some injuries.

 

Coach Stephenson and Coach Coffey are both fine choices, I think they both have quite a bit of talent and I think you could argue that their pitchers transfering in has as much to do with their success than any other thing.

 

I almost find it disrespectful to other coaches that Lee Meeks is on this list. Yes HC is improved but most their wins are over Ludlow twice, Beechwood 3 times Dayton twice. They have played well against good teams but lost several that they could have won. HC won one game last year with out Moran and were 6-7 in games she did play. Grace Herrman didn't play at all last year and the pitcher is much improved and a lot of that has to do with Herrman. Lee Meeks has done some really great things for HC softball, not sure coaching is one of them.

I would say these are the Top 5 candidates

 

Freedom Fogt - St. Henry (Program was virtually nonexistent till a month before the season started.)

 

Lee Meeks - Holy Cross (Who would have thought they would be as good as they are, although they do have a DI player in Madyson Moran.)

 

Andy Petridis - Boone Co. (Will more than likely make the regional tourney for the 1st time since the Jimmy Carter Administration. :lol2:)

 

Joe Stephenson - Notre Dame (Very solid all-around team, the addition of Haylee Smith could push them to the top.)

 

Rob Coffey - Highlands (The 1st year head coach has a very young squad, but is making waves.)

 

What say you??????

 

Top 4 IMO would be, and in no specific order:

Fogt, St. Henry

Petridis, Boone Co.

Stephenson, ND

Coffey, Highlands

 

IMO there would be a good argument for any of these four coaches. They have each done a great job.

Petridis is without question the coach of the year in 9th. The other teams besides Holy Cross have been greatly aided by having a senior pitcher ready to step in in the case of St.Henry and 2 huge transfers in the case of Highlands and Notre Dame. Highlands is basically the same squad as last year except they lost a quality senior or 2 but the transfer of Spencer was huge. Not a ton of big wins on the Highlands schedule but the pitcher addition has given them the ability to turn some games around they have lost past few years.. They won 2 games over NCC, Dixie, and Brossart and have wins over Nicholas Co and St. Henry. These are 8 games they have been losing in past and probably still would have without pitching and 16-10 suddenly is 8-18 for a record. Notre Dame was on the verge of becoming a strong contender but adding arguably the best pitcher in NKY for 3 years is pretty big. Haley Smith and a cast of 8th graders could probably go 17-10, she is that good and hard to score off of. St. Henry had Butts this year and have rode her to a quality season. Fogts my choice for coach next year if she can win with that young squad after Butts graduates. Pitching is the name of the game, if you got it your probably a contender without it your in deep trouble. Boone has basically went with what they had and put together a solid season. JMU I notice your not a huge fan of HC staff. Surprised you stayed there the entire time at HC. Was there ever a thought of a transfer to a happier situation?

Petridis is without question the coach of the year in 9th. The other teams besides Holy Cross have been greatly aided by having a senior pitcher ready to step in in the case of St.Henry and 2 huge transfers in the case of Highlands and Notre Dame. Highlands is basically the same squad as last year except they lost a quality senior or 2 but the transfer of Spencer was huge. Not a ton of big wins on the Highlands schedule but the pitcher addition has given them the ability to turn some games around they have lost past few years.. They won 2 games over NCC, Dixie, and Brossart and have wins over Nicholas Co and St. Henry. These are 8 games they have been losing in past and probably still would have without pitching and 16-10 suddenly is 8-18 for a record. Notre Dame was on the verge of becoming a strong contender but adding arguably the best pitcher in NKY for 3 years is pretty big. Haley Smith and a cast of 8th graders could probably go 17-10, she is that good and hard to score off of. St. Henry had Butts this year and have rode her to a quality season. Fogts my choice for coach next year if she can win with that young squad after Butts graduates. Pitching is the name of the game, if you got it your probably a contender without it your in deep trouble. Boone has basically went with what they had and put together a solid season. JMU I notice your not a huge fan of HC staff. Surprised you stayed there the entire time at HC. Was there ever a thought of a transfer to a happier situation?

 

Good points, pitching makes coaches look more smart for sure.

 

As far as me not being a huge fan of HC staff that is true and not true, they are good people but were not qualified to have the job. They do a lot of nice things for the girls but I take softball pretty serious and it's just not that way at HC, which is fine just sucks for us. HC has been good to and good for my daughter have I thought about leaving yeah a lot but never to seriously. My daughter likes HS soccer as much as softball and even though we were never great it was good so that evens out I guess.

While Smith has pushed NDA upwards they were heading that way prior to her transfer. 2010 4-25 record, 2011 15-16, 2012 22-11 and this year so far are 23-7 but what you have to look at is the strength of schedule change over the last 2 seasons. Stephenson is in his second season and has stepped it up each of the last two years. There is no question Smith helped but they won 22 games last year without her. Stephenson is as much deserving as anyone in the 9th Region. He is going after tougher competition than any other coach mentioned here. I think we are all in the company of some very deserving coaches who are improving the softball atmosphere here in Northern KY.

