Does anyone have any idea who may be a canidate for the job or any sugestions?

Does anyone have any idea who may be a canidate for the job or any sugestions?

There have been many rumors fly for about the last year. First on the mill was Dudley Hylton, then came Mike Holcomb. A lot of people in the community think Tim Saylor might retire from the Superintendent Position after this year and come back and coach. The latest rumor I have heard involved Tim Hammontree. Honestly, it would suprise me if we heard anything before this time next year. Any of those 4 suit me fine. One thing I am sure of and that is the person will be a very good coach.

Not sure who Hammontree is? Tim Saylor would be a good one but he has been out of it a long time. Holcomb and Hilton would be good choices but dont think they would do it. Any chance JB would leave Harlan High? Will the 1st team be 2008 season or 2009?

Thought Hammontree left Maryville HS (TN) for Georgia and the hope scholarship opportunities for his kids. Haven't talked to Tim in a few years but this would really surprise me.

Whoever gets this job will have a gold mine, but it may take a year or two to mold the kids from the three schools. BUT they did it pretty well in Mercer Co so you might look for Harlan Co to be a force early in their football history.

I think Harlan County will be competitive with a good coach, especially in 5A, but they don't have the overall athleticism of Mercer County/Harrodsburg.

I think Harlan County will be able to build a very good program, but like any new consolidation it will take a few years and a whole lot of patience. See Letcher County Central for an example. With the new school coming into the picture, how many of the Harlan Independent players if any will transfer to the new school?

From what parents tell me, transfers for kids who are football-serious would depend a great deal on the coach. Of course, academics and facilities will be factors, but if you want to learn football in Harlan Co. right now, JB Donahue at Harlan Independent commands a lot of respect.

From what parents tell me, transfers for kids who are football-serious would depend a great deal on the coach. Of course, academics and facilities will be factors, but if you want to learn football in Harlan Co. right now, JB Donahue at Harlan Independent commands a lot of respect.

 

:thumb:

This will be an interesting hire for a number of reasons, to get a "name" coach most would want to bring in some staff members of their own, and with the consolidation of three schools and the budget problems facing this district that will be a hard sell. Next will be the situation of playing time for these kids now you have at least 15 kids per team getting most of the playing time thats 45 players looking to get on the field and thats not going to happen, so in this day and age for instant fame some kids (parents) will bolt for Harlan City or some may go to Bell Co.

I think David Hensley, former Cawood player, and current Dunbar coach would be a great hire.

Not sure who Hammontree is? Tim Saylor would be a good one but he has been out of it a long time. Holcomb and Hilton would be good choices but dont think they would do it. Any chance JB would leave Harlan High? Will the 1st team be 2008 season or 2009?

 

Tim Hammontree used to be the head coach at North Gwinnett HS in Suwanee, GA. The same school that Bob Sphire from Lex. Cath. is head coach now. Small world...

Mountain Pride 10, I respect your opinion BUT it is negative comments like this about the new school and comments that may or may not be true that are making people in Harlan County doubt that this thing can come together. Example, about the budget, when the school is opened the budget will be in better shape because they are closing 3 old schools to open one new school. Also about the kids bolting to the city or to Bell because of playing time. Well the only thing I can say to that is what about your larger schools in Lexington and Louisville that have 70 and 80 kids, I am not saying that Harlan County High School football will be compared to Louisville schools but when kids keep hearing things like this then they are going to start thinking well maybe I need to leave. The new school will be able to field a complete Freshman team with their own practices and games and the they will be able to field a complete JV team with their own games. So that the younger kids are being able to compete against kids thier own age unless they are just head and shoulders above their age group then could probably be moved up. Therefore more kids than you think will be able to compete and play. I am not from Harlan so I really don't have a dog in the fight but I think that this will be a great thing for all Harlan Countians especially the kids and that is the most important thing.

Mountain Pride 10, I respect your opinion BUT it is negative comments like this about the new school and comments that may or may not be true that are making people in Harlan County doubt that this thing can come together. Example, about the budget, when the school is opened the budget will be in better shape because they are closing 3 old schools to open one new school. Also about the kids bolting to the city or to Bell because of playing time. Well the only thing I can say to that is what about your larger schools in Lexington and Louisville that have 70 and 80 kids, I am not saying that Harlan County High School football will be compared to Louisville schools but when kids keep hearing things like this then they are going to start thinking well maybe I need to leave. The new school will be able to field a complete Freshman team with their own practices and games and the they will be able to field a complete JV team with their own games. So that the younger kids are being able to compete against kids thier own age unless they are just head and shoulders above their age group then could probably be moved up. Therefore more kids than you think will be able to compete and play. I am not from Harlan so I really don't have a dog in the fight but I think that this will be a great thing for all Harlan Countians especially the kids and that is the most important thing.

Welcome and excellent 1st post.

You guys have mentioned three (3) really good coaches in Hylton, Holcomb, and Saylor. Someone also mentioned Donahue the coach at Harlan High. He has had 3 or 4 good seasons, but his overall record is 83-71 in 14 or 15 years which is just above 500. I would not consider Donahue being a "big" name coach at this time. This is not any disrespect towards Donahue and Harlan, but I do not think posting a overall record like this puts him on that big name level.