So debate in the Most Iconic Thread has me thinking and this may be fun for all of us....

 

The topic at hand was what factors lead to elite programs and are some factors greater than others.

 

For the sake of argument..

 

You are the new hot Head Coaching name and two different schools offer you the job with unconditional support. The Administration is fully vested into building the next super power in the State. You have carte blanche to overhaul the entire program from the High School down and are guaranteed a ten year contract to see your overhaul through. You are assured you can hire any coordinator you want. The pay is the same, the benefits are the same, the coaching is the same. The only thing different is the geography, the size of the school, the tradition of the school, and the socio-economical setting of it.

 

I will give 5 choices and you pick which school and justification as to why you chose one over the other:

 

 

 

 

#1 Jenkins vs. Ludlow

 

#2 Lexington Dunbar vs. Marshall County

 

#3 Hancock County vs. Boyd County

 

#4 Christian Academy of Louisville vs. Prestonsburg

 

#5 Paris vs. Covington Holmes

#1 Jenkins vs. Ludlow

Ludlow

The geography would be more conducive to building a winning program. The history of Ludlow would be better to work with, getting past players and fans on board. Size is not an issue given that both are 1A programs. The down side to building would be that one of the best 1A programs in the state is also a District opponent.

 

#2 Lexington Dunbar vs. Marshall County

Dunbar

I have always thought they had the resources to be one of the top programs in the state, the reason why they are not would not discourage me given the autonomy afforded me by the ATLCat. Size of the school didn't have an impact for me in this example.

 

#3 Hancock County vs. Boyd County

Hancock County

I'm probably too close to Boyd County to be objective in this example, but I know building a state contender, in football, at Boyd County would be difficult. Boyd County has the student body numbers, but they have had trouble translating that to number of players.

 

#4 Christian Academy of Louisville vs. Prestonsburg

Prestonsburg

Admitting this was a toss up and I have no preference in the two, just playing the game. I think Prestonsburg is a quality program, has the resources, and could easily compete. Likewise, I think CAL has the same potential.

 

#5 Paris vs. Covington Holmes

Paris

For much of the same reasons at example #1 . Paris has had success before, and has been on the brink of moderate success in recent years, after some trouble with number of players. They compete with the county school for students, but with success I could see Paris retaining more students.

Any school that will allow you full control as in who you can hire (with a teaching job) is a keeper. 10 year contract? Where can I sign up?

 

Don't want to pick any of the schools, as I don't know much about many of the schools/areas listed. But with the guarantees listed above, I'd take a chance at any of them.

Can't really give you any solid reasoning for my choices.

 

1) Ludlow

2) Dunbar

3) Hancock

4) CAL

5) Paris

Jenkins

 

Marshall County

 

Boyd County

 

Christian Academy of Louisville

 

Covington Holmes

Me personally since I started the topic:

 

#1 Jenkins vs. Ludlow- Give me Ludlow here. Population base and location just seems much more ideal. Though you will almost always have to deal with Beechwood, you have a stronger chance to win a couple playoff games starting off if you are a 2 seed.

 

#2 Lexington Dunbar vs. Marshall County- Dunbar. Ram pretty much hit the nail on the head here. I am kind of surprised Dunbar has struggled so much as a program. Fayette County has always been an underachieving area with no real dominant team, in addition Dunbar's geographical location near the Fayette County border makes it easier for parents in Jessamine and Woodford Counties to move into your district while keeping their same job.

 

#3 Hancock County vs. Boyd County- Boyd County. I purposely paired these two which we may revisit later once we see everyone's opinion. Boyd County is a program who has had a revolving door of coaches and subsequently has struggled to keep it's best football players on the field despite being a strong basketball and baseball school. Boyd County to me is a program that has always had potential, just not the right people.

 

#4 Christian Academy of Louisville vs. Prestonsburg- CAL. Though Pburg has the history I am going to take the Private School in the talent rich Jefferson County over the public school in rural EKY.

 

#5 Paris vs. Covington Holmes- Holmes. To me these are both schools that have had records over the past 25 years that do not match the talent they have had on the field. To me Paris' highest upside is Frankfort, whereas I could see Holmes potentially being the Central of NKY with the right investment and situation.