This should change the dynamic a little.

 

This is not about the Coach with the best history per se, as much as it is about factoring all things in to determine who is the best coach for the present and the future.

 

If you were starting a program from scratch who would you want?

 

Assume they are building everything from the start: Feeder Program, Strength and Conditioning, Boosters, everything!

 

Explain your reasoning.

I'll lead off and set the tone a bit...

 

Obviously if I am awarding the BEST coach I am looking at Beatty and Haywood, but neither of those guys would be my choice here. Both are in the upper ranges of their career and I want someone to be the "Next Haywood" or the "Next Beatty".

 

In that note I probably am not considering some other heavy hitters.

 

The Guys At The Top of My List:

Jim Matney- He has already built two programs essentially to his specifications

 

Brandon Smith- Look what he has done at South Warren and he has the pedigree

 

Stefan LeFors- He has basically brought CAL to a dominant level and their feeder program is fantastic

 

Shawn Thompson- He knows how to play the long game and has made rural Wayne County a solid program

 

 

 

If I had to make a choice I would probably go LeFors. He has the big name, he has youth, and he has a track record of not only building a program but getting guys noticed by colleges.

^ Agreed

So many great coaches out there to choose from... Beatty, Morris, Haywood, Matney, LeFors, Wallace, and so on and so on.

 

I'll take Chuck Smith. He took over a dormant Boyle County program and turned it into one of the greatest dynasties in Kentucky High School football history.

 

The Rebels had won a combined 7 games in the four years preceding Smith's arrival. He matched that win total in his first season.

 

The year before he took over, Boyle won 1 game. Three years later, they were in a regional championship game. Two years after that, he got them to their first ever semi-final. And, three years later... well, I think we all know where this is going... 5 consecutive state titles, a record of 73-2 during that stretch, including a 47 game winning streak.

 

He might be the ultimate program builder. At this point, the only knock on him might be his age.

 

Plus, I hear that when Chuck Smith crosses the street, the cars look both ways.

Easy one for me. Chuck Smith. Why? See: Boyle County football.

Where is the hypothetical school located? City, county, metro?

Where is the hypothetical school located? City, county, metro?

 

Let's say that due to recent population boom it will be located in Kenton County and will have a 4A-5A Enrollment

So many great coaches out there to choose from... Beatty, Morris, Haywood, Matney, LeFors, Wallace, and so on and so on.

 

I'll take Chuck Smith. He took over a dormant Boyle County program and turned it into one of the greatest dynasties in Kentucky High School football history.

 

The Rebels had won a combined 7 games in the four years preceding Smith's arrival. He matched that win total in his first season.

 

The year before he took over, Boyle won 1 game. Three years later, they were in a regional championship game. Two years after that, he got them to their first ever semi-final. And, three years later... well, I think we all know where this is going... 5 consecutive state titles, a record of 73-2 during that stretch, including a 47 game winning streak.

 

He might be the ultimate program builder. At this point, the only knock on him might be his age.

 

Plus, I hear that when Chuck Smith crosses the street, the cars look both ways.

 

To me it is not only a criticism but a major one in this specific scenario. Then again my criteria may not be the same as others.

If we disregard age I have a surprise thought.

 

Larry French.

 

He took over Mercer County in 1979 and immediately the program began to build momentum. By 1986 he coached them to the Class A Semi-Finals where they lost to Heath (eventual champ). In 1988 I believe he was still the Scotties coach when he got them to go 10-2 I believe and played Danville tough in the Regionals.

 

He went to Meade County and built them into a constant playoff participant and a contender. Finished Runner-Up in AAA in 1991.

 

Went to Lincoln County and was successful.

 

His stint at Boyle was also.

 

I see him doing a lot in building a program back up or building it up for the first time.

If it is here and now, today, I would say Brandon Smith.

 

He's done a great job in a brief time at South Warren.

Danville lost to Somerset in the 88 Region Finals. I think Coach French had already gone to Meade by 88?!

If it is here and now, today, I would say Brandon Smith.

 

He's done a great job in a brief time at South Warren.

 

That is probably where I would start. I would honestly just flip a coin between Smith and LeFors.

If it is here and now, today, I would say Brandon Smith.

 

He's done a great job in a brief time at South Warren.

 

I love Brandon. I think he has done a great job. Probably learned many lessons from his dad and his playing days at WKU. The one thing you all act like you don't know is he wasn't the first coach at South Warren. Isnt even the first coach to win a regional title at South Warren.

I love Brandon. I think he has done a great job. Probably learned many lessons from his dad and his playing days at WKU. The one thing you all act like you don't know is he wasn't the first coach at South Warren. Isnt even the first coach to win a regional title at South Warren.

 

Recency bias. South Warren also wasn't a program that was built like most programs are built. And I am a huge Brandon Smith fan also. I'm interested in seeing where he ends up next when he leaves South Warren.

Danville lost to Somerset in the 88 Region Finals. I think Coach French had already gone to Meade by 88?!

 

I was somehow thinking he was still there. You could very well be right Harry.

 

Actually Somerset beat the Ads in the Semi-Finals in '88. It was Sam Harp's first year and they rebounded from 0-3 to get that far.