I think this would be an interesting topic to highlight some of best coaches in the state of KY. I’ve seen this done in other states, so who would you say are the 40 best coaches in the state at the age 40 and under? Can be HC,Coordinators and assistant coaches on the rise! 

I don't have 40, and I'm not in the know on top  coordinators, but here's my top ten head coaches under 40. This is mostly based on career accomplishments so far.

 

1. Justin Haddix (Perry County Central, Corbin, Boyle County) - Cut his teeth at Perry Central before teaching an old dog new tricks. He's won three consecutive state championships in 'Title Town' with no end in sight.

2. Brandon Smith (South Warren) - The apple didn't fall far from the tree. He's transformed the Spartans into a state power with three state titles in the last eight years. 

3. Keegan Kendrick (Bullitt East) - Won the big school championship in his first year on the job. Bested Male twice. Enough said.

4. Hunter Cantwell (Carroll County, CAL) - Continuing the excellence of his predecessor. Reigning 3A champs and poised to add more to the trophy case.

5. Jay Fallin (Owensboro) - He's done everything but win the big one. The Red Devils have been a force in 5A under Fallin, with four straight semifinal appearances, a state runner-up, and nearly 12 wins a season since 2019.

6. Eddie James (Franklin County) - James has basically done for the Flyers what Fallin has for Owensboro. The only thing left to do is bring home a ship to Frankfort. 

7. Jason Foley (Taylor County, Southwestern) - Delivered Taylor County's first semifinal appearance in twenty years before moving to the "Reservation" and improving on the standard set by Larry French. Southwestern is 34-5 over the last three years and made the semifinals last season. 

8. Todd Adler (Logan County) - Engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in state football history. A 42 game losing streak from 2012-2016 gave way to 11 wins in Adler's second season. The Cougars have been winning ever since, going 55-16 overall since 2017. If we're talking pound for pound best coaching jobs, he'd be higher. Maybe much higher.

9. Sean Thompson (Crittenden County, Paducah Tilghman) - Was tabbed as the man to restore the shine to Tilghman football after a successful stint coaching the Rockets. Narrowly missed out on a title in year one. Year two was up and down, but they saved their best for last, nearly derailing the CAL freight train in the semis.

10. Joe Wynn (Newport, Mason County) - Turned the Wildcats around from 4-29 in the three years before he got there to 18-13 during his short stint. Two years in Maysville have yielded 22 wins and a semifinal appearance last season. 

Honorable Mentions: Colt Phelps (Green County), Daniel Barker (West Carter), and Tim Champlin (East Carter)

1 hour ago, DevilMayCare said:

I don't have 40, and I'm not in the know on top  coordinators, but here's my top ten head coaches under 40. This is mostly based on career accomplishments so far.

 

1. Justin Haddix (Perry County Central, Corbin, Boyle County) - Cut his teeth at Perry Central before teaching an old dog new tricks. He's won three consecutive state championships in 'Title Town' with no end in sight.

2. Brandon Smith (South Warren) - The apple didn't fall far from the tree. He's transformed the Spartans into a state power with three state titles in the last eight years. 

3. Keegan Kendrick (Bullitt East) - Won the big school championship in his first year on the job. Bested Male twice. Enough said.

4. Hunter Cantwell (Carroll County, CAL) - Continuing the excellence of his predecessor. Reigning 3A champs and poised to add more to the trophy case.

5. Jay Fallin (Owensboro) - He's done everything but win the big one. The Red Devils have been a force in 5A under Fallin, with four straight semifinal appearances, a state runner-up, and nearly 12 wins a season since 2019.

6. Eddie James (Franklin County) - James has basically done for the Flyers what Fallin has for Owensboro. The only thing left to do is bring home a ship to Frankfort. 

7. Jason Foley (Taylor County, Southwestern) - Delivered Taylor County's first semifinal appearance in twenty years before moving to the "Reservation" and improving on the standard set by Larry French. Southwestern is 34-5 over the last three years and made the semifinals last season. 

8. Todd Adler (Logan County) - Engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in state football history. A 42 game losing streak from 2012-2016 gave way to 11 wins in Adler's second season. The Cougars have been winning ever since, going 55-16 overall since 2017. If we're talking pound for pound best coaching jobs, he'd be higher. Maybe much higher.

9. Sean Thompson (Crittenden County, Paducah Tilghman) - Was tabbed as the man to restore the shine to Tilghman football after a successful stint coaching the Rockets. Narrowly missed out on a title in year one. Year two was up and down, but they saved their best for last, nearly derailing the CAL freight train in the semis.

10. Joe Wynn (Newport, Mason County) - Turned the Wildcats around from 4-29 in the three years before he got there to 18-13 during his short stint. Two years in Maysville have yielded 22 wins and a semifinal appearance last season. 

Honorable Mentions: Colt Phelps (Green County), Daniel Barker (West Carter), and Tim Champlin (East Carter)

Very good information I don’t know about everyone else but I appreciate this information.

Definitely a great list! Adler has definitely done one of best jobs in the state being the state of the program before he got there.

I see a lot Boyle County ties in this list.  

1 hour ago, Rebel said:

I see a lot Boyle County ties in this list.  

Haddix, Smith, Kendrick, and James. Am I missing anyone?

The culture there either draws greatness in or produces greatness that excels somewhere else. Boyle County is the football capital of Kentucky right now.

10 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Haddix, Smith, Kendrick, and James. Am I missing anyone?

The culture there either draws greatness in or produces greatness that excels somewhere else. Boyle County is the football capital of Kentucky right now.

That's the same 4 I was thinking of.     I also believe that Boyle's Burns will be added to this list.  

5 hours ago, Rebel said:

That's the same 4 I was thinking of.     I also believe that Boyle's Burns will be added to this list.  

I think he is on the list.  Devil mentioned only Head Coaches but FootballMania in the original post said coordinators also.  Boyle is fortunate to still have Travis Burns.  If he has head coaching aspirations, which I believe he does, he will be moving on before long I believe.  Not saying he isn't happy where he is, but I believe he will be the target of more and more openings in the future.