Parents complain from the little leagues to the big leagues. Sometimes it's justified--most often it's not and is related to the parents over-inflated opinion of their daughters ability. The problems occur when the administration doesn't have the coaches back--especially when the complaining is unwarranted.

 

I've seen several coaches fired, or quit, because of weak AD's and principals. Schools afraid of not getting that big donation they've already spent in their minds--$$$. Parents going to their brother/sister/cousin on the school board because their daughter isn't playing enough or in the "right" position. Sometimes it's just a new, good coach who tried to actually "coach" and is seen as being "too hard" on the players.

 

Sometimes the coach just gets tired of dealing with it no matter their experience level.

While not privy to all of the insider details of NDA, I'd say that having a coach physically confronted at an end of season gathering might be the straw that broke the panda's back. Apparently the school overlooked the behavior until outside powers got involved and they had to act. Lanham quit not too long after that incident. Was she a good or bad coach? I don't know either way--same with McCourt. I just hope he has better support from the administration once the parents come gunning for him.

Parents complain from the little leagues to the big leagues. Sometimes it's justified--most often it's not and is related to the parents over-inflated opinion of their daughters ability. The problems occur when the administration doesn't have the coaches back--especially when the complaining is unwarranted.

 

I've seen several coaches fired, or quit, because of weak AD's and principals. Schools afraid of not getting that big donation they've already spent in their minds--$$$. Parents going to their brother/sister/cousin on the school board because their daughter isn't playing enough or in the "right" position. Sometimes it's just a new, good coach who tried to actually "coach" and is seen as being "too hard" on the players.

 

Sometimes the coach just gets tired of dealing with it no matter their experience level.

While not privy to all of the insider details of NDA, I'd say that having a coach physically confronted at an end of season gathering might be the straw that broke the panda's back. Apparently the school overlooked the behavior until outside powers got involved and they had to act. Lanham quit not too long after that incident. Was she a good or bad coach? I don't know either way--same with McCourt. I just hope he has better support from the administration once the parents come gunning for him.

 

Incidents like this are the end of good coaches. The school attempts to cover it up, the local press is nonexistent to anything the least bit controversial, and few know the real story. The sports at NDA are ruled by the mob mentality, adults who never really grew up and throw tantrums when a coach makes a tough decision for the better of the program. I'm a Holmes graduate without a dog in this fight other than some friends who have kids at NDA, but it's sad to see coaches run off because of a group of parents.

You hate hearing it? Do you support a bunch of unqualified adults complaining because their girl doesn't get to play setter because the coach knows they have a better player at that position?

 

Absolutely not. I believe the coach is in charge and parents shouldn't coach.

 

Are you trying to say it's alright for an entitled 15 year old to run to the athletic director and whine about not getting enough playing time?

 

Again, no. An AD has no business having an opinion that is other than the coaches regarding playing time.

 

You are correct about the sideshow drama at NDA. That's why so much is wrong at the place.

 

Alpha Parents as you call them are the biggest crybabies in high school sports. Frankly, I can't believe Lanham stayed at NDA as long as she did with the parents and outside influences any coach puts up with. What's head coaching experience have to do with a flawed school putting up with bad parents controlling a sports program?

 

Because in my opinion, seasoned coaches are much more likely to handle the rigors of a program like NDA.

 

One answer would be a strong AD and administration that would simply tell the parents your kid is going to play by the coaches rules, or you're not going to play. Period. Your attitude appears to be the problem that plagues many of these high school programs. You hate hearing it? Do you stick your head in the sand and just let people walk over innocent coaches because they don't have experience? Great example you are. I would say your attitude re: coaches is one of the big problem at any high school that allows parents and boosters to try to run the show.

 

Innocent coaches? lol That's rich. Come everyone, we must rise up and defend these frail little defenseless beings in need of our protection! PLEASE! Coaches are dictators. 99.9% of the time there is no recourse for a kid or parent to take if a coach decides little Janey is out and Jill is in. Nor in my opinion should there be. Little Janey should go to the coach and ask what she can do to either get her spot back or earn playing time somewhere else. If the coach doesn't allow either of those to happen, then tough. That's life... and sometimes it isn't fair... now deal with it. I am not an everybody deserves a happy ending or trophy kind of guy, and I believe kids learn much more by dealing with adversity.