While Smith has pushed NDA upwards they were heading that way prior to her transfer. 2010 4-25 record, 2011 15-16, 2012 22-11 and this year so far are 23-7 but what you have to look at is the strength of schedule change over the last 2 seasons. Stephenson is in his second season and has stepped it up each of the last two years. There is no question Smith helped but they won 22 games last year without her. Stephenson is as much deserving as anyone in the 9th Region. He is going after tougher competition than any other coach mentioned here. I think we are all in the company of some very deserving coaches who are improving the softball atmosphere here in Northern KY.

 

First yes Coach Stephenson is very deserving, and if he did win it I would have zero problem with that. I would say he maybe should get it seeing they did not lose a game in the 9th all year.

 

Second who did they beat last year, I know they did lose to Beechwood in the District finals.

 

Their schedule is no better than Ryle, Boone or Conner.

 

Without Smith they are not the favorite to win the region, without Smith they are not in the conversation of the top 4 that we all like to talk about on here.

 

And yes I agree the softball atmosphere in NKY is changing.

Definitely Coach Freedom Fogt! She brought what few pieces of a team together, gave them direction and confidence, and created a team to be recognized. The wins over Boone and Gallatin County were significant. St Henry ruined Gallatin's undefeated season

Joe Stephenson is my second choice... he's a class act.

I lean towards Andy . Toughest district. That has to count for something.

Definitely Coach Freedom Fogt! She brought what few pieces of a team together, gave them direction and confidence, and created a team to be recognized. The wins over Boone and Gallatin County were significant. St Henry ruined Gallatin's undefeated season

Joe Stephenson is my second choice... he's a class act.

 

I'm leaning in this direction because of the above. However, the short fellow at Boone County has done a really good job this year as well.

I'm leaning in this direction because of the above. However, the short fellow at Boone County has done a really good job this year as well.

 

A "really good job?" Winning the 33rd should trump all. Pretty sure everyone had Ryle and Conner pre-season.

These are the five contenders. I would go with Andy at Boone. He finally got over the hurdle. Now don't overlook Cooper in the districts.

 

Freedom and Joe have also done a great job. I think Joe will trade the coach of the year to Andy if Notre Dame would win the region. On the other hand, Andy would gladly give Joe the Coach of the Year if the Rebels could win the region. I think Freedom has done a great job, but other than Dixie the 34th is typically not strong.

 

Rob has been solid at Highlands and they have taken the next step up.

 

Lee is underrated at Holy Cross. They have had a dramatic turnaround this year from last. Pointed in the right direction, and a group that is confident in themselves.

Here's what I say?...

Andy- best year in the best district.

Joe - Yes they got Smith, but were already going in the right direction.

Rob - completely turned the mentality of a "rec" program into a darkhorse for the region in one year. Forget about the transfer. more on that at the bottom.

Freedom - did a lot coming in late. A couple good wins and a couple not so good losses. She did have to get things together in a tight turn, but having one of the best pitchers in the region can get you a few nice wins and mask some weak points.

 

 

As for HHS and separate from this subject. What is starting to be perceived is that the transfer of spencer has led to their success.

 

Let's take in some facts (had to ask a few questions to get some of the info, but pretty sure about it):

Already been agreed that HHS has basically the personnel as last year with the exception of Spencer. Graybill, Quillen, Coffey, Leighty, Turner, Grosser have all been there at least 2 years prior to this season.

According to KHSAA...Birds are scoring 2 runs per game more this year than last and giving up 2 less runs...against a much better schedule. Our pitcher has nothing to do with the runs we scored.

Just by watching, I can tell you they are committing way less errors than last year. they make plays i didn't think i'd see out of them. yes, they still have their moments of errors, but overall, they are much improved. Spencer doesnt strike everyone out! She's not Smith, Butts, Biz, Crupper or Knotts!! people like to make her out to be when it's convenient to blame HHS's success on Spencer.

HHS already had a pitcher on their roster that pitches on the same travel team as Spencer. They didn't have terrible pitching to start with! do I think Spencer is better, yes, but they weren't starting with a beginner without spencer. Also had another pitcher with varsity experience that decided to take a year off after tryouts.

The girls busted their tails in the offseason. Skills and physical training were 3 days a week from October on. Many advances were made in the offseason.

They only have 9 varsity players. 4 freshman, 2 soph, and 3 jrs. I know people say everyone is young, but their next 5 off the bench are 7th graders with VERY little competitive softball experience. That means HHS has been sucking up injuries and illness the entire season and still have only lost to 3 NKY teams. The trip to Lexington was a disaster with illness and inuries and couldn't have been scheduled at a worst time.

