It is obviously a mix of various componets that made them great but I have often wondered if the success of the Danville Admirals also plays into the Boyle success. Being in the same community and seeing and feeling the success of Danville surely had a influence in the Boyle drive to reach that level of success

Not to make light of your question but I just don't see how Danville's success plays into Boyle's success - Danville has been successful for years and Boyle can't say that. So if Danville's success played into Boyle's then it would have happened a long time ago. Of course it could be said that it hasn't hurt that Danville is right across town and Boyle has seen what they have accomplished!

 

Of course it could be said that it hasn't hurt that Danville is right across town!!!!!

I agree with RebelK as to Boyle Co. success. Danville may have helped raise their game and to see what it takes to win but their were a lot of factors involved. I, having seen them play for the last three years up close and personal (5 times total) that their winning was how Bobby Jones said you play golf "on the 4 inch farway between your ears" They never seems to believe they were in any danger of losing. I watched their title game they lost to Highlands 2004 and late in the fourth quarter down x amount of points with little to no chance of winning it was fourth and something and they troted on the punt team. Everyone one was buzzing in the stands about it and I thought it was "A move of champions" you were just better than us today but we'll be back to continue was what I saw. If you can get your young men to believe it's not death when you lose you just lost to a better team today and there will be a tomorrow and your never losers when you play this game the right way. It was a great thing to happen to a great bunch of kids and parents. I'll look forward to seeing them again this year and maybe we'll give them a loss but either way it goes you know your better bring your A-game or it's going to be a long night...............LTW.

It was the coach, no doubt in my mind.

 

People give credit to the administration, talent, parents, etc. (and they do deserve credit) but they too were a product of an amazing coach.

 

He was able to instill amazing sense of pride in a team that was little brother in their own community. A lot easier said, than done.

 

There are a lot of kids out there between 5'10 and 6'2 that play football for high schools in the country, but Smith was able to maximize every player's talents. One way was through conditioning; for a group of kids, few teams looked as well physically (as in muscled proportionally). Every kid had a high football IQ and never made mistakes... it was like having 11 head coaches on the field.

It was the coach, no doubt in my mind.

 

People give credit to the administration, talent, parents, etc. (and they do deserve credit) but they too were a product of an amazing coach.

 

He was able to instill amazing sense of pride in a team that was little brother in their own community. A lot easier said, than done.

 

There are a lot of kids out there between 5'10 and 6'2 that play football for high schools in the country, but Smith was able to maximize every player's talents. One way was through conditioning; for a group of kids, few teams looked as well physically (as in muscled proportionally). Every kid had a high football IQ and never made mistakes... it was like having 11 head coaches on the field.

No sane person would ever say that Chuck Smith "wasn't" the beginning factor in Boyle's success and continues to be in a weird sort of way. He instilled in these kids that they could win no matter what anyone said and that theory still plays out very well. It takes a special kind of coach to instill this feeling in kids and how very lucky that Boyle got the kind of coach. You can't kick out the thought that the support that kids get from their school and fans and the whole community doesn't help but you are correct when you say that it has to start with the coach and his staff and with kids that are willing to listen to the coach and believe him.:thumb:

While Bolye certainly deserves credit for the most amazing run in KY football history, I think the reality of that run was that they had excellent coaching, but more importantly, they had a staggering number of very good "high school" football players, often complimented by two or three superstars.

 

Boyle Co. beat you with the Tamme's, Overstreet's and Lefew's of the world, mixed sparingly in with a whole boat load of 5'11 - 6'1, 185 - 210lb kids who played like animals.

 

While they will be a force to be reckoned with, don't hedge your bets towards seeing anything remotely close to what we saw during that era of dominance.

 

 

Tamme was a semi-skilled player. How many other "superstars" from Boyle were skilled players? Having one or two super lineman a year is nothing like some other schools have had as far as skilled talent. My point is I don't think Boyle has been blessed with great talent. I think they get as much as anyone out of a bunch of average joe athletes.

Tamme was a semi-skilled player. How many other "superstars" from Boyle were skilled players? Having one or two super lineman a year is nothing like some other schools have had as far as skilled talent. My point is I don't think Boyle has been blessed with great talent. I think they get as much as anyone out of a bunch of average joe athletes.

 

Uh, not to sound snide here, but Tamme is a SEC player; that is very skilled. Bobby and Travis Laffew were big time D1 and Travis was an All American at the collegiate level. Smith signed D1AA with WKU as a QB. Not being a Boyle Co. buff, I'm a little short on names, but I know there are numerous others that have come out of there in the past 6 years. I'd say, not many schools have turned out more quality college talent than Boyle during that magical stretch.

Some good posts in this thread.:thumb:

 

In my opinion, the biggest factors in the BC success over the past several years has been coaching AND players' attitudes. The coaching staff has seemingly willed the players into believing they will win no matter what.

During Boyle's championship run from 99-03, the team operated like a machine (literally). Those teams didn't miss tackles, didn't turn the ball over, didn't do a stupid dance every time a player did something good. They didn't miss blocks...etc etc. In short, those teams were among the most fundamentally sound you will see. Discipline.Discipline.Discipline. That's what a good coaching staff brings to the table.

 

Boyle wasn't always the most athletic team on the field, but during the championship run you could bet they were probably the best team.

 

I have to stop now since I'm an Admiral fan.

