10 minutes ago, Calico Jack said:

Because being an assistant, especially an ACTUAL coordinator at those type programs > being a head coach just anywhere.

Cliff Dew- Mayfield (as was Joe Morris before him)

Mark Spader- Bowling Green (as was Kevin Wallace before him, all be it only for a couple years, after resigning as the HC of Warren East after a 10 year stint)

Justin Grundy- Bardstown (as was David Clark before him)

Chad Tackett- Ashland (as was Tony Love before him. Tackett actually had an impressive run at Fairview in the mid 2000's for three years, resigned, went back to Ashland for 15 as an assistant under TWO different HC's)

Matt Varney- Belfry (goes without saying, but obviously not the way he nor any of us across the state wanted to see him take over the reigns with the tragic passing of Coach Haywood)

Jayson Fallin - Owensboro (although resigned after the '24 season)

Dustin Lopez- Hopkinsville (who I also hope gets the keys to the new Christian County HS with what he's done at Hoptown with all the uncertainty of if/when the new consolidated high school was going to happen)

..are just a few that come to mind in recent years who were assistants/coordinators for in and around that amount of time (some longer) at the same programs they are now leading.

There are others further back in time, too. Some are still in that role, some are not. You get the point(s). 

Michael Salmons-Raceland, Brian Weinrich- Highlands, Dale Estes- Campbellsville, Nigel Smith- LexCath are some others that come to mind.

Then you have guys that were head coaches, who, on the surface to those that "don't know what they don't know" might have looked like failed attempts at being able to 'run their own show'- that resigned, only to go be an assistant within said great program & later earned/given the keys to it OR land legit good job (outside of where they went back to be an assistant).

Jason Morris- McLean Co HFC--> O'Cath Asst--> O'Cath HFC.

Jackson Arnett- Barren Co HFC --> Boyle Asst --> Glasgow HFC

That's not to say taking a HC job just to take one can't springboard into getting a GREAT one, because it does...but TIMING, both doing well in the previous year(s) at Job A & then Job B simultaneously coming open the following months, has to often times hit just right ALONG with the slim chances that nobody in house wants it (usually the case)

Jay Volker - Beechwood HFC (can't remember the school in Ohio he was previously, but won 'only' four games in 2-3 years. Obviously those hiring knew 1- What they saw during the interview process 2- his pedigree & 3- the dead end job he was trying to do it at)

Hunter Cantwell- Carroll County HFC --> CAL HFC (AND for the powers to be hiring to see through any of the opinions.. "Well, he just went 4-7, 4-7, 6-6 at Carroll Co." To which I'm sure they either 1- Didn't care about those opinions and/or 2- said, "If he can win a playoff game their, just think what he could do here."

Justin Haddix- Perry County Central HFC --> Corbin HFC (now Boyle & the rest is history). Like Cantwell, finished 6-6 at PCC his last year before Corbin came open...along with a 9 win, but also a 4 win in between. Were there some within Corbin that probably snubbed their nose at first to "We're hiring Perry County Central's coach?" Guarantee it. But they KNEW ("If can do that there, think what he could do here" + who he had played for/coached under for years altogether in Mike Holcomb)

Great post! 

On 10/30/2025 at 11:11 AM, AssistantFBCoach said:

Being an OC for that long and not either moving or trying your hand at being an HC somewhere is impressive in itself, not even to mention the success they've had. 

I’m pretty sure Greg has been with the Beechwood staff since 1999/2000 and he became the OC immediately upon joining. Then HC Mike Yeagle was going through some off-field issues and handed over the offense once Greg finished playing at Cincinnati. 
 

Another guy on the staff that’s been there nearly the same amount of time is former Beechwood great Brandon Berger. Early on, he would join the staff when his professional baseball season would end.

Some men just aren’t as good HC’s as they are Coordinator’s or position coaches. I don’t think that’s a fault though, add into the fact a lot of people don’t want the responsibilities that come along with being a HC and if they believe they do, they probably don’t have a good understanding of what it actually takes to do it and also be successful. I feel like the coaching fraternity here in our State is pretty good, earning roles rather than being born on 3rd base. At the end of the day we all just want to see our boys turn to men while teaching them the tools of life through this great game. Teaching discipline, respect, and most importantly teamwork. Learn how to be apart of a community and gain enjoyment from seeing those around you become the best they can be as well. Football truly is the greatest sport on earth; happy Sunday fellas. No matter your role just know I appreciate every one who carves out some of their time to give to their community.

My nomination is Justin Chaffin the DC at Greenwood, sure they’re 6-4 but they’ve been in every game this season outside of a road trip to East Robertson (TN) who has a very good football team as well. Went toe to toe with the 6A #1 seed Spartans,  just gassed out as the game went on. Logan County and BG needed every second on the clock to sneak away with a win. A job very well done, and deserves some recognition.

On 10/30/2025 at 11:09 AM, Oldercoach said:

Greg Hergott, Beechwood Tigers’ OC for 15+(?) years cannot be given enough accolades for the machine he and the staff have built and maintained.  The critical role he so successfully has played is greatly recognized and appreciated.

 

On 10/30/2025 at 11:11 AM, AssistantFBCoach said:

Being an OC for that long and not either moving or trying your hand at being an HC somewhere is impressive in itself, not even to mention the success they've had. 

 

On 10/30/2025 at 11:20 AM, ATLCat said:

I literally thought about posting, "Not sure who is who on the Beechwood staff but my prediction is they have someone deserving".

I think Hergott may be THE name to best fit this question.

 

1 hour ago, gbballfan21 said:

I’m pretty sure Greg has been with the Beechwood staff since 1999/2000 and he became the OC immediately upon joining. Then HC Mike Yeagle was going through some off-field issues and handed over the offense once Greg finished playing at Cincinnati. 
 

Another guy on the staff that’s been there nearly the same amount of time is former Beechwood great Brandon Berger. Early on, he would join the staff when his professional baseball season would end.

Here is the most impressive thing for me about Hergott as Offensive Coordinator, beyond the obvious track record of success. Look at his offenses over the years and they are not the same. He has produced with offenses focused on the run and running out of different styles, and offenses that were passing focused. I have even seen Beechwood run offense out of the double wing. I have seen a lot of spread, empty backfield. Hergott has featured an offense centered on a running QB. I have seen Beechwood have great success with a QB with a pure pocket passer who you absolutely do not want to even attempt to run. Hergott will style the offense to the talent and he will have great success with where the talent works best. That flexibility and getting his teams to run what best fits them with a very high level of success is what is super impressive.

Edited November 2, 2025Nov 2 by Voice of Reason

Here is another coordinator who has earned and deserves more credit and recognition - Covington Catholic Defensive Coordinator Terry Brown. I will let others who are more knowledgeable expound on Coach Brown @Colonels_Wear_Blue but he has been a huge part of Cov Cath's success. People are more focused on offense but my view of Cov Cath is their defense led by DC Terry Brown is the core of their success. 

On 11/2/2025 at 9:06 AM, Voice of Reason said:

Hergott will style the offense to the talent and he will have great success with where the talent works best. That flexibility and getting his teams to run what best fits them with a very high level of success is what is super impressive.

This right here is it for me. Some try to force a square into a circle. Some big time college and NFL OC's can't seem to figure out how to feather an offense to their talent and try to force the talent to fit their scheme. To do it for 15+ years at an extremely high clip of winning games and championships, phew! This guy has put a ton of work in at 54 Beechwood Rd. He is Ft. Mitchell through and through. And that's not even including what he did as a player there. 

Chuck Smith does a nice job working for and learning under Brandon Smith at South Warren.

I'm not sure if Chuck has any head coaching aspirations, but as an assistant, he does a really nice job...

The DC from Cov Cath will earn his money/reputation this week if he can slow down the Eagles from Johnson Central. This may be the best matchup of the round statewide.

2 hours ago, CLMR said:

The DC from Cov Cath will earn his money/reputation this week if he can slow down the Eagles from Johnson Central. This may be the best matchup of the round statewide.

Coach Terry Brown is excellent. Run defenses are typically stout. Only team that matched their season's scoring average vs. Cov Cath this year was Elder (OH).

On 10/30/2025 at 10:04 AM, AssistantFBCoach said:

Yeah, I mean any coach you think deserves the love and recognition that we don't see. HC's get most of the love and all of the hate in the public. But our AC's need that spotlight sometimes. 

Standout qualities for me range, like you said there are about 3 types, and we need them all. 

There has been some talk regarding guys like Glasgow's DC and their stalwart defense this season.

I am wanting examples of all types, just to share the spotlight in an season coming to conclusion. Really just to hype up some guys who typically remain unknown and are never given their flowers. 

Coach Herron at Glasgow has done an excellent job for the Scotties this season. According to the stats, they're top 5 in every defensive category for 3A and have the #2 defense in the entire state. Big reason why the Scotties are rolling this year.

 

I've seen in a couple of threads that he could be a hot name for some lower-class schools this coaching cycle.  A real up-and-comer in the coaching ranks who has coached with some really highly thought of coaches over the past couple of years. Glasgow would hate to lose him!

57 minutes ago, scottie2hotty said:

Coach Herron at Glasgow has done an excellent job for the Scotties this season. According to the stats, they're top 5 in every defensive category for 3A and have the #2 defense in the entire state. Big reason why the Scotties are rolling this year.

 

I've seen in a couple of threads that he could be a hot name for some lower-class schools this coaching cycle.  A real up-and-comer in the coaching ranks who has coached with some really highly thought of coaches over the past couple of years. Glasgow would hate to lose him!

Glasgow would hate to lose him. He's done a fine job and we hope he sticks around for a few years at least. Pedigree is very good for him, winning regions as a player, coaching up at LCA and Southwestern. Multiple levels and a lot of knowledge gained from each stop. Wonderkind so to speak and will be a big name soon if not already. Admins should start adding him to coaching search committees. 

I think Glasgow has been blessed with multiple head coach quality coaches on their staff if they ever leave a good thing that is going. Many other coaches have been mentioned on their staff this year. 

On 10/30/2025 at 10:45 AM, ATLCat said:

Not sure if Tony Burchett is still coaching at Johnson Central but he was always a legendary assistant.

Oakley Watkins was the shining example of this distinction but he took over as LCA's Head Coach so he doesn't count anymore. 

A name way off the radar most don't know is Joe Stanley the O.C. at Martin County. Tremendous football mind and what he has done with the talent to work with is very impressive.

 

Coach Blair at JC has taken up what Burchett did and hasn't missed a beat with the OL.