High school notebook: New coach brings familiar face, new identity back home to Danville | High school football | Kentucky.com

 

This is from Mike Fields at the beginning of 2013. To me, it seems like there is a lot of turnover when it comes to HS football coaches in the state of Ky, and has been for a long time. Already, there are a bunch of jobs open.

 

1- Do you agree? Is there a lot of turnover in Ky HS Football in regards to head coaches?

 

2- If you do agree, why is that the case?

High school notebook: New coach brings familiar face, new identity back home to Danville | High school football | Kentucky.com

 

This is from Mike Fields at the beginning of 2013. To me, it seems like there is a lot of turnover when it comes to HS football coaches in the state of Ky, and has been for a long time. Already, there are a bunch of jobs open.

 

1- Do you agree? Is there a lot of turnover in Ky HS Football in regards to head coaches?

 

2- If you do agree, why is that the case?

 

Are you applying for the HHS job?

I agree!

 

These folks are getting paid pennies for the time that they put in and are away from their family. And it doesn't matter if they are the undefeated state champs, there will be always be someone unhappy with something.

Are you applying for the HHS job?

 

He was one of the first I thought of as a good, if not great candidate. Seems very happy in Maysville, though.

Raiderbird- Way to call me out. :lol2:

 

LCDAWGS19- Thank you.

 

I think it would be a huge mistake for coaches to begin confirming or denying when they apply for a job on this forum. Besides, a great guy/outstanding coach (Brian Weinrich) is the co-coach so he should now be THE coach at Highlands.

 

If anyone would share their opinion on the two questions, please do. I am curious to hear your thoughts. Thank you Ky Thorbred!

Chief, I think it's not just happening in football, but in all HS sports. I don't know if it's lack of parent/admin support, financial, or whatever...but it's happening a lot.

I think there are many factors in the high turnover rate. Included among them are an increased demand for coaches to be everything, father, mother, mentor, role model, recruiting promotors, self esteem builder, and winner of games.

One of the biggest factors though is that the coaches themselves have the qualities that make them great administrators. The draw to that carrier path is logical in a lot of ways and steals from the talent pool. Another impact is the BGP factor. Where criticism is so freely given and viewed by others.

...it's an unfortunate sign of the times.

 

The last several years there have been in upwards of 40 (+/- a few) that have come open every year; and, the way this year has started it could be a record year for turnover.

Coaches put in 30-40 extra hours a week in addition to the demands of the classroom, and as those classrooms demands increase and pressure to win increases, well, there is an inevitable snap. Usually meaning the coach steps down.

I can't begin to fathom what it takes to be a HS coach. Long hours with little pay but hey, the being second guessed and dumped on by people who know little to nothing about the team makes up for it. Then even if you're a success at positively influencing your players you get canned because of a tough year or two. No thanks but God love those who do it.

% wise is it really that high - around 20% give or take in 2013.

 

What % would be either more normal or acceptable.

High school notebook: New coach brings familiar face, new identity back home to Danville | High school football | Kentucky.com

 

This is from Mike Fields at the beginning of 2013. To me, it seems like there is a lot of turnover when it comes to HS football coaches in the state of Ky, and has been for a long time. Already, there are a bunch of jobs open.

 

1- Do you agree? Is there a lot of turnover in Ky HS Football in regards to head coaches?

 

2- If you do agree, why is that the case?

 

Honestly, I think the increased demand in the classroom has added to the stresses that have always been there. I also feel that an increasing # of administrators will not back their coaches against unruly parents. The state of education has increasingly become about passing the buck and with that approach what is best for kids gets lost. That being said those that coach for a long time (i.e., Ray Graham, Bob Schneider, Dale Mueller, Coach Hayward, etc) are special people!!! In a world with a lack of role models and people that give up more than they take, coaches that dedicated their lives to others should be respected, honored and protected.

 

Sorry I may have gotten off topic and went on a rant.

Lack. Of. Money.

...and when I say lack of money I mean it in multiple ways:

- Lack of Money for the hours you work as a Head Coach

- Lack of Money to hire and justifiably pay quality assistants

- Lack of Money for basic equipment needs

- Lack of Money for Facilities and their upkeep

- Lack of Money for giving kids that little extra (shirts, sweatshirts, cleats, ect...) to reward their commitment

 

A few schools have great boosters or great administrations that find a way around these money issues, but in about 85% of your schools in KY, the money-issue is the killer IMO. I would also attribute the turnover to the fact that more and more administrations are refusing to hire teacher/coaches for in-the-building jobs. When you don't do that, you leave the HC depending on para-pro's. Most teams practice from 3'ish - 6'ish...how many people out there have jobs where they're off by 3 and can come coach? Couple that with the fact that you have little to no-money to pay these guys and you have a lot of frustrated folks.

