We will answer this for our Tough Topic in episode #1 that will come out, Thursday, 1/22 at 7:30 pm.

We enjoy getting content from BGPreps! So.... tell us what you think.... Why are there so many head football coach positions open in KY right now?

Let me go prepare this Thesis Statement.

(edited, I was thinking it was tonight on my original post- saw Thursday and didn’t notice the date)

I think part of the reason is not enough pay for the amount of hours that have to put into coaching. 

I’d like to think, while there has always been long term coaches (Mr Schneider) that people loved/tolerated. The players of those coaches are part of the microwave society that wants results in the first season.

The plan is to knock out 4 episodes this week. Josie Ruth says our BEST content comes from the BGPreps crowd. 

Appreciate the help. You guys make the podcast MUCH better! 

2 hours ago, ChiefSmoke said:

The plan is to knock out 4 episodes this week. Josie Ruth says our BEST content comes from the BGPreps crowd. 

Appreciate the help. You guys make the podcast MUCH better! 

That's a cutie right there! That smile looks like Chief after a 25 yard gain or a fumble recovery from the opponent!

1 hour ago, 9068 said:

That's a cutie right there! That smile looks like Chief after a 25 yard gain or a fumble recovery from the opponent!

Same haircut also! ??

On 1/15/2026 at 6:47 PM, Tigerpride94 said:

I think part of the reason is not enough pay for the amount of hours that have to put into coaching. 

I second this. Between hours involved, pay, and the cost of everything increasing as it’s been between monetary expense and the expense of time, it’s not as attractive as it used to be.

Administration support - both of the coach and for sports. Sports are a huge part of school culture.

Administration support of coaches over whining parents. Forget helicopter parents - today we have drone parents that are invasive. 

On 1/15/2026 at 6:47 PM, Tigerpride94 said:

I think part of the reason is not enough pay for the amount of hours that have to put into coaching. 

Don't get me wrong because pay is important. However, I don't know any coaches that got into coaching for the money. And there are plenty of coaches out there that are basically coaching for free because they love the game and love helping kids. I think it's more about how things have evolved. It takes more time and effort nowadays, even when compared to a decade or so ago. While it's always been a year round committment, it's especially true now. Spring ball, June practice