 

Somehow you seem to think I am an alpha parent in favor of the chaos. I'm not. But unlike you, I'm not blaming the parents for the entire issue. I'm blaming the coach, AD and administration too. Those three have a responsibility to set the tone for acceptable behavior by the players and parents, and then follow-up decisively when issues arise. You don't believe anymore than I do that the coach being confronted at the end of the year was the first issue with that group. The parents may have been the bad actors at the end of the scene put who allowed them to be on the stage?

 

As far as coaches stepping down or retiring, I get it that sometimes they get tired of dealing with the bullcrap, but if you are a seasoned coach you know what it is you're signing up for when you take the job, and you deal with it. In situations where the AD or Administration don't support a coach or cave in to pressure from a parent, I'm sympathetic. But the fault in those situations is on the AD and Administration in my mind.

Edited August 9, 201610 yr by Randy Parker
Rule 8

99% of NKY schools would love to have NDA's volleyball "problems" lol.

 

If things were as bad as you all make it sound, good players would stop going there. They clearly haven't, even through a coaching change. The school and the volleyball program tradition is bigger than any coach, player, or parent.

 

HS sports drama is nothing new and usually rooted in, what else, playing time. Look around, it's in every school, every sport.

99% of NKY schools would love to have NDA's volleyball "problems" lol.

 

If things were as bad as you all make it sound, good players would stop going there. They clearly haven't, even through a coaching change. The school and the volleyball program tradition is bigger than any coach, player, or parent.

 

HS sports drama is nothing new and usually rooted in, what else, playing time. Look around, it's in every school, every sport.

I agree.

 

And I'm not trying to blow the whole thing up into something its not. Sorry if it sounds that way. I am unaware of any parent drama at NDA in the past two years to compete with Andrea's final season. There may be some, I just haven't heard of it. And if you look back you will see that I'm not the one who started this whole conversation.

Absolutely not. I believe the coach is in charge and parents shouldn't coach.

 

 

 

Again, no. An AD has no business having an opinion that is other than the coaches regarding playing time.

 

 

 

Because in my opinion, seasoned coaches are much more likely to handle the rigors of a program like NDA.

 

 

 

Innocent coaches? lol That's rich. Come everyone, we must rise up and defend these frail little defenseless beings in need of our protection! PLEASE! Coaches are dictators. 99.9% of the time there is no recourse for a kid or parent to take if a coach decides little Janey is out and Jill is in. Nor in my opinion should there be. Little Janey should go to the coach and ask what she can do to either get her spot back or earn playing time somewhere else. If the coach doesn't allow either of those to happen, then tough. That's life... and sometimes it isn't fair... now deal with it. I am not an everybody deserves a happy ending or trophy kind of guy, and I believe kids learn much more by dealing with adversity.

 

Somehow you seem to think I am an alpha parent in favor of the chaos. I'm not. But unlike you, I'm not blaming the parents for the entire issue. I'm blaming the coach, AD and administration too. Those three have a responsibility to set the tone for acceptable behavior by the players and parents, and then follow-up decisively when issues arise. You don't believe anymore than I do that the coach being confronted at the end of the year was the first issue with that group. The parents may have been the bad actors at the end of the scene put who allowed them to be on the stage?

 

As far as coaches stepping down or retiring, I get it that sometimes they get tired of dealing with the bullcrap, but if you are a seasoned coach you know what it is you're signing up for when you take the job, and you deal with it. In situations where the AD or Administration don't support a coach or cave in to pressure from a parent, I'm sympathetic. But the fault in those situations is on the AD and Administration in my mind.

 

Since you contradicted yourself numerous times, I will not argue. I think we all can agree the parents ran off a good coach (Lanham), and the NDA administration looked the other way and hoped it would go away. High school sports, 21st century style.

I agree.

 

And I'm not trying to blow the whole thing up into something its not. Sorry if it sounds that way. I am unaware of any parent drama at NDA in the past two years to compete with Andrea's final season. There may be some, I just haven't heard of it. And if you look back you will see that I'm not the one who started this whole conversation.

