So what does that tell you about the whole "wanting to spend more time with the family" explanation?

 

"Wanting to spend more time with the family" is the stock in trade answer when departing a program where:

 

1) The coach has been given the option of resigning or being fired.

 

2) The coach chooses to leave due to adverse conditions, the cupboard being bare, or that he was coaching under duress, but chooses not to burn bridges.

 

3) He is tired of the grind, wishes to take a step back, evaluate his situation, and become more of a family man, until a more favorable opportunity comes his way.

 

Buddy Biggs the former coach at Mason County is a good example. He stayed on at Mason County where he continues to teach and does spend more time with his family.

 

In Grant's case, my thinking is that a six year commitment where he is leaving the program in better shape than he found it should be commended. In some programs the expectations bar is unrealistically high and you just cannot make the fan base happy. With the graduations incurred this year at Walton, Grant may have simply not wished to start a major re-build, making it a good time to go out on top.

 

Or there is that rare possibility that, since he is apparently staying on to teach, that he is really stepping down to spend more time with his family. That would be a novel thought.

I called this during the season, 9 Srs and nothing in the pipeline. He did not build that team or anything else at WV, rode those boys for what glory he could get and then quits.

 

You also called for Walton’s demise earlier in the season because of coach Brannen, and you were wrong about that too. As far as the pipeline a Deontae Miles only comes once in a blue moon, the Walton program will continue to produce tough nosed kids who will play for the name on the front of their jersey. My guess is if coach Brannen would have lost during Regionals you would have been on here beating your chest how you were right and they should run Brannen out of town, instead he goes to the state quarterfinals and your complaining that he’s leaving. It’s comical how you continue to attribute this teams success only to their summer play. Also the smoke screen of your affiliation to Gallatin County is weak. Give it a rest!

Good luck coach Brannen, I look forward to seeing you on the sideline in the future if that’s what you choose to do.

So what does that tell you about the whole "wanting to spend more time with the family" explanation?

 

It doesn't confirm or deny it.

It doesn't confirm or deny it.

 

I see it as a denial. I guess it is the eye of the beholder thing.

I think every one will agree Brannen done a very commendable job at WV. We pretty much know that these coaches do this for the love of the game, not the money. Word is that Brannen's father has some health issues and there was problems with some of the parents this season. The parental problems were not about playing time, but about the two kids that played the most minutes. He just felt it was the best time to step down.

I think every one will agree Brannen done a very commendable job at WV. We pretty much know that these coaches do this for the love of the game, not the money. Word is that Brannen's father has some health issues and there was problems with some of the parents this season. The parental problems were not about playing time, but about the two kids that played the most minutes. He just felt it was the best time to step down.

 

Definetly closer to the truth. I do not know about his father, I hope he is ok.

How many kids quit under Brannen’s “program”? How many did he try to retain? Rumor has it that NCCwas very happy that Walton took him off their hands! Likely excuse that he resigned due to parents of Senior athletes, who won’t be there next year!

Concur 100%, and this old brain seems to recall that as Brannen was coming to WV their two best players (Moeves brothers) transferred to NewCath leaving the WV cupboard completely bare. Brannen's 1st year was 4-20 with four sr.s supporting the cupboard's void . His program went 14-14 the next year and improved annually to this stellar year. Can't a young all-star coach move on without getting skewered?

 

As equally important, Brannen was also void of any of the McNeil brothers as well so I thought he did a great job. Good luck to him in the future and I have a feeling he will end up courtside somewhere.

As equally important, Brannen was also void of any of the McNeil brothers as well so I thought he did a great job. Good luck to him in the future and I have a feeling he will end up courtside somewhere.

Whatever school (if any?) gets him, their program will have an upward future. Always suspected his movement from NCC was to logically get in the public school environment and appropriate benefits (pay, retirement, etc).

Whatever school (if any?) gets him, their program will have an upward future. Always suspected his movement from NCC was to logically get in the public school environment and appropriate benefits (pay, retirement, etc).

 

That has been my understanding also, my gut feeling is he is done coaching at this level, time will tell.

How many kids quit under Brannen’s “program”? How many did he try to retain? Rumor has it that NCCwas very happy that Walton took him off their hands! Likely excuse that he resigned due to parents of Senior athletes, who won’t be there next year!

 

NCC was not happy when he left. They liked him there a lot. Coach Brannen is highly thought of in the coaching fraternity.

Who are all the applicants?

Who are all the applicants?

 

Probably need to give it about a month from now before that will start to shake out.

Who are all the applicants?

 

I’ve heard a few names, but this thread is more about Coach Brannen. There is another thread about possible applicants.