With all the really good open jobs this year and people talking about this coach and that coach it got me thinking. Who are some of the really good coaches that worked hard and did a lot of good things for their program and kids without having much talent to work with. Basically who gets the most out of the least?

One that comes to mind for me that I have a lot of respect for is longtime former coach Hoover Niece from Estill County.

I agree with Hoover Neece.

 

Some others, and I think you can throw this into the criteria, but coaches who have done things at schools that weren't done BEFORE they got there and haven't, maybe won't ever be done since they left.

 

Ones that come right off the bat:

 

Dudley Hilton- He built Bell County into the King of the Mountains. Needless to say, I don't think Bell could line up and win many track meets most years.

 

Mike Holcomb- Did the same thing Hilton did, just at Breathitt County.

 

Jim Matney- If not for Highlands and CovCath, who knows how many titles they have. I know JC had some great years before he got there, but they haven't ever been on a run like he has got them on.

 

Joe Jaggers- Won titles at Trigg County, Fort Knox and had two state semi-final teams at North Hardin who were put out by T and X. Had talent no doubt, but none of these schools accomplished these feats before him and haven't since he left/retired.

 

Mark Nelson- Took Greenwood from everybody's "homecoming" into a very well respected 4A (old)/6A (before South Warren) program. He took them to the semis vs. St. X in the year before he took over at South Warren. In only 3 short years of their varsity program at SW, he turned them into a region finalist

 

 

John Petett- Current HC at Monroe County. The Falcons haven't played in a State Final yet, but he has had them at the Semis several years here of late. Monroe is a football loving community, no doubt, but if you have ever seen them play...I can promise you that they aren't winning any "look tests" during the pregrame.

 

Mark Peach- Current HC at Anderson County. Like Joe Jaggers, he has had great success at a couple places who hadn't been there before and haven't since. He coached Hancock County to the 99 Class A Final and coached Mr. Football that year, Travis Atwell. He took over Dunbar and went to back to back State Semis (even though Dunbar had been that far and further before). Took over a Campbellsville University program for two years and won. He has been at Anderson County since 05 and has taken them to at State Runner Up as well as another State Semi appearance. I don't think Anderson County has been there before and who knows if they will when/if they will if he ever hangs it up.

 

 

....those are just a few that come to mind.

I thought Bill Musick got the ball rolling at Johnson Central. Matney has taken them to a new level.

I thought Bill Musick got the ball rolling at Johnson Central. Matney has taken them to a new level.

 

For sure. But, after he left, they went through a few really rough years.

 

Even still, I don't think they were going to region and semi finals under Musick like they have under Matney (both old 4 classes and the new 6 class system).

 

Had JC ever been to a region or semi final game before Matney? That I don't know...purely speculating that they hadn't.

Had JC ever been to a region or semi final game before Matney? That I don't know...purely speculating that they hadn't.

 

Prior to Matney the best Johnson Central had done were second round losses to Bell County in 1997 and Tates Creek in 2000, the latter of which was during that brief spell when Johnson Central was in AAAA. The three years between Musick and Matney saw Johnson Central go a combined 5-24.

I hate the Jimmy's and Joe's quote.

Griffiths - Green Co.

Mofield - Meade Co.

McKee - Scott Co.

Larkey - Rock and Harlan Co.

Poynter - Trimble, Bourbon and Bellvue

French - Mercer, Meade, Boyle

 

There are some coaches that just don't garner a lot of attention for whatever reason but do a great job day in and out regardless of the talent. Those are the guys that live and breath for it. Those are what I call real ball coaches.

I think for sure Johnny Poynter...he has turned around devastated programs more than once.

I hate the Jimmy's and Joe's quote.

 

Would you prefer, "Larrys and Moes? "

I definitely agree with the guy at Trimble.

I know I sound like a broken record but I am a big fan of Josh Jaggers. I think he gets all he can out what he has. I'd also like to throw out the name Chris Larkey at North Laurel. North Laurel is looking better each season he is there.

 

Both of those guys eat, sleep and drink football and have football in their DNA. I saw this thread and they immediately popped into my mind.

I know I sound like a broken record but I am a big fan of Josh Jaggers. I think he gets all he can out what he has. I'd also like to throw out the name Chris Larkey at North Laurel. North Laurel is looking better each season he is there.

 

Both of those guys eat, sleep and drink football and have football in their DNA. I saw this thread and they immediately popped into my mind.

 

Larkey has done a very good job, IMO he'll be a candidate for a bigger job if that's what he wants, soon.

Ed Smart

Billy Martin wins year in and year out and never has div I players

 

Like Jim Matney or not he is a great coach

 

Tom Larkey of course is one. I know this is about head coaches but I am gping throw a twist. Tony Saylor longtime DC at Rockcastle is a coach that gets the best out of not much on defense Could of been a head coach any where if he wanted too. I am sure Coach Larkey would tell you the same thing