Graves County has never hired an alumnus for Head Coach. I’m not sure who the good ole boys are that anyone is referring too.

The last 10 years has been the most consistent years in program history.

Graves consistently has a top 10 program in 5A. I’d argue more like top 8. The issue is they have a tough time getting out of the first few rounds because they are always matched up against Owensboro, Bowling Green, or South Warren. They consistently beat everyone else besides those 3 and Mayfield. They usually split with Paducah. They even split games with Bullit East a few years ago.

I've got my hopes on who I want to get it, but I will keep that to myself for now. The Cruce situation was a disaster. The issue for Graves is and always will be losing kids to Mayfield. I counted 6 kids starting on Mayfield who were once Graves kids the other night. (Those are just the kids I know) 

I do think integrating the elementary schools into one team has helped that. Kids are becoming eagles earlier and it’s harder to move on your friends when those relationships start younger.  Not to mention, even though they are still losing kids, they are still competing and beating just about everyone except the cream of the crop in Kentucky. 

23 minutes ago, gcbleedblue said:

Graves County has never hired an alumnus for Head Coach. I’m not sure who the good ole boys are that anyone is referring too.

The issue for Graves is and always will be losing kids to Mayfield.

Kids like playing for Mayfield. I’ve been to plenty of Graves games. The fans aren’t into it unless they are playing Mayfield and you might win a ring at Mayfield.The fans are much more knowledgeable about football than Graves or they just care more. Plenty of kids start at Graves but they know at some point their going to Mayfield to play football. Graves is more of a basketball school. I know and like Lance Gregory. He’s a good guy and a good coach. 
 

25 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Kids like playing for Mayfield. I’ve been to plenty of Graves games. The fans aren’t into it unless they are playing Mayfield and you might win a ring at Mayfield.The fans are much more knowledgeable about football than Graves or they just care more. Plenty of kids start at Graves but they know at some point their going to Mayfield to play football. Graves is more of a basketball school. I know and like Lance Gregory. He’s a good guy and a good coach. 
 

Graves can’t win it. Can’t win the whole thing, blah blah blah.

Heard it since the school consolidated. That was proven wrong in 2014. Can’t use that narrative anymore. 

 

25 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Kids like playing for Mayfield. I’ve been to plenty of Graves games. The fans aren’t into it unless they are playing Mayfield and you might win a ring at Mayfield.The fans are much more knowledgeable about football than Graves or they just care more. Plenty of kids start at Graves but they know at some point their going to Mayfield to play football. Graves is more of a basketball school. I know and like Lance Gregory. He’s a good guy and a good coach. 
 

Of course kids like playing for Mayfield.  True small school, community program that’s 115 years old with 12 state titles, I believe 12 state runner ups & over 900 wins.  If I were a current football player in that area, I’d choose Mayfield also.  No offense meant towards Graves Co., but that’s tough to compete with to get kids.

33 minutes ago, gcbleedblue said:

Graves can’t win it. Can’t win the whole thing, blah blah blah.

Heard it since the school consolidated. That was proven wrong in 2014. Can’t use that narrative anymore. 

 

Did they win it all?

15 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Did they win it all?

No, but definitely could have and changed the expectations of the program and proved it could be done. Also beat a Bowling Green team nobody else in Kentucky could while on the way. I’ll end this back and forth as it’s not what the topic is about, but the sell “won’t ever get a ring at Graves” died in 2014. I know you guys need that perspective over there. 

42 minutes ago, gcbleedblue said:

No, but definitely could have and changed the expectations of the program and proved it could be done. Also beat a Bowling Green team nobody else in Kentucky could while on the way. I’ll end this back and forth as it’s not what the topic is about, but the sell “won’t ever get a ring at Graves” died in 2014. I know you guys need that perspective over there. 

Fools Gold.    20 years from now you’ll being saying the same thing. You brought up the Mayfield thing. 

If Coach Gregory doesn’t want the job full time, I’d reach out to two current HC’s in the area & 1 Assistant Coach. 
 

Marc Clark

Has proven he is a solid HC who runs a QB friendly offense. Has experience in the area and one of the few coaches who has beaten Mayfield in the area. 
 

Gaige Courtney

If they have a solid offensive staff in place then they can pivot to a younger defensive guy like Courtney. I don’t think he would leave Crittenden but I’d make a call to see. 
 

Will Barnes

Former Caldwell HC is a proven commodity and would be a solid hire who also runs a QB friendly system. 
 

Graves is a solid job. Interested to see what direction they take. 

