Jaguars coach Ron Smith resigned last week. Hate to see this happen, as I feel Smith is a super guy and a more than capable coach who always got his NL teams to peak at just the right time, nearly pulling off major upsets in the region both years. This is an up-and-coming program with tons of young talent. I feel that the Jags would've been serious contenders for the 13th the next couple years under Smith.

 

There have been many rumors surrounding this position for some time, so let's try to keep this above board and stick to what we know.

Jaguars coach Ron Smith resigned last week. Hate to see this happen, as I feel Smith is a super guy and a more than capable coach who always got his NL teams to peak at just the right time, nearly pulling off major upsets in the region both years. This is an up-and-coming program with tons of young talent. I feel that the Jags would've been serious contenders for the 13th the next couple years under Smith.

 

There have been many rumors surrounding this position for some time, so let's try to keep this above board and stick to what we know.

 

I kind of saw this one coming. I think he was feeling a lot of heat, but to be honest, the Lady Jags haven't been as successful as many thought they should be long before Ron took the job a few seasons ago. He does have some very solid talent coming back/up the next few seasons and whomever the new coach may be, they will have some solid players to work with. I have always heard that Ron is a super nice guy and in my limited exposure to him, he has been all that and then some. Jim you nailed it that his teams really seemed to come together at tourney time which is what you want as a coach. You hate to see the good guys leave, but can only wish him the best of luck in whatever his future holds.

 

We sure are having a hard time holding onto our coaches in Laurel County these days. SL football coach steps down after a very successful rebuilding tenure, the SL soccer coach steps down after having a very successful career (#13 all time in wins as a coach), the NL girls basketball coach steps down, NL had a new football coach & boys basketball coach in 2005, SL has a new baseball coach this year. All this in the past 12 months! Is it time to revisit how we pay/reward our Laurel County coaches for the hours they dedicate to the kids, community and schools?

I have been told the supplemental pay scale in Laurel Co. is not very good. You may be right, MT, the scale probably needs to be looked at.

I have been told the supplemental pay scale in Laurel Co. is not very good. You may be right, MT, the scale probably needs to be looked at.

 

:thumb:

 

I was told that it has been 15-20 years since they increased it. IMHO, it is way past time and hopefully losing this many coaches will wake somebody up at the BOE. This could be something positive they could do to divert attention from the mess with the currently suspended superintendent and the pending lawsuits.

 

I am not saying that this is why Ron Smith resigned, but we have lost too many good coaches in Laurel County to not take a look at it. Same goes for the assistant coaches as well.

Given the pay scale, it's amazing they can get any decent coaches here — and not surprising when they quickly leave.

:thumb:

 

I was told that it has been 15-20 years since they increased it. IMHO, it is way past time and hopefully losing this many coaches will wake somebody up at the BOE. This could be something positive they could do to divert attention from the mess with the currently suspended superintendent and the pending lawsuits.

 

I am not saying that this is why Ron Smith resigned, but we have lost too many good coaches in Laurel County to not take a look at it. Same goes for the assistant coaches as well.

If it has been this long, then they definitely need to increase it. I know what they pay their head football coaches is ridiculous.

Given the pay scale, it's amazing they can get any decent coaches here — and not surprising when they quickly leave.

 

:thumb: I think they can get them because London is a nice place to live, and both high schools are 4A. You don't see many current head coaches applying for vacancies in Laurel County and that means that often times they get first time head coaches who will move on when they get some experience and prove themselves. If someone offers you a lot more money to coach, as a taxpaying citizen who has bills, you have to think about it.

If it has been this long, then they definitely need to increase it. I know what they pay their head football coaches is ridiculous.

 

:thumb:

 

The money is here in Laurel County and everyone knows it. The one argument I have heard is that they don't want to spend the money on non academic programs. Well, .... I have yet to find a top notch football school in KY that doesn't have solid academics as well. The 2 can go hand in hand. More kids on a football team means more who have to make grades to be eligible which means better results for the school.

:thumb:

 

I was told that it has been 15-20 years since they increased it. IMHO, it is way past time and hopefully losing this many coaches will wake somebody up at the BOE. This could be something positive they could do to divert attention from the mess with the currently suspended superintendent and the pending lawsuits.

 

I am not saying that this is why Ron Smith resigned, but we have lost too many good coaches in Laurel County to not take a look at it. Same goes for the assistant coaches as well.

 

Coach Smith has a tendency to leave when the heat is turned up. I wont' believe he left over money. NOBODY I knows coaches for money. There just isn't any real money in it. Ya gotta have a good day job to survive. Coaching is for the love of the game. Back to Coach Smith, I have seen him ref, then be an assistant at Pulaski, then head coach at Southwestern then leave there and then later go to North. While at Pulaski he watched as parents rode his boss out of coaching. While at Southwestern there was a storm brewing and he jumped at first chance. I just think he learned early that the admins will always side with parents. I will always thank Coach Smith for the things he taught the girls while at Pulaski. Good coach, GREAT guy. North let a good one get away.