Chuck has been successful everyplace he has been. He is very fundamentally sound, disciplined, and has everyone believing in what they are doing. Even at Mercer with Coach French, Mercers defense was hard-nosed, never quit, intense, well just like the coach. It starts with the coach and the coach has to have the support from the administration. I know schools that have quality coaches but the support is not there so it is my belief those coaches may have good years here and there but building a PROGRAM will be very difficult. Again, a coach like Coach Smith can convince the administration to support the program no matter what it takes. I know of youth and middles school programs that want to do things THEIR WAY and not be on the same page as the head coach. This will never build a program either. Great motivator, concentrate on details/fundamentals, having a great supporting staff (coaches, boosters, administrators, parents, etc), and everyone being on the same page I believe are the keys. Some schools want football teams and some want PROGRAMS. The schools with the support (true support) will build the programs, the ones without will continue to have teams.

I'll go on record as saying that I don't ever remember seeing a team look more like a well oiled machine than Boyle. That is fundamentals! They flew to the ball and tackled like no other! The only team that reminds me of them at all was the Highlands defense a couple of years ago.

Uh, not to sound snide here, but Tamme is a SEC player; that is very skilled. Bobby and Travis Laffew were big time D1 and Travis was an All American at the collegiate level. Smith signed D1AA with WKU as a QB. Not being a Boyle Co. buff, I'm a little short on names, but I know there are numerous others that have come out of there in the past 6 years. I'd say, not many schools have turned out more quality college talent than Boyle during that magical stretch.

 

 

Just to add a few to your list:

 

Taylor Begley was the kicker in '99 and '00 and went on to UK and had a great career.

 

Jennings was also a kicker who went on to TCU I believe.

 

Brodie Overstreet was a phenom in the line who went to Wake Forest and started his Redshirt Freshman year but injuries have sidelined him as of late.

 

Matt Miller was a great WR on the first two title teams and was given a scholly at EKU which is Div 1-AA.

 

I agree with Cynical on Jacob Tamme. How anyone can call him "semi-skilled" is beyond me. He was a major WR weapon for the Rebels on their '01 and '02 Title teams. (He would have been a bigger force on the '00 one but he broke his leg in about the 3rd season) Tremendous hands and leaping ability. (Ask any Rockastle fan and they will tell you. )

 

They had some very good High School players that played well to support all of these guys. Casey McCoy, Quinn, Boomer Johnson, Justin Nicols, Mertz (?), Webb, Ian Young, and many others.

 

I think the talent level was high and you coupled that with a head coach and staff that demanded what they did and you have a unique story of success.

One thing that has not been mentioned on here was the TOTAL SUPPORT from the administration which is lacking from a majority of schools in this commonwealth.

Amen!!!!!

I have been told by someone from Boyle County that the employment opportunities increased dramatically in the area, bringing in more population. This increased the number of good athletes available, coupled with coaching and the new support of the community and thus a program was established.

Sustaining this juggernaut for the next ten years or so should be intereting to watch.

I have been told by someone from Boyle County that the employment opportunities increased dramatically in the area, bringing in more population. This increased the number of good athletes available, coupled with coaching and the new support of the community and thus a program was established.

Sustaining this juggernaut for the next ten years or so should be intereting to watch.

 

 

That's a good question to ask and one I hope someone can bring perspective too. Maybe RebelK.

 

I know that some of the above mentioned talent was already there and are actually the 2nd generation of Rebels such as the Tammes. I believe some of the others are the same and wonder if someone can enlighten us one just how many were transplants (say moved into the area from somewhere else) and how many had strong roots and ties from family in the Danville/Boyle area. I think it would be 50/50 but I can definitely be wrong.

That's a good question to ask and one I hope someone can bring perspective too. Maybe RebelK.

 

I know that some of the above mentioned talent was already there and are actually the 2nd generation of Rebels such as the Tammes. I believe some of the others are the same and wonder if someone can enlighten us one just how many were transplants (say moved into the area from somewhere else) and how many had strong roots and ties from family in the Danville/Boyle area. I think it would be 50/50 but I can definitely be wrong.

It could be because of employment in Boyle County (factory wise and such) but if you look at the athletes at Boyle County - it seems to me that we continue to have the same families on a continuous basis. That's not to say that we don't have new families but we seem to continue on with the same families generation after generation. My family is looking at kids playing now when their father played 30 years ago and their uncles even more years back than that. I think if you looked at the athletes you will find that there are kids in every sports that can say the same. It just seems to me that our families are established and that has to have something to do with our traditions. I hope that wasn't too much babble and helps with the question a little.

1. Boyle county does not beat themselves. 2. they do the little things just as if they are of equal importance as the major stuff. 3. The players expend so much energy before during, and after the season that losing is not an option. 4. they do not panic when they are down, they expect to win.

5. It also has not hurt having Bart Johnson (Georgetown college) Jeff Duggins (Mr. football), Brandon Smith (Western Ky) as the QB's. 6. Stability in the program, coaches that have stayed around and have resisted head coaching opportunities to stay at Boyle. 7. Yes, they have had some talented players but so do a lot of schools however, Boyle coaches use them wisely and get them to buy into the system that is best for the "TEAM"

Just a few reasons for their success. also... Chuck put a lot of time and preparation in the first 3 or 4 seasons to get the program built. Chuck also said many times that his "style" would not have worked at most places but Boyle players accepted more than guys from some other schools. they are thick skinned whereas in other places they would have quit... and did. Very demanding... but a heck of a coach.