12 minutes ago, BLUEHOUND said:

I guess everyone can be ruthless hiding behind a screen with a keyboard. By my count Highlands, Cov Cath, Bowling Green, Male, Fredrick Douglass, Elder, Moeller, Lex Cath all have lost prior to the end goal yet we have a thread about the Highlands coach. Its weak....

I'm not a bluebird. But.

CovCath, Bowling Green, Male and Freddie have all been to a state final (if not won…) since 2014. Highlands has not. And that’s the standard.

Elder and Moe are Ohio schools. Their absence of a thread is an unfair comparison.

I am a Bob fan. I think he’s a great ball coach, I think his fatherhood has clouded some of his coaching, and his son has some weaknesses that aren’t getting addressed in play calling.

I don’t think he should be fired. But things might change.

20 hours ago, cowboy90 said:

This is spot on.   I'm not saying there needs to be a change but a full evaluation of the program is needed.   The last 3 years and no state championship is absolutely criminal.   

You honestly believe that in 2024 Highlands had better talent than Cooper? Really? In 2023 they were better, but Cooper won when it counted.

9 hours ago, Breds82 said:

Wasn’t he the HC at Lexington Catholic for one year? If he was a good enough candidate for the mighty men of Moe you’d think he’d be good enough for his Alma mater.

I believe the biggest issue with hiring Bathiany was that he did not have a Kentucky teacher's certificate. It's a different situation at Moeller.

11 minutes ago, 9068 said:

I believe the biggest issue with hiring Bathiany was that he did not have a Kentucky teacher's certificate. It's a different situation at Moeller.

I believe the biggest issue with hiring Bathiany was the Highlands AD and his relationship with Sphire.  

On 11/23/2025 at 10:02 PM, En Fuego Hombre said:

I believe the biggest issue with hiring Bathiany was the Highlands AD and his relationship with Sphire.  

Wrong. After the Eddie James deal, the principal at the time handled the 2nd hiring in totality. Everyone thinks they know. They don't....

9 minutes ago, BLUEHOUND said:

Wrong. After the eddie james deal,  the principal at the time handled the 2nd hiring in totality. Everyone thinks they know. They don't....

If you say so, it must be true ?. I had no idea that the principal played for Sphire at Lex Cath and contacted him about the job.

9 hours ago, 9068 said:

I believe the biggest issue with hiring Bathiany was that he did not have a Kentucky teacher's certificate. It's a different situation at Moeller.

Boy Sphire doesn’t have one either.

10 hours ago, 9068 said:

You honestly believe that in 2024 Highlands had better talent than Cooper? Really? In 2023 they were better, but Cooper won when it counted.

There's something about your comment here that sticks with me.  You mention that in 2023, Highlands was better, but Cooper won when it counted. How often in Sphire's time at HHS could you say that about Highlands?  How many times has Highlands coached themselves to a victory that wasn't expected?  I'll start the bidding with the 2021 game against Bowling Green, the first of the Sphire era.  I'll hang up and listen.  

2 hours ago, Jack of all Trades said:

Boy Sphire doesn’t have one either.

This is false. According to KDE he has a Rank 3 license to teach Special Education.

34 minutes ago, Builder1214 said:

This is false. According to KDE he has a Rank 3 license to teach Special Education.

Does he teach right now?

So just to be clear State Championships are no longer the standard at Highlands?  

On 11/23/2025 at 7:56 AM, Oldercoach said:

Did the love fest with the passing game (13 for 28) return to bite the Birds on a foggy night, with a constant drizzle, a wet ball, and slippery turf?

You can't catch the ball for them. First drive they had a wide open TD where the player just dropped it. Third drive, they have a first down and the ball just bounces off the kids chest. Seemed like they were in a lull. 

6 minutes ago, Jack of all Trades said:

Does he teach right now?

He is paid as a certified special education teacher. The original post was about having a teaching certificate. He does have a teaching certificate. 

34 minutes ago, DearToday said:

You can't catch the ball for them. First drive they had a wide open TD where the player just dropped it. Third drive, they have a first down and the ball just bounces off the kids chest. Seemed like they were in a lull. 

Exactly what I was trying to point out.  Every negative element (except wind) was existing to say it was going to be a tough night to pass….rain, wet ball, saturated field, foggy night stressing impaired visuals not even to mention a pretty good Corbin passing defense.  Just a tough night for a pass first offense to be successful.

1 hour ago, Builder1214 said:

He is paid as a certified special education teacher. The original post was about having a teaching certificate. He does have a teaching certificate. 

You are correct, I misspoke.  He does not teach currently and has not taught past the first year at HHS.