 

:fight:

One of the rumors is that Coach Roy Bowling and his long time assistant Coach Rex Fredericks, who were the leaders of the Laurel County dynasty during their tenure, may be interested in unretiring and coaching at North Laurel. Roy had 483 wins in 20 seasons winning over 80% of his games, won 4 state titles, from 1977-1979 went 3 straight seasons without losing a game winning 74 consecutive games (#1 all time, #2 all time is 39 consecutive), won his 4th title in 1987, etc. Laurel County is tied for all time titles with Ashland Paul Blazer at 5 each (Walter 'T' Hulett was the coach for the Cardinals 1991 state title).

 

If this is true and those 2 decide to come out of retirement for the North Laurel program, this could mean a major upsurge in the interest in the program. When I heard this one, my first thought was 'wow'! It would be interesting to see Roy on the floor as the coach AGAINST NL's crosstown rival the SL Cardinals, the school which replaced Laurel County after the split in 1992.

One of the rumors is that Coach Roy Bowling and his long time assistant Coach Rex Fredericks, who were the leaders of the Laurel County dynasty during their tenure, may be interested in unretiring and coaching at North Laurel. Roy had 483 wins in 20 seasons winning over 80% of his games, won 4 state titles, from 1977-1979 went 3 straight seasons without losing a game winning 74 consecutive games (#1 all time, #2 all time is 39 consecutive), won his 4th title in 1987, etc. Laurel County is tied for all time titles with Ashland Paul Blazer at 5 each (Walter 'T' Hulett was the coach for the Cardinals 1991 state title).

 

If this is true and those 2 decide to come out of retirement for the North Laurel program, this could mean a major upsurge in the interest in the program. When I heard this one, my first thought was 'wow'! It would be interesting to see Roy on the floor as the coach AGAINST NL's crosstown rival the SL Cardinals, the school which replaced Laurel County after the split in 1992.

 

Wow! Seems that would certainly trump the Stacey (Reed) Sheppard rumor, as she was the one often mentioned as a desired replacement by those allegedly involved with the behind-the-scenes conspiring against Smith.

Wow! Seems that would certainly trump the Stacey (Reed) Sheppard rumor, as she was the one often mentioned as a desired replacement by those allegedly involved with the behind-the-scenes conspiring against Smith.

 

There were several that wanted Stacy to get the job when Coach Gaynor resigned a few seasons ago. However, if someone applies from inside the system (a teacher), they are given top priority over any candidates outside the system, regardless of their qualifications and Smith was the 8th grade coach at NLMS at the time he was hired, was a teacher in the system & had been a varsity head coach before.

 

I am not sure that Roy is still in the system. He does coach at East Bernstadt Independent to fill his time and develop the young girls at EB, but I don't think he has taught in quite some time.

One of the rumors is that Coach Roy Bowling and his long time assistant Coach Rex Fredericks, who were the leaders of the Laurel County dynasty during their tenure, may be interested in unretiring and coaching at North Laurel. Roy had 483 wins in 20 seasons winning over 80% of his games, won 4 state titles, from 1977-1979 went 3 straight seasons without losing a game winning 74 consecutive games (#1 all time, #2 all time is 39 consecutive), won his 4th title in 1987, etc. Laurel County is tied for all time titles with Ashland Paul Blazer at 5 each (Walter 'T' Hulett was the coach for the Cardinals 1991 state title).

 

If this is true and those 2 decide to come out of retirement for the North Laurel program, this could mean a major upsurge in the interest in the program. When I heard this one, my first thought was 'wow'! It would be interesting to see Roy on the floor as the coach AGAINST NL's crosstown rival the SL Cardinals, the school which replaced Laurel County after the split in 1992.

 

Fraley, Hurt, now maybe Bowling who will be the next blast from the past? Maybe Joe B. at UK??

 

 

:fight:

Fraley, Hurt, now maybe Bowling who will be the next blast from the past? Maybe Joe B. at UK??

 

 

:fight:

 

The fact is that from very reliable sources, once he heard that Coach Smith had resigned, Roy expressed that he might be interested in it. This doesn't mean he will even apply for the job. I am sure he will only apply if he really truly wants to get back into it at the HS level. If he did apply and actually was hired, you can bet that Rex would be right by his side!

 

Joe B at UK again? Nah, he loves fishing and doing his radio show with Denny too much. And I would guess that the level of pressure is probably a little milder where he is now compared to the hot seat that is the UK mens b-ball job.

Would the fact that his grandaughter plays at North be enticing enough for him to come back?