HHS was 10-19 last year against a softer schedule. This year have only lost to 3 9th region teams. Please don't tell me that's because of a transfer of a decent pitcher.

 

My point with all of this...it's crazy to think a transfer of an above average pitcher (that most have said is not that big of a difference maker in the region) is the sole reason for their turnaround this year. Its the work all the girls have put in the off season and the belief they can compete with the teams in the 9th region. That was not there in the past! HHS would have been good with or without Spencer. Are we grateful to have a nice freshman pitcher with a lot of upside, absolutey! Very excited about the future. But it was only part of their success this year. Give the other girls credit. They are good and deserve it. I know a lot of people don't like HHS and hate the football success. They like to see the other sports do bad so when the football followers gloat, they can say "what about the rest of the sports". Well remember that these are just young ladies, just like your daughters and your players. They have nothing to do with HHS football. Heck, I couldn't name one football players in the last 5 years! The girls work their tails off now and deserve more recognition than just attributing it to a transfer.

Here's what I say?...

Andy- best year in the best district.

Joe - Yes they got Smith, but were already going in the right direction.

Rob - completely turned the mentality of a "rec" program into a darkhorse for the region in one year. Forget about the transfer. more on that at the bottom.

Freedom - did a lot coming in late. A couple good wins and a couple not so good losses. She did have to get things together in a tight turn, but having one of the best pitchers in the region can get you a few nice wins and mask some weak points.

 

 

As for HHS and separate from this subject. What is starting to be perceived is that the transfer of spencer has led to their success.

 

Let's take in some facts (had to ask a few questions to get some of the info, but pretty sure about it):

Already been agreed that HHS has basically the personnel as last year with the exception of Spencer. Graybill, Quillen, Coffey, Leighty, Turner, Grosser have all been there at least 2 years prior to this season.

According to KHSAA...Birds are scoring 2 runs per game more this year than last and giving up 2 less runs...against a much better schedule. Our pitcher has nothing to do with the runs we scored.

Just by watching, I can tell you they are committing way less errors than last year. they make plays i didn't think i'd see out of them. yes, they still have their moments of errors, but overall, they are much improved. Spencer doesnt strike everyone out! She's not Smith, Butts, Biz, Crupper or Knotts!! people like to make her out to be when it's convenient to blame HHS's success on Spencer.

HHS already had a pitcher on their roster that pitches on the same travel team as Spencer. They didn't have terrible pitching to start with! do I think Spencer is better, yes, but they weren't starting with a beginner without spencer. Also had another pitcher with varsity experience that decided to take a year off after tryouts.

The girls busted their tails in the offseason. Skills and physical training were 3 days a week from October on. Many advances were made in the offseason.

They only have 9 varsity players. 4 freshman, 2 soph, and 3 jrs. I know people say everyone is young, but their next 5 off the bench are 7th graders with VERY little competitive softball experience. That means HHS has been sucking up injuries and illness the entire season and still have only lost to 3 NKY teams. The trip to Lexington was a disaster with illness and inuries and couldn't have been scheduled at a worst time.

HHS was 10-19 last year against a softer schedule. This year have only lost to 3 9th region teams. Please don't tell me that's because of a transfer of a decent pitcher.

 

My point with all of this...it's crazy to think a transfer of an above average pitcher (that most have said is not that big of a difference maker in the region) is the sole reason for their turnaround this year. Its the work all the girls have put in the off season and the belief they can compete with the teams in the 9th region. That was not there in the past! HHS would have been good with or without Spencer. Are we grateful to have a nice freshman pitcher with a lot of upside, absolutey! Very excited about the future. But it was only part of their success this year. Give the other girls credit. They are good and deserve it. I know a lot of people don't like HHS and hate the football success. They like to see the other sports do bad so when the football followers gloat, they can say "what about the rest of the sports". Well remember that these are just young ladies, just like your daughters and your players. They have nothing to do with HHS football. Heck, I couldn't name one football players in the last 5 years! The girls work their tails off now and deserve more recognition than just attributing it to a transfer.

 

You bring up some very good points but after reading your post it still doesn't change my views at all. I do not remember anyone saying that the transfer was the SOLE reason HHS is improved. I know I said it had as much to do with them improving as anything.

 

As far as hating on Highlands you guys have not earned that yet so you can throw that out the window. HHS is improved in part bc a lot of things just bc someone says it has something to do with the pitching isn't taking away from their other kids, that's just dumb.

 

HHS is an above avg middle of the pack team, yes you only lost to 3 NKY teams but most those were really bad losses and you won a lot of close games against similar teams. At the end of the day you are what you are. And to since this is a thread is about coaching I think Highlands coach is doing a great job, with or with out your "above avg pitcher"