First, support has typically been strong from the fans. The problem is they've struggled for such a long period of time, right at a time when attendance has waned at all high school events, that it appears people aren't interested.

 

Second, regarding the administration, I can't speak for anyone in charge because I don't really known any of them. I do know their football hires from the time Marty Jaggers left have all made sense:

 

1. Tim Estes, Lincoln County native, former assistant who had also been a head coach at Webster County

 

2. Rob Lucas, Lincoln County native, former assistant who had no success but has since been great at Somerset

 

3. Larry French, long time successful coach who gave Lincoln four good years then went on to Boyle County (a move every coach would make) and then Southwestern

 

4. Mike Settles, had been very good as a head coach at Ohio County and Bullitt East but for whatever reason it just didn't happen at Lincoln

 

5. Travis Leffew, a known name who had also been an assistant but was also the athletic director, double duty that's pretty tough for a football coach to pull anymore

 

Finally, your point regarding rural size of the county is true. I've spoken with several coaches familiar with Lincoln who say that while the school enrollment might be 5A (moving to 4A) in reality you're mostly pulling kids from Stanford (a small town) and then a few from the rural areas. They've had good county players in the past (Jeremy Simpson was from Crab Orchard, Ryan Young was from Waynesburg) but you can't expect much depth from those areas.

 

The Rural point is exactly the point I am making those kids dont play yet two of the best athletes in school history are from there. The numbers show that the Rural kids out in the county dont play which as I said I have heard is from travel issues.

 

Secondly I said before that it was not a Knock on the coaches as I think that is a list of fine leaders and fine football coaches.

 

The Original statement was lack of support and as I said the perception from the outside in is that basketball is more important you can take that for what you want but everyone I have talked to brings that up at some point. So I was simply answering the original question from someone who is looking from the outside.

The Rural point is exactly the point I am making those kids dont play yet two of the best athletes in school history are from there. The numbers show that the Rural kids out in the county dont play which as I said I have heard is from travel issues.

 

Secondly I said before that it was not a Knock on the coaches as I think that is a list of fine leaders and fine football coaches.

 

The Original statement was lack of support and as I said the perception from the outside in is that basketball is more important you can take that for what you want but everyone I have talked to brings that up at some point. So I was simply answering the original question from someone who is looking from the outside.

 

Cat, I agree. My post wasn't meant to knock your post. From a somewhat outsider's perspective I'm seeing much of the same thing. :thumb:

Cat, I agree. My post wasn't meant to knock your post. From a somewhat outsider's perspective I'm seeing much of the same thing. :thumb:

 

I got you but I wanted to clarify anyway just in case anyone took what I said to be fact or that I didn't like the coaches.

This job will be hard until there are advocates for multi-sport athletes within the school system. There is no reason to specialize, and there are capable two-sport/three-sport kids that are doing that. This has been the theme for the past decade. As mentioned, the county is not deep enough to have athletes specialize and still be successful in Football. Obviously, you can't force kids to play football but the culture currently is conducive to kids to specialize in basketball.

This job will be hard until there are advocates for multi-sport athletes within the school system. There is no reason to specialize, and there are capable two-sport/three-sport kids that are doing that. This has been the theme for the past decade. As mentioned, the county is not deep enough to have athletes specialize and still be successful in Football. Obviously, you can't force kids to play football but the culture currently is conducive to kids to specialize in basketball.

 

Good points Lethal. What is funny is that during the Jackson Era at Lincoln basketball they've been to the state tournament twice - both times with nearly all of the main players also playing football.

As long as Jeff Jackson is there, he will make sure basketball rules the roost.

As long as Jeff Jackson is there, he will make sure basketball rules the roost.

 

But that's not a good strategy considering the best years in Lincoln's history have seen key contributors playing both football and basketball and in this decade of specialization that has hurt the football program has really only seen the basketball team as a key 12th Region contender one time.

Good points Lethal. What is funny is that during the Jackson Era at Lincoln basketball they've been to the state tournament twice - both times with nearly all of the main players also playing football.

 

Exactly. And in that same era, the football program has produced 2 Division I Football Players (Miller/Calhoun WKU) while the basketball program has produced several collegiate players, but zero Division I players. I'm not hating on Jackson. He's a solid coach, and has done well for the basketball program. I just believe kids should play everything they can, while they can. And they are more likely to do that when people in charge encourage instead of discourage.

I know of 3 names that have applied and are getting interviewed. 2 have been HC before and 1 hasn't but is a good young coach. Should be interesting.

I know of 3 names that have applied and are getting interviewed. 2 have been HC before and 1 hasn't but is a good young coach. Should be interesting.

 

Anyone currently on staff?

Anyone currently on staff?

 

Not that I am aware of.

The kids that love football in Lincoln probably just transfer to Boyle or Danville.

I heard they are interviewing next week. Any idea on who they're bringing in?

The kids that love football in Lincoln probably just transfer to Boyle or Danville.

 

Don't think so. Have seen very few transfers from Lincoln that in involved athletics. I actually cannot think of even one. Not saying there hasn't been but just don't really remember it.

Hire will be announced this week,

I’m told.