The Off-Season in High School Football is an ever evolving beast. Each year you can count on changes to happen and controversy to arise, but the changes that came after the 2013 season brought an unprecedented turnover involving some of the biggest names and programs from across the Bluegrass. For anyone just tuning in to the beginning of the new season there is a lot you have missed, so BGP wants to bring you up to Speed with our 10 Biggest Off-season Headlines.

 

1. A LEGEND RETURNS

In Kentucky High School History there is a very short list of coaches revered as the truly elite and game changers. Of that list, no coach earned such a distinction over a shorter period of time than Chuck Smith when he guided the Boyle County Dynasty of the late 90's to the Mid 2000's. In an almost instant overnight makeover Smith took the hapless Rebels and elevated their program to one of the top tier program's in the State before the University of Kentucky came calling and brought Smith to the collegiate ranks as an Assistant Coach. With the departure of Larry French the door opened and Boyle wasted no time hiring Smith, who seemed to be heading to Madison Central.

 

2. A LEGEND DEPARTS

"Fort Thomas Highlands", the name alone speaks for itself. The Bluebird program is arguably the most storied program in Kentucky History with decades of dominant football, but come Fall the tradition will be asked to continue without the man who has been at the forefront of the Bluebirds' most dominating Chapter. At the conclusion of the 2013 season Dale Mueller retired from coaching. Mueller amassed a 250-36 Record over 20 seasons and reached a ridiculous 14 State Finals Appearances, winning the Title an even more impressive 11 times. It could be argued Mueller is the greatest Preps Coach in Kentucky History. Will Brian Weinrich be able to keep the Birds' at the pace Mueller set?

 

 

 

3. REALIGNMENT STRIKES

No change will universally effect the State as much as the new realignment the KHSAA adopted that will go in effect starting in 2015. From Fulton City to Fairview the switches are vast and wide, moving teams and restructuring districts that had been in tact for years. The changes you need to know per class:

 

1A and 2A- No more Mayfield. The Cardinals have ruled A with an iron fist and now move up to challenge DeSales and NewCath. Hazard is just trying to find their home in A, after being voted out of District 8 by Phelps and Pikeville they appealed and have been reinstated.

 

3A- No class was more effected than AAA which now lays claim to being arguably the strongest pound for pound class. The addition of Boyle County, Lexington Catholic, and Caldwell County to a class already with it's fair share of Historic Programs makes AAA a "Who's Who" of past Kentucky Champions.

 

4A, 5A, and 6A

Realignment brought two reactions in these classes. In 5A you now see Highlands and Covington Catholic move up to challenge Bowling Green, giving the opportunity to end one of the fiercest "What If" debates over the past 5 years. For all the teams left behind in 4A it is a collective sigh of relief as the four teams (including Boyle County and LexCath) who have been viewed as the top of the class have moved to new homes. The 6A Class should proceed as always.

 

 

4. A LEGENDARY PROGRAM CHANGES

For decades the Corbin Redhounds have been a program founded on strong Running Backs, Hard Nosed Football, and have been symbolic for the word "Power Football". In 2014 the Redhounds may look a whole lot different with the hiring of Justin Haddix, the former Head Coach of Perry Central. Haddix was a standout QB for Breathitt County and then WKU in his playing days and will bring a wide open spread offense to the history rich SEKY program.

 

5. EXTREME MAKEOVER: LAKE CUMBERLAND EDITION

It is rare that a 1-9 team could become one of the State's biggest headlines almost overnight, but Southwestern had perhaps the biggest instant impact moves of the Summer. It began with the French resignation at Boyle and transplant to the Pulaski County School giving the Warriors suddenly had a Coach with 2 State Titles at the helm. In the wake of that Southwestern received a pair of huge Sophomore transfers in RB Jordan Doane and QB Floyd Fannin.

 

6. A BIRD LEAVES THE NEST

Warren Central hired former Norfolk State Assistant Coach Howard Feggins to fill their vacancy. With this Feggins brings his own son Jensen along for the ride. Jensen Feggins was a standout WR for Fort Thomas Highlands and considered by many to be the best returning player for the Bluebirds. Instead he will join a very athletic Warren Central roster along with major recruit Emmitt Smith. To make matters even more interesting Feggins' inherits a schedule which features a game vs. the 4A powerhouse pitting his son against his former teammates.

 

7. WINDS OF CHANGE FOR THE BLUE TORNADOES

As eluded above, Mike Rogers departed the Warren Central program and has became the new sheriff for tradition rich Paducah Tilghman. Tilghman split ways with Randy Wyatt following a Semi-Finals defeat and tension amongst the Tilghman faithful. Wyatt served 6 seasons as the Head Coach and had a pretty standout resume, reaching the Semi-Finals 3 times and the Regional Finals in all but two of those years. He also won a State Title in 2009.

 

8. YOUNG BUCS KEEP COMING

The Belfry Pirates claimed the 2013 3A State Title behind a team boasting one of the most promising crops of young players in the State of Kentucky. The Pirates saw 6 Freshman play vital minutes in 2013 and had 5 of those Freshman play major roles in their Title Game win. The Belfry Class of 2017 became even stronger with a pair of key transfers this off-season in ATH Noah Corbett (Logan, WV) and OL Jordan Scott (Pikeville). Belfry also added HB Deonte Joplin (Mingo Central, WV) who will be a Junior.

