Why would you fire a coach and then hire one of his assistants.

I'm not suggesting that Jeremy Howell is a bad choice, I wish him the best of luck....

However, does the fact that Ashland hired someone with zero head coaching experience prove to all the Tomcat faithful that Ashland isn't the "Premier" position that everyone was saying it was based on prior discussions about the open position?

Or does it prove they recognized the abilities of one of their own? Ashland lost two promising young coaches in Tim Rice, baseball and Jason Strader, basketball. Maybe the decided to not let a third get away.

I'm happy and excited for Jeremy. I've known him since he was a kid. I'm glad to see a former Tomcat get the job.

I have to think that some of the candidates that applied have to be in some shock that they were passed over for an unproven commodity. Again, good luck to him.

I have to think that some of the candidates that applied have to be in some shock that they were passed over for an unproven commodity. Again, good luck to him.

 

Wasn't Scott Humphrey an unproven commodity when Simon Kenton hired him? Every head coach was an unproven commodity at one time. I'm glad Ashland is given Jeremy his chance.

Bottom line is you need talent to win. Hopefully the talent will come out at storied Paul Blazer.

Wasn't Scott Humphrey an unproven commodity when Simon Kenton hired him? Every head coach was an unproven commodity at one time. I'm glad Ashland is given Jeremy his chance.

Not the point. And I'm happy for him too. I think the assumption is that Ashland thought they were a premier job who wouldn't have to give a coach his first shot (or some fans I should have said). Not saying it isn't a good thing for both.

The big plus is the region is down. The fact is Ashland won 6 games and lost their best player and in a lot people's minds one of the region's best coaches. Hopefully the Ashland faithful will be patient. Boyd and Fairview return some good players.

Everyone assumes they "had" to, maybe they "wanted to." I don't have any inside information as to the thought process just offering a possibility.

I have no issues with the Ashland Admin's choice for coach, it just seems very ironic that they would fire Biggs and re-hire someone he mentored for several years. If they were truly looking to go another direction with their program why wouldn't they go outside to find that person that would bring a different approach to the game and not hire someone who was just mentored (trained) by the guy they just fired. And yes, I know they are 2 separate coaches, not clones. It just doesn't make much sense to me....

From my understanding after speaking to a few people that we'll just say is in the know...Ashland made overtures too a few candidates, but was turned down by them all. I guess it's a sad state of affairs when the Tomcat job is just not coveted, maybe those who stated as such are right and Ashland just isn't a worthy destination for a top-notch coach with experience.

I have no issues with the Ashland Admin's choice for coach, it just seems very ironic that they would fire Biggs and re-hire someone he mentored for several years. If they were truly looking to go another direction with their program why wouldn't they go outside to find that person that would bring a different approach to the game and not hire someone who was just mentored (trained) by the guy they just fired. And yes, I know they are 2 separate coaches, not clones. It just doesn't make much sense to me....

 

They didn't fire Biggs due to his lack of coaching ability. It was due to some of his rules, which in turn led to a lack of kids wanting to play for him. Jeremy is completely different in that aspect, sure he will have rules that everyone will have to comply with. But I seriously doubt he will try to control every aspect of a kids life. Ashland's recent problems weren't due to Bigg's coaching ability, it was do to the lack of a connection with the kids. Jeremy won't have that problem.

From my understanding after speaking to a few people that we'll just say is in the know...Ashland made overtures too a few candidates, but was turned down by them all. I guess it's a sad state of affairs when the Tomcat job is just not coveted, maybe those who stated as such are right and Ashland just isn't a worthy destination for a top-notch coach with experience.

 

 

I'll bite. I still believe its the premier job in the region. But I can also understand why it may not be a coveted job, given the hole that Biggs has been digging.

I think one of the reasons he was considered was there was no teaching positions at Ashland currently. I think if given a chance he will do fine. Ashland does have some talent in both the seventh and sixth grades. I do wonder if any of those kids will move to Russell because Coach Jason Strader coached both grades.