Just got word that another program will be looking for a HFC after I sent this to encourage coaches on the listserve:

 

Coaches-

 

When I heard Nick Saban say that one of the reasons he left the Dolphins was because he didn't feel like he could control his success/destiny (did not land Drew Brees as his QB), it really got my attention. 

 

We don't always have control of our circumstances. We ALWAYS have control of our RESPONSE. 

 

46 KY HS Football programs will have new head coaches this fall. Most places, you have to be a TOUGH son of a gun to coach football in this state. 

 

Hope this can encourage someone.... Yes, I made a plan for getting fired. One of the best things I ever did. 

 

https://blackshoesandwhiteshoestrings.blogspot.com/2017/02/my-plan-for-getting-fired.html

I honestly believe that social media has been a real problem for coaches. So many critics can air their grievances without ever addressing the situation in person. So many good people are just saying enough is enough. 47 changes in a state where about 200 schools compete in football is just shy of 25 percent. Some of the jobs are very difficult situations and so many fans have no concept that it's not just the coach. The most important variable are the players and their abilities. I so appreciate all those folks who spend so much time and energy to give young men a chance to compete knowing there is no pathway to a state championship or even a playoff run. Keep on keeping on gentlemen!!

I would argue that for the most part, since about 1990, turn over is pretty much a steady part of the profession. The advent of the internet and the attention that sites like this bring to the occurrence make it seem like a lot.

Take the BG area for example. Desirable place to work and coach. Some of the better pay for teachers in both the county and city systems, good coaching stipends for the most part, and WKU with a wealth of young coaches and a teachers' college in the backyard. From 1990 to 2010, in the four High Schools (pre South Warren), the area saw 16 different HC's in a 20 year period. Take each HS and its 20 year span and you get 80/16 for an average coaching span of 5 years.   

1990 to 2010

BGHS - Dan Haley, Kevin Wallace

Greenwood - Virgil Livers, Greg Ulasiewicz, Mark Nelson, Greg Cavanah

Warren East - Kevin Wallace, Randy Reese, Mark Spader, Mac Smith, Mark Gary, Ben Bruni

Warren Central - Joe Hood, Rick Wood, Bill Cox, Mike Rogers

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but wanted to share that take on the issue. 

3 hours ago, VF111 said:

I would argue that for the most part, since about 1990, turn over is pretty much a steady part of the profession. The advent of the internet and the attention that sites like this bring to the occurrence make it seem like a lot.

Take the BG area for example. Desirable place to work and coach. Some of the better pay for teachers in both the county and city systems, good coaching stipends for the most part, and WKU with a wealth of young coaches and a teachers' college in the backyard. From 1990 to 2010, in the four High Schools (pre South Warren), the area saw 16 different HC's in a 20 year period. Take each HS and its 20 year span and you get 80/16 for an average coaching span of 5 years.   

1990 to 2010

BGHS - Dan Haley, Kevin Wallace

Greenwood - Virgil Livers, Greg Ulasiewicz, Mark Nelson, Greg Cavanah

Warren East - Kevin Wallace, Randy Reese, Mark Spader, Mac Smith, Mark Gary, Ben Bruni

Warren Central - Joe Hood, Rick Wood, Bill Cox, Mike Rogers

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but wanted to share that take on the issue. 

Spot on.

Not to be a downer, but it’s not going to get any better, either. 
 

And I’ve never hoped I’m more wrong about anything in my life. 
 

I got to working on it once before, but longevity (which, in this day and age I’d argue 5 or more years somewhere) is getting so rare. 
 

So many places , and more times than not, are the same - I don’t know, let’s say 2/3’s of the schools across the state (or somewhere between 50% and 67%) are lucky if the coaching tenure(s) at their school(s) fully surpass the 4 year mark on average for tenure this century and more than an uncomfortable amount are even less than that.

Social media and everybody feeling like their opinion matters and/or it gaining traction with power(s) to be in district(s), extremely unrealistic expectations across many facets, better financial opportunities (be it steps up the ladder into administrative positions and/or the chance to “double dip” by going to a private school and/or across the borders of KY into other states), the “zen”/peace that many find once they get out of it with years left on the clock to not have to deal with the crazy that comes with the job, etc.