 

To me, it seems like there is a lot of turnover when it comes to HS football coaches in the state of Ky, and has been for a long time. Already, there are a bunch of jobs open.

 

1- Do you agree? Is there a lot of turnover in Ky HS Football in regards to head coaches?

 

2- If you do agree, why is that the case?

 

I do agree... but I don't think it is limited to Kentucky. I think it is the by-product of an instant gratification culture...and also the by-product of the rise of media and social media.

 

Turn on ESPN right now and all you will see are talks about "Is Monte Kiffin out at the end of the season?" "When will Mike Shanahan officially be out in Washington?" "Who is replacing Gary Kubiak at Houston?" " Who should take over at Texas?" ""Did USC make the right hire?" "Was firing Pease the answer at Florida?" "Will Mark Richt ever win the National Championship?". Even the undertones support the instant gratification as they discuss how Malzahn has Auburn in the National Championship and how short of a time it took Fisher to turn around FSU.

 

People are immersed by these images and talking heads and with the advance of Social Media the number of sources are unlimited. People have developed this sense that if you don't win in 2-3 years you never will...and when they see guys immediately step into roles and be successful it just fuels their fire.

 

When it comes to KY High School Football... specifically when you look at "normal" programs such as County Schools, schools that don't have the tradition of being elite, or small schools where talent pool fluctuates... those expectations need to be tempered.

 

All too often what I see happening in Kentucky is a vicious cycle that forces teams to stay at the bottom. It starts with the firing of a coach and some internal politics that lead to the selection of a specific coach when the interview process never truly was "open". They don't hire the right guy..they simply hire the "buddy" and instead of modernizing their program they simply try to give cosmetic surgery to what is already there (instill a new modern offense... change the defense.. but with the same players). Sometimes you may see initial success, but rarely does this translate to sustained success because the Feeder System is not in tune with the HS. Eventually talent dries up and they are left searching for a new option.

 

This time they hire from outside... the new coach brings excitement and changes and makes an impact on the feeder program. Unfortunately for him, numbers are down because kids have seen losing football the past two coaches. The Coach does his best to re-make his program and takes lumps early but shows marked improvement. Year 2 or 3 though they still are hovering at mediocre as he simply doesn't have the personnel to succeed. Rumblings begin amongst parents as he chooses to play Freshman and Sophomores over their underachieving Senior. Year 3 or 4 they have a good team, he ups his S.O.S. and as a result..though the team is better... they still lose games and lose some bad.

 

You nare now 4 years in and have yet to have a "succcessful" season... but your Feeder Program is getting stronger... you are giving young players experience... you have improved, but are playing tougher competition to get better and losing...the results still show you aren't competing at the State Level.

 

At this point is where I am seeing so many programs make the mistake and fire the coach. They then have to completely re-start from scratch and the cycle continues. Football quicksand.

 

Now by comparison I offer up the curious case of Coach Thompson at Wayne County. This is a guy who built his program from Feeder System up... he had several 3-7, 5-6, 6-5 type of seasons his first 5 or 6 years.

 

Three years ago Wayne starts seeing that feeder crop move up into their Freshman year.. 5-6

 

Two years ago they are Sophomores seeing more playing time.. 9-3 and a playoff win.

 

Last year they are Juniors and now they are more experienced as starters and finding cohesion and have a similarly talented Sophomore class pushing them... 10-2 and ever so close to beating a traditional powerhouse and the eventual State Champs.

 

This year they are a veteran team lead by very seasoned Seniors and Juniors... 14-1... miss a State Championship by a single dropped pass.

 

Not only has Wayne now emerged as a Statewide Player in 2013 thanks to the patience to stick with Thompson through the mediocre seasons... but they have a solid core of Juniors who will be back in 2014... they also have another bumper crop coming up from Middle School that should provide strength for the next 4 years...

Lack. Of. Money.

...and when I say lack of money I mean it in multiple ways:

- Lack of Money for the hours you work as a Head Coach

- Lack of Money to hire and justifiably pay quality assistants

- Lack of Money for basic equipment needs

- Lack of Money for Facilities and their upkeep

- Lack of Money for giving kids that little extra (shirts, sweatshirts, cleats, ect...) to reward their commitment

 

A few schools have great boosters or great administrations that find a way around these money issues, but in about 85% of your schools in KY, the money-issue is the killer IMO. I would also attribute the turnover to the fact that more and more administrations are refusing to hire teacher/coaches for in-the-building jobs. When you don't do that, you leave the HC depending on para-pro's. Most teams practice from 3'ish - 6'ish...how many people out there have jobs where they're off by 3 and can come coach? Couple that with the fact that you have little to no-money to pay these guys and you have a lot of frustrated folks.

 

This.