4 hours ago, Tru2theblue said:

There are only 10-15 “really good jobs” in the state. The rest are what you make of them. What I qualify a “good job is” 

1) good administration 

2) history of winning

3) solid competitive pay

4) organization of youth and middle school programs.

5) access to solid players, and a history of players

6) good facilities, weight room, or indoor facility, also the ability to use them and have priority in use of them. 
 

If you have 4 of the 6 you have a pretty good job.  Just my .02 .

I think this is a good baseline and what I was getting at with Mercer.

I did have someone contact me privately and tell me there is talent at Mercer and some really good talent.

With that said, my gut feeling is there are some obstacles at Mercer (like many schools) that make Mercer something less than a really good job.

4 hours ago, Tigerallamerican said:

Someone mentioned last night that Dennis Johnson from WC is in the mix. I checked with a few folks around WC but that's the first they had heard of it. Makes sense based on his Harrodsburg roots but that might be the only thing connecting him. 

All things considered, if Dennis Johnson is interested then I'd have to think he's at the top of Mercer's list.

I wonder how long this thread might be vs. the Garrard and Lincoln postings.  Seems like this one is generating more pages now that Lincoln closed earlier in the week!

Blind resume 

Coach A : 

Record 65-32  67% winning percentage 

Best Seasons

1 state runner up, 1 state championship 

Coach B:

Record 31-45  40% winning percent
 

Best season

1 state final four. 
 

You make the call. All things being equal.

 

12 minutes ago, Tru2theblue said:

Blind resume 

Coach A : 

Record 65-32  67% winning percentage 

Best Seasons

1 state runner up, 1 state championship 

Coach B:

Record 31-45  40% winning percent
 

Best season

1 state final four. 
 

You make the call. All things being equal.

 

B- works at next county over lol. 

3 hours ago, Tru2theblue said:

Blind resume 

Coach A : 

Record 65-32  67% winning percentage 

Best Seasons

1 state runner up, 1 state championship 

Coach B:

Record 31-45  40% winning percent
 

Best season

1 state final four. 
 

You make the call. All things being equal.

 

Trying to compare coaches like this doesn’t tell the full story. Meaning when the coach was hired what kind of shape was the program in. This is important piece. 

Just heard that Tommy Craig has applied for the job as well. He is the current O-line D-line coach. This would be a good fire from within. Heard he has a great relationship with the players. 

On 2/3/2022 at 6:35 PM, Hard Work said:

Trying to compare coaches like this doesn’t tell the full story. Meaning when the coach was hired what kind of shape was the program in. This is important piece. 

I agree hard to compare coaches on just numbers. A lot more would go into picking the best coach IMO.

On 2/3/2022 at 3:28 PM, Tru2theblue said:

Blind resume 

Coach A : 

Record 65-32  67% winning percentage 

Best Seasons

1 state runner up, 1 state championship 

Coach B:

Record 31-45  40% winning percent
 

Best season

1 state final four. 
 

You make the call. All things being equal.

 

Bill Belicheck was 36-44 (45%) with a 1-1 playoff record as a head coach prior to taking over the Patriots.  I think that worked out pretty well.  I agree with many on here that often times, things aren't equal and prior circumstances and situations dictate outcomes more so than coaching or playing ability.  It can take a lot to overcome prior circumstances, sometimes years, but it can be done.  What if Coach B started out his 1st 4 years with a 7-34 record, while rebuilding a perennial doormat and then goes 24-11 with a final four?  Unfortunately that doesn't seem to happen much anymore because patience seems to be a forgotten concept, but it could have went down that way.  However, to play the game, without knowing the backstory, anyone would choose Coach A, but I think most people are smart enough to look beyond that.  At least I hope they are.

I'm going to say this as nicely as I can.  Most everybody on this site seems to like David Buchanon.  That's good.  He seems fair, level headed and supports high school football as much as anyone I know.  He is a supporter of coaches unlike any other.  David has also won a lot of games throughout his career.  I'm sure he would have preferred to win a few more but every coach would.  He seems to be pretty well respected among coaches and fans alike. 

I say all of that to say this.  He doesn't get near enough credit for the job he's done at Mercer Co.  I don't mean wins and losses or player development.  I mean the job he's done changing attitudes and getting people on the same page.  I saw an earlier post in this thread stating that Mercer was a MUCH better job than Lincoln or Garrard.  I'm going to say that I disagree with that.  It wasn't that long ago that the Mercer job was NOT a good job, much less a very good job. 

There were some major money issues district wide.  I thought things had gotten better in that regard and I think they have to a degree, but after seeing the HC stipend, maybe they still have a ways to go.  Mercer County is a good place to live.  Decent industry and farming, and pretty safe place to live.  Close enough to Lex and Louisville.  The people are good people, it's a great community.  But before David Buchanon took over the program it was a very tough place to coach.  Every thing he has done as far as over seeing facility upgrades, player development, wins and losses all pale in comparison to the culture change that took place.  Getting everyone on board.  He hasn't and will not get enough credit for any of that.  This job is now looked at as a good job.  It wasn't that long ago that it absolutely was not. 

1 hour ago, Unrivaled97 said:

Bill Belicheck was 36-44 (45%) with a 1-1 playoff record as a head coach prior to taking over the Patriots.  I think that worked out pretty well.  I agree with many on here that often times, things aren't equal and prior circumstances and situations dictate outcomes more so than coaching or playing ability.  It can take a lot to overcome prior circumstances, sometimes years, but it can be done.  What if Coach B started out his 1st 4 years with a 7-34 record, while rebuilding a perennial doormat and then goes 24-11 with a final four?  Unfortunately that doesn't seem to happen much anymore because patience seems to be a forgotten concept, but it could have went down that way.  However, to play the game, without knowing the backstory, anyone would choose Coach A, but I think most people are smart enough to look beyond that.  At least I hope they are.

I am so glad to hear someone say this, The commitment levels for success from the Cleveland Browns and the commitment from the New England Patriots might indeed be a reason for his change in success. (just like school A or School B) Some coaches maximize all that can be done at one school.  Second thought it is possible that Belicheck improved his game as he matured, but sill became the GOAT.

Where are things with this job? Almost 2 weeks since the last post on this thread (Shockingly) I haven't heard a word here. 

It would be nice to hear something and hope that it is soon.   Is there any other names that haven't been listed that might want the Mercer job?  I know that someone said that they have a good list of applicates.  

Coach Buchanan should have a say on who the next head coach should be. 

I don't think there will be much put out to the public until there is a hire.  I would say William Harris and Tommy Craig who are both current assistants have applied. Most of the applicants are head coaches from other schools so they don't want it out there that they are applying.  Parents and players like William Harris/Tommy Craig and would have no problem if either got the job.  Mercer has a great staff in place right now and most parents/players hope that current staff stays at Mercer regardless of who is hired as head coach.  I think it shows that the Mercer program is in a good place right now as there is not the circus on here like some of the other recent job openings.  

6 hours ago, titan101 said:

I don't think there will be much put out to the public until there is a hire.  I would say William Harris and Tommy Craig who are both current assistants have applied. Most of the applicants are head coaches from other schools so they don't want it out there that they are applying.  Parents and players like William Harris/Tommy Craig and would have no problem if either got the job.  Mercer has a great staff in place right now and most parents/players hope that current staff stays at Mercer regardless of who is hired as head coach.  I think it shows that the Mercer program is in a good place right now as there is not the circus on here like some of the other recent job openings.  

You would be right on nothing being said until a hire.