I think/have heard it will be the opposite. The name I have heard is very experienced and somewhat local.

 

And somewhat of a gambler if he's willing to work there

Sad sad sad, crazy world we live in.

Why would you want his job? A small group of people just ran off the previous coach who was a well respected far and wide. Football is at best the 3rd place priority in boys sports behind basketball and baseball, and some years 4th behind soccer. The district includes Johnson Central and Ashland so a home playoff game will be a rare occurance if ever. It will be an uphill climb every year.

I believe the Open Letter below from Coach Graham's father to Rowan County sums up in many ways the issue. He is a retired educator and legislator, having spent thirty-two years as a teacher, coach, counselor, and administrator in public schools, the state department of education and private colleges, as well as two years as assistant to the state highway commissioner. Also, as a state representative, he served eight years on the Education Committee. He understands the nuances of the field of education and state government.

 

 

AN OPEN LETTER to the CITIZENS of ROWAN COUNTY

 

My name is Gippy Graham. I am the proud father of the former Rowan County football coach, Ray Graham.

Most likely the citizens of Rowan County who follow current events are aware that several months ago the parents of some football players initiated a malicious campaign attacking Ray’s leadership of the football program.

While this was happening I was spending the winter months out west. Since I do not participate in the world of Facebook, email and internet, I was only vaguely aware of the bizarre, vicious, hurtful and conspiratorial conversations and acts taking place in Rowan County.

Upon my return to Kentucky I have read copies of numerous Facebook, email and internet postings regarding this matter. I have also had discussions with individuals close to the situation. I now feel I have a clear understanding of what transpired and am using this venue to share my assessment of this debacle.

For clarification, I am a retired educator and legislator, having spent thirty-two years as a teacher, coach, counselor, and administrator in public schools, the state department of education and private colleges, as well as two years as assistant to the state highway commissioner. Also, as a state representative, I served eight years on the Education Committee. I state this to point out that I am both an education and state government “insider” and understand the operations and nuances of the field of education and state government.

The following is my “insiders” assessment along with comments.

*There were a few possibly no more than four-sets of parents, who were fueled by selfish motives of wanting preferential treatment for their children, along with determining the style of play and control of the booster club.

*Realizing the coach would not yield to their power moves, the disgruntled parents started a campaign to have Coach Graham removed.

*Unsubstantiated charges were made along with insinuations that Coach Graham’s actions were contrary to the Christian values he espouses.

*The critics found a willing ear with the administrators who yielded to the disgruntled parents and turned against Coach Graham. This was after Coach Graham had been told that the administration was 100% supportive of him.

*Coach Graham was told that he would no longer be allowed on school property and he couldn’t have any contact or communication with the football team, students or school personnel. Failure to adhere to the decree would result in insubordination charges.

*The high school administrators complied in enforcing the directive.

*Convinced the critics would not cease their attacks, and desiring the issue to go away, a new coach was hired.

*The disgruntled parents are joyful and feel empowered that they accomplished their mission.

*Strong, effective leadership was lacking throughout the debacle.

*Coach Graham’s teaching assignment included a class titled, VIKING SUCCESS, which was for at-risk youths. It was structured to improve study skills, improve attitudes, inspiring students to believe in themselves and to become successful. The lives and words of people such as Zig Ziglar, Lou Holtz, John Maxwell, Winston Churchill, Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy and biblical characters Job and Daniel, along with others were used as positive examples. Surprisingly, Coach Graham was informed that he was forbidden to use inspirational examples of any biblical characters in his interaction with the football team.

It has always been my understanding as a coach and state representative, who served on the education committee that the justification for spending public funds on athletic programs is for the educational benefits athletics provide. For a coach, the locker room and football field are the coach’s classrooms where life’s lessons are taught. It’s reasonable to assume that school administrators would understand this. The Bible is a history book and as such, the Christian content and personalities listed therein can be freely discussed in a classroom. It calls into question the motive for wanting to suppress biblical examples.

As a father who admires his son for the quality person he is, I want to thank the hundreds of students, parents and community members who, early on, recognized the situation for what it was and rallied in support of Coach Graham. I am especially grateful for the leadership of Kim Thomas, Charlotte Combess, and Miranda Kissick Deem, football parents, who never waivered in their belief in the coach and to David Morris, who played for Coach Graham during his first tenure at Rowan County, for leading a community-wide effort in rebutting the false charges. Additionally I want to extend my appreciation to the football coaching staff for their loyalty to Coach Graham. I am also appreciative to the team who, with the exception of two players, signed a petition supporting Coach Graham. I’m also appreciative and proud of the football players who demonstrated great character and maturity for refusing to submit to pressure to validate false charges intended to besmirch Coach Graham.

I wish the Rowan County community well.

Gippy Graham

I'd say that sums it up nicely.

BGPs, you don't find them better than Coach Graham! I believe clarity has arrived.

Rowan County sports = Hot Mess

For those of us fortunate enough to know Coach Graham, we already know this to be true. I do believe Coach Peterson to be a stand-up guy as well, and the football team is in good hands...however, there should never have been a Head Coaching change. Coach Graham will rise up from this unfortunate situation. He is a very good man and the players and students of Rowan County are missing out on an exceptional leader.

Gippy Graham was the basketball coach at Boyle County when my Dad was the football coach and was a very good friend to my Dad. Great family.

Very nice post from Coach Graham's father...well said...only wish there was justice done on Coach Graham's behalf.

Very nice post from Coach Graham's father...well said...only wish there was justice done on Coach Graham's behalf.

The justice is that he's now free from the circus of Rowan County.

The Office of Education Accountability final report did not mention all the unsubstantiated charges against (brought by no more than four parents) Coach Graham that could not be validated but did say the Athletic Director should have done more to see if the charges brought against him were true. It was damning to her, the principal and superintendent. They were already investigating another sport within the school. This could have been one of the reasons they elected to hang Coach Graham out to dry.

Channel 27 WKYT-TV is advertising that Thursday Night the 25th at 6:00 a special interview with Coach Ray Graham "A Lesson for His Players; He Now Takes to Heart" A long time coach finally speaks out about violations against his former team. Looks like it will be worth watching.

Uh oh...

Can we get those parents that started on witch hunt a membership to bluegrass preps?