 

9. SPEAKING OF YOUNG...

No School captured the controversy level of the Coaching Carousel like Perry Central. As previously mentioned a void was left when Justin Haddix took his talents to Corbin, and in the aftermath an intensive search full of twists and turns ultimately came to a head with the hiring of former PCC Quarterback Jordan Amis. Hiring a former player is an ordinary theme, but typically not when the player graduated less than 4 years ago. Amis is the youngest HC in KY HS Football,,, having not even graduated college at the time of his announcement. To further create controversy the Commodores hired polarizing John Chapman as Defensive Coordinator in early July. Chapman, formerly the Head Coach at Pike Central, had a talented roster returning and supposedly was turned down as the Commodore's HC in favor of Amis. Shawn Thacker takes over at Pike Central.

 

10. FEELING PURPLE AND BLACKMAN

The Bowling Green Purples emerged as the State's Top Team in 2013 and parlayed a 14-0 season into a high National Ranking, their 3rd Straight 5A Title, and a 44 Game Winning Streak. The winning streak ranks 3rd All-Time in KY History and if the Purples can clear their early season challenges it is foreseeable they could pass Trinity's marker of 50 wins in the Regular Season. But what fun is a record without a little controversy?

 

The toughest test for the Purples in 2013 was Murfeesboro-Blackman, Tennessee. The Purples needed every inch to survive 26-25 at home in a game filed with emotions and controversial calls. The Purples graduate a very strong Senior Class and may take a step back, whereas Blackman was set to return a very talented team expected to be amongst the best in Tennessee. In a move that incited fans on both sides of the border as well as Jefferson County, Bowling Green opted out of their trip to Murfeesboro during the Summer.

 

OTHER NOTEWORTHY HAPPENINGS:

- Elizabethtown hires Mark Brown as Head Coach. The young and talented Panthers gain the man who previously built John Hardin into a powerhouse.

- Randy Frazier was let go at Middlesboro after one of the better seasons in recent years for the Jackets including the first win over rival Bell County in quite some time. Frazier's son Cole, a standout TE, has since transferred to Bell.

- One of the most respected coaches in Kentucky for getting the most out of his players was Garrard County's Mark Scenters. Scenters is the new Head Coach at Madison Central.

- Covington Catholic has had a history of talented QB's and they picked up potentially the next of those in Aaron Floyd. Floyd previously was at Boone County.

- It is rare that a 1A team in the beneficiary of a transfer from a two year starter from a much larger school but Paintsville was one such team when RB Daymion Belcher came to the Tigers from 4A Johnson Central. Belcher was the leading rusher for the Eagles in 2013 gaining over 1300 yards.

 

 

Is there anything we missed? Which Headline do you see having the biggest impact in 2014? Which are you the most curious to see play out?

Great topic ALTCat.

 

I would add:

 

Coach Ivan McGlone being pushed out as Russell Head Coach after a 40 year career with two State Championships following many health issues and the death of his wife.

 

Fairview being heavily sanctioned by the KHSAA after playing an ineligible player, following overturning ineligible players by court injunction one year prior.

No other big headlines?

 

Collins' backup QB throws winning touchdown pass to beat Highlands

 

All the coaching vacancies

 

Damien Harris

Nice report ATL!

 

One correction/comment I will add to your "Other" section, there is virtually zero chance Aaron Floyd ever plays QB at CCH. If he gets eligible at CCH, he will be a DB.

Good stuff, ATLCat!!!!

I am looking forward to Boyle County playing this season. A team that was 13-1 last season gets Chuck Smith back. I can't wait to see how they look. They could quickly become the team to beat in 4A this season.

Lexington Catholic losing both Lettons is a top 10 Off Season story IMO.

No other big headlines?

 

Collins' backup QB throws winning touchdown pass to beat Highlands

 

All the coaching vacancies

 

Damien Harris

 

That isn't an off season story, homey.

 

 

I take that back. Yes it is.

Lexington Catholic losing both Lettons is a top 10 Off Season story IMO.

I agree, big story.

 

Likewise Feggins from Highlands.

That isn't an off season story, homey.

 

 

I take that back. Yes it is.

I'd say it's been mentioned quite a few times in the off season. Just guessing.

Great stuff ATL, my only addition was what Voice mentioned.

I don't know if we will ever see an off-season with as much going on, especially at historic programs, as this past one.

 

... and as has already been mentioned this all goes without saying that amidst all this you even have a Damien Harris come to the forefront as perhaps the most sought after recruit the State has produced since Tim Couch.

 

 

An aside I didn't mention to the Bowling Green topic... I notice Bowling Green and Pulaski County play in the regular season finale. This game may not have been possible without the Blackman controversy. These are going to be the consensus Top 2 teams in 5A one would think... say both teams go on to re-match in the State Finals... would this be the first time that two teams who met at the end of the season faced each other for the State Title?

I don't know if we will ever see an off-season with as much going on, especially at historic programs, as this past one.

 

... and as has already been mentioned this all goes without saying that amidst all this you even have a Damien Harris come to the forefront as perhaps the most sought after recruit the State has produced since Tim Couch.

 

 

An aside I didn't mention to the Bowling Green topic... I notice Bowling Green and Pulaski County play in the regular season finale. This game may not have been possible without the Blackman controversy. These are going to be the consensus Top 2 teams in 5A one would think... say both teams go on to re-match in the State Finals... would this be the first time that two teams who met at the end of the season faced each other for the State Title?

 

 

 

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The only options I could see would be Trinity/St. X or other Jefferson County schools who happened to be split to opposite Semi-States

The only options I could see would be Trinity/St. X or other Jefferson County schools who happened to be split to opposite Semi-States

 

 

I'm thinking they would still play their regular season game in early October or late September. The last week of the season is IMO an awesome time for a potential state finals preview. I'm still undecided if I am going to go watch BG/Pulaski or Boyle/Madison Southern. I really want to see Damian Harris play and to see him go against a Chuck Smith/Jeff Hester defense should be a helluva matchup.