 

5 minutes ago, WKY_Football said:

If Coach Gregory doesn’t want the job full time, I’d reach out to two current HC’s in the area & 1 Assistant Coach. 
 

Marc Clark

Has proven he is a solid HC who runs a QB friendly offense. Has experience in the area and one of the few coaches who has beaten Mayfield in the area. 
 

Gaige Courtney

If they have a solid offensive staff in place then they can pivot to a younger defensive guy like Courtney. I don’t think he would leave Crittenden but I’d make a call to see. 
 

Will Barnes

Former Caldwell HC is a proven commodity and would be a solid hire who also runs a QB friendly system. 
 

Graves is a solid job. Interested to see what direction they take. 

 

Is Barnes not at one of the Owensboro teams, does not someone in his family work in Owensboro area , which was the reason he stepped down at Caldwell?

35 minutes ago, Tracy House said:

Is Barnes not at one of the Owensboro teams, does not someone in his family work in Owensboro area , which was the reason he stepped down at Caldwell?

Barnes is at Owensboro high as the OC yes. I don’t see him coming back this way 

7 hours ago, Mr. Neutral said:

I would look for someone on the college level to come in. No more “good ol boy” hires. 

College Guys around here
-Robinson (Troy)
-Berry (MSU)
-Burkeen (MSU & APSU)
-Lopez @ Hopkinsville (Memphis)
-Cunningham (Marshall)
-Dickerson @ Murray (Lindsey Wilson Maybe)
-Price @ Madisonville (WKU)

Don't think it "has" to be a college guy, but it doesn't hurt. Graves has the numbers to do some similar things, but not to the two-platoon level or anything.

3 hours ago, WKY_Football said:

If Coach Gregory doesn’t want the job full time, I’d reach out to two current HC’s in the area & 1 Assistant Coach. 
 

Marc Clark

Has proven he is a solid HC who runs a QB friendly offense. Has experience in the area and one of the few coaches who has beaten Mayfield in the area. 
 

Gaige Courtney

If they have a solid offensive staff in place then they can pivot to a younger defensive guy like Courtney. I don’t think he would leave Crittenden but I’d make a call to see. 
 

Will Barnes

Former Caldwell HC is a proven commodity and would be a solid hire who also runs a QB friendly system. 
 

Graves is a solid job. Interested to see what direction they take. 

 

If I had my pick from this list; I would take Courtney in a heartbeat over the other two.

4 hours ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Did they win it all?

Nope, but prime example is that Graves QB in that game lived 5 minutes from Mayfield and transferred to Graves.  Kids make the most difference on the field; not the coaches. I love Joe Morris, but if he was the head coach at Marshall, Calloway, Murray, etc; he has no rings.  Mayfield still has some; maybe not as many because Joe is a hall of fame coach and great at adjusting to things, but Mayfield players still would have their dawg mentality.  

Again, if I was a kid; I would love to be a Cardinal.  It's not just Graves kids, it is everyone around here.  There is a Murray kid (Biggers), a Calloway kid (Whiteside), no telling the Graves kids at Mayfield... Kids want to win.  It's easier to go where winning is expected then to go build something.  Nothing wrong with that; that's the new way.  If I was a Mayfield coach, ain't no way I'm turning down kids.  You think PT had to question if they wanted the pair of TN Kids? More the merrier!

IMO, Hatchell would be a home run hire. As a Mayfield fan, I'd hate to lose him, but, the guy can flat out draw up a great game plan and makes great in game adjustments, plus his ties to Graves Co makes him an immediate fan favorite. The only drawback is his lack of experience as a head coach, but, he's been at the winningest program in West Ky for a long time and I'm sure he's seen what running a successful program  is all about. 

34 minutes ago, jeff jackson said:

IMO, Hatchell would be a home run hire. As a Mayfield fan, I'd hate to lose him, but, the guy can flat out draw up a great game plan and makes great in game adjustments, plus his ties to Graves Co makes him an immediate fan favorite. The only drawback is his lack of experience as a head coach, but, he's been at the winningest program in West Ky for a long time and I'm sure he's seen what running a successful program  is all about. 

100% Best case scenario for Graves.  Only thing is that I don't agree with the experience part.  I know that is what everyone hangs their hat on; but as long as hes been the OC at Mayfield, the dude has the experience.  I hate when young guns get passed up all the time because of that.  If Dan Lanning can be a DC for TWO years, then become the head coach of a Top 10 FBS program and run it well; I think a experienced high school coach can handle a 5A Kentucky High School.