I received a text this morning that said coach Mark Peach was let go by Anderson County after 15 years as head coach of the Bearcats.

114-65 in 15 seasons with a 5A state finals appearance in 2011.

 

I seem to remember reading about some significant complaining going on in Lawrenceburg after the Bearcats went 5-6 in 2015 and 4-7 in 2016, and then they just followed up a 10-1 season in 2018 by going 4-7 this past season, but if I was the AD making the call, I'm not sure that I would part ways with a long-term coach like that unless there's something else at play.

 

Can anyone confirm whether or not the job is open? Or whether the decision was made by the school, or by Coach Peach?

I heard he was let go this morning. Trying to confirm right now.

114-65 in 15 seasons with a 5A state finals appearance in 2011.

 

I seem to remember reading about some significant complaining going on in Lawrenceburg after the Bearcats went 5-6 in 2015 and 4-7 in 2016, and then they just followed up a 10-1 season in 2018 by going 4-7 this past season, but if I was the AD making the call, I'm not sure that I would part ways with a long-term coach like that unless there's something else at play.

 

Can anyone confirm whether or not the job is open? Or whether the decision was made by the school, or by Coach Peach?

 

It's not like Anderson County has had that many great runs in their football program. Why get rid of a coach that may have the best record since Sam Harp was there in the mid 80's?

If you’re going to let go of him then why didn’t they do it sooner? Meaning, why wait until the end of February.

If you’re going to let go of him then why didn’t they do it sooner? Meaning, why wait until the end of February.

 

Agreed, it is Bush League to the umpteenth degree. Should be mandatory that if you are not renewing the football coach for their coaching duties you let them know by Christmas Break. Not letting them know so they can get another job is just a disgrace.

I'd hope there is another reason as to why he was let go... You don't fire a tenured coach with that kind of record for no reason.

Mark is a really good football coach and did a wonderful job at Anderson. He is a good friend as well.

 

Wish him the best.

Almost all coaches are teachers as well. Principals are under a lot of pressure to have high quality teachers in the classroom as well. Sometimes taking away a coach's supplemental duty either gives them more free time to straighten up as a teacher or gives the principal an opportunity to replace them with a better teacher come hiring season.

 

I don't know much about the situation, but coaches are under year to year contracts so there may have been loose ends the admin wanted tied up before they made a change.

That said, he will land on his feet.

Edited February 25, 20206 yr by Straitshooter
double posted

Anderson County weekly newspaper editor says,"BREAKING: Mark Peach, the winningest football coach in Anderson County history, won’t return as the head coach for the Bearcats next season, sources confirm to the Anderson News."

 

Twitter

 

I confirmed it as well. This is strange timing to say the least.

Almost all coaches are teachers as well. Principals are under a lot of pressure to have high quality teachers in the classroom as well. Sometimes taking away a coach's supplemental duty either gives them more free time to straighten up as a teacher or gives the principal an opportunity to replace them with a better teacher come hiring season.

 

I don't know much about the situation, but coaches are under year to year contracts so there may have been loose ends the admin wanted tied up before they made a change.

 

Yes but you can't get rid of them as a teacher when they have tenure, he was there fifteen seasons so he has tenure. You have to really mess up to lose your teaching job once you are tenured.

Yes but you can't get rid of them as a teacher when they have tenure, he was there fifteen seasons so he has tenure. You have to really mess up to lose your teaching job once you are tenured.

 

But by taking this away, it gives that tenured teacher less reason to want to be there, especially if they still have the fire & desire to coach..... That being said, I've been in places before that ran through coaches like I go through a buffet & they colleced up several from multiple sports just taking up space making it more difficult to hire in someone new due to lack of positions..... :idunno:

The Anderson County "insider" I talked to said that Peach was not on great terms with the Bearcats community going back a handful of years. Sam Harp coming on board as an assistant appeased some of the his more vocal critics but after Harp retired last year the natives got restless again. Sounds like Peach didn't have much control in the locker room and after having such a bad record last year there was some talk about a lot of players being intent on either quitting football or heading elsewhere if he was back next year.