(That list could go on and on)

But, all are factors as to why I think we are seeing even more of a turnover this century alone, and one that, while I hope it changes, one that I don’t see slowing down anytime soon- if anything, getting worse.

Let’s just look at two jobs that are open right now, and places that, IMO (as well as many others I’m sure) would consider to be “good jobs”, maybe even could be argued that they are “great” jobs- I wouldn’t dispute that on either, but let’s just call them “good” for the sake of argument  (school district as a whole, the towns, pay, resources, leadership, etc) in Central Hardin and McCracken County.

Central Hardin has been around since 1990 and is about to have their 7th head coach in that time (and, the 6th this millennia). 2024 will be their 35th year, and that’s less than 6 full years on average per coach up until this point.  Hardin County/Elizabethtown is Bowling Green/Warren County without WKU, and even without a major university is still every bit as great of a town to live in and growing by the day with no end in sight. 
 

McCracken County is going on their 5th since 2013. There has been four in the previous eleven seasons, and this will be their 5th in twelve. To put THAT in perspective, can anybody tell me a school/program in that nice of a town, with that good of a school district from academics to every sport played, that pays as well as they do, with that nice of facilities, with that number of players year in year out, with what seemingly has always a very sports minded administration from the top down that just so happens to be the only high school in their school district? If so, I’ll wait.

Things have been crazy-busy for me on the home front, but I just updated the list of openings. Looks like we're up to 50 jobs that have opened up, currently, with 6 remaining to be filled. Crazy.

Any word on which program is going to be looking for a new head coach @ChiefSmoke?

@Colonels_Wear_Blue- 
 

You got it on your list. Busy or not, you are still on top of your game! ??

3 minutes ago, ChiefSmoke said:

@Colonels_Wear_Blue- 
 

You got it on your list. Busy or not, you are still on top of your game! ??

Gotcha.

I appreciate the kind words...but believe me, there's a lottttt of catch-up going on around here, lol.

On 4/7/2024 at 1:13 AM, Calico Jack said:

Let’s just look at two jobs that are open right now, and places that, IMO (as well as many others I’m sure) would consider to be “good jobs”, maybe even could be argued that they are “great” jobs- I wouldn’t dispute that on either, but let’s just call them “good” for the sake of argument  (school district as a whole, the towns, pay, resources, leadership, etc) in Central Hardin and McCracken County.

Central Hardin has been around since 1990 and is about to have their 7th head coach in that time (and, the 6th this millennia). 2024 will be their 35th year, and that’s less than 6 full years on average per coach up until this point.  Hardin County/Elizabethtown is Bowling Green/Warren County without WKU, and even without a major university is still every bit as great of a town to live in and growing by the day with no end in sight. 
 

McCracken County is going on their 5th since 2013. There has been four in the previous eleven seasons, and this will be their 5th in twelve. To put THAT in perspective, can anybody tell me a school/program in that nice of a town, with that good of a school district from academics to every sport played, that pays as well as they do, with that nice of facilities, with that number of players year in year out, with what seemingly has always a very sports minded administration from the top down that just so happens to be the only high school in their school district? If so, I’ll wait.

I think this is well said Calico.  Just speaking about McCracken, they are kinda that silent partner of the football Bermuda Triangle down in the Purchase Area near Paducah.  When you think of the other 2 programs being Mayfield and Paducah Tilghman, you are talking about 2 of the most storied programs in the entire country win wise alone and everyone knows it down there for sure.  That dictates alot including where the better players want to play.  If you don't have the Jimmy and Joe's, then you will play second fiddle to those teams no matter how good your coach is or isn't.  And IF you could be fortunate enough to go deep in the playoffs, you are gifted a trip to X, T or Male.  Tough road.

When was the last time a player on McCraken would have been good enough to start for Mayfield?  Zyaire Hughes maybe; and that was some time ago.

We discussed why there are 50 KY HS's that will have new coaches in 2024 on our last podcast!