 

You obviously have missed a lot! lol. They just ran off the girls basketball coach for no reason other than their little agendas. Don't be surprised if NDA is looking for a new volleyball coach at the end of the upcoming season. This will be three straight years without a state title for the coach, unacceptable by NDA parental standards.

Since you contradicted yourself numerous times, I will not argue. I think we all can agree the parents ran off a good coach (Lanham), and the NDA administration looked the other way and hoped it would go away. High school sports, 21st century style.

Please point out my contradictions.

You obviously have missed a lot! lol. They just ran off the girls basketball coach for no reason other than their little agendas. Don't be surprised if NDA is looking for a new volleyball coach at the end of the upcoming season. This will be three straight years without a state title for the coach, unacceptable by NDA parental standards.

 

Actually I know quite a bit about the former basketball coach, and he ran himself off. The AD's issues with him which forced him to leave had nothing to do with the parents. I'm sure the parents were a handful but he managed them. I think Buck's fine.

I figured as much. Anyone close to the NDA scene knows the parents and outside influences (club teams) are in control of the coaches. I was not saying Lanham was like a hall of fame coach, but she deserved a better fate than the administration/parents/outside influences caused in her departure. I don't blame Lanham for leaving at all. But I do not like the way these supposed adults can bully a coach in any sport, depending on the school, into leaving even when the coach is doing a good job.

 

The sad thing is NDA is not the only school this happens out. Good coaches leave schools all the time because the lack of support from administration. Makes me sick to see an AD that does nothing for their coaches or their programs. From a parents standpoint your job is to support your coaches and your player. Most parents seem to forget the 1st part of that...

Please point out my contradictions.

 

Just read all of what you wrote. It's a contradiction in itself. You state there are indeed problems with parents, administration, etc, with coaching at NDA. You then act like it's not OK, then turn around and try to spin "but with an experienced coach like Buck" who is, by the way, also having his problems with the parents. Lots of them.

The volleyball state tournament in Kentucky will soon go the way of slow-pitch softball. With only a handful of schools that take the sport seriously, it's a non-event. The two Louisville regions and Notre Dame/St. Henry are the only programs worth watching at the state. Many of the regions send teams to the state so far out of touch with modern volleyball it's painful to see them on the same court as said programs.

I will have to agree to disagree with you. While those two teams are great I think Scott has made some noise these past three years coming out of the 10 region to far in the state tournament.

I will have to agree to disagree with you. While those two teams are great I think Scott has made some noise these past three years coming out of the 10 region to far in the state tournament.

 

I'll have to agree to disagree with you as well. Scott can credit their trips to state the last two (not three) years to regional realignment. Scott went in 2014 and 2015. Campbell went in 2012 and 2013. Before that it was the NewCath show until they got moved to the 9th.

 

And noise??? Two years ago they beat two terrible teams in Raceland and Christian County, then were drilled by Mercy. Mercy had 15 aces in that match. Scott had 5 back in serve receive and still got aced. Last year they played a 12 loss North Oldham team in the first round and lost. Not much noise that I could hear and I was at all of those matches.

Villa Madonna 88 girls, (I'd like to have seen the group of girls play who won state for them. True David and Goliath stuff.)

 

There two best players, as I recall, were Lori Erpenbeck (well over 6' tall, which back then, was unheard of -- sister to THAT Erpenbeck) and Fredda Simpson. Fredda, for those that don't know, went on to be the gorgeous blonde shortstop in "A League of Their Own."

I'll have to agree to disagree with you as well. Scott can credit their trips to state the last two (not three) years to regional realignment. Scott went in 2014 and 2015. Campbell went in 2012 and 2013. Before that it was the NewCath show until they got moved to the 9th.

 

And noise??? Two years ago they beat two terrible teams in Raceland and Christian County, then were drilled by Mercy. Mercy had 15 aces in that match. Scott had 5 back in serve receive and still got aced. Last year they played a 12 loss North Oldham team in the first round and lost. Not much noise that I could hear and I was at all of those matches.

 

You are right on. Scott a non-factor in the state. The match against Mercy was comical and an example of a team with no idea of how to simply receive a serve. The Mercy coaches were laughing about Scott's inability to pass a jump serve, but that goes to show what I said. To their credit, Scott does attempt to field a good volleyball program, unlike the mountain schools and those in the western part of the state. But Scott isn't a factor in the state tournament.