How about pulling Sam Sparks out of retirement? Ron Reed? Lake Kelly? Troy Lee Thomas? Charlie Baker? Rex Cooksey? Jim Bob Hicks?

How about Gary Kidwell?

 

 

Frances

 

 

PS - when did Rex Cooksey retire?

How about pulling Sam Sparks out of retirement? Ron Reed? Lake Kelly? Troy Lee Thomas? Charlie Baker? Rex Cooksey? Jim Bob Hicks?

 

For what it's worth, I always thought that Charlie Baker was an excellent coach, a better person, and one heckuva role model for the kids at East Carter. :thumb:

 

 

Frances

As an Ashland fan, I know the talent is down. I know the numbers aren't there. Our population has declined severely in the past decade. That has hit all youth sports in town, IMO. We're not blind to the fact that we're not sending out Surgalski's and Umberger's on the court every year. Well, most of us. We don't expect, as wild as this may sound, to have a random group of kids come together around December and win games. Most Ashland fans can cope with this group of talent not winning a region title every year.

 

Regardless, when a team like Russell wins the region title after playing horrendous basketball in the AIT in December, and then putting on a terrible performance at Rupp, it opens everyones eyes to the overall weakness of the region. If a stronger team was winning the region every year, we as Ashland fans would not worry about not winning the region. But in the very weak 16th region, I feel as an Tomcat fan that Ashland can win the region every year even with less talent than years past. It's not crazy at all to believe a new coach can come in here and win the region next year. We're realistic about our situation, but we know anyone can win the 16th.

Not all coaches listed were retired coaches Frances.

How about George Bellamy? Tim Moore? Kelly Middleton? Steve Hall?

I still say Ashland, in the long run, would be better off with a coach who knows the job and its nuances firsthand. For the next coach to succeed, he needs to be aware of the political climate as well as the basketball climate in this region in general and in Ashland in particular. Kidwell is a good choice. He has no ties to Boyd County or to Rose Hill and, with some boosters, that is a requirement. Youth is needed to breath life into this program from elementary through high school. Though not high profile statwide, he is a winner. Ashland needs a winner and not someone who has a good past history. Flynn had a good past history but I still say that he left a lesser program than he received nine years ago and, by Ashland requirements, past history, and standards, he had a mediocre tenure.

scooterbob must be hallucinating today.

Kidwell has his hands full trying to beat Rose Hill, Rowan, Raceland, Ashland, and the Carter County schools.

Not all coaches listed were retired coaches Frances.

How about George Bellamy? Tim Moore? Kelly Middleton? Steve Hall?

 

No bite on Gary Kidwell? I thought he was a class act while he was at Lewis... :thumb:

 

 

Frances

He had a great run from 76-78 with three district titles and two region semifinal appearances at Lewis County.

Not sure if he has been contacted or not.

He had a great run from 76-78 with three district titles and two region semifinal appearances at Lewis County.

Not sure if he has been contacted or not.

 

Well, I'm throwing his hat in the ring for him. He was great to listen to, when the game was over, and he seemed like he was always smiling.

 

Just the kind of man a refined lady wouldn't mind being seen on the arm of, at a County Fair...

 

 

Frances

If you want an older coach with more experience - interview Bill Mike Runyon. If you want an young, enthusiastic coach - interview Troy Lee Thomas.

Mark Starns?

Funny thing about Bill Mike Runyon. I can remember that right before Paintsville went on that great run in the mid 90's, there was a strong contingent in Johnson County calling for his head.

 

I don't see Runyon going anywhere - he's a legend now.

 

 

Frances

Funny thing about Bill Mike Runyon. I can remember that right before Paintsville went on that great run in the mid 90's, there was a strong contingent in Johnson County calling for his head.

 

I don't see Runyon going anywhere - he's a legend now.

 

 

Frances

 

I'm not a big Bill Mike fan (being from Magoffin Co. and all), but out of respect I'll have to admit to anyone that he can flat out coach.

I dont think any of those names are being considered. Zornes is the only one I would like to see on the Ashland sidelines.

Just wondering if that is the same Roger Zornes that played here in Owensboro at Kentucky Wesleyan in the mid 70's. If it is then I remember him well. I was only about 15 when he was here, but he was quite a defensive player and if memory serves me correct he had some really bad knees and played with a lot of desire and never backed down from anyone. Gotta love that.

Yes it is.

His teams always play hard and tough.

A winner wherever he has been.

How about pulling Sam Sparks out of retirement? Ron Reed? Lake Kelly? Troy Lee Thomas? Charlie Baker? Rex Cooksey? Jim Bob Hicks?

 

Talk about somebody today's youngsters MIGHT have a problem playing for...:lol:

 

Don't get me wrong, I think very highly of Coach Reed but his methods may not play well with the kids at Ashland if Flynn rubbed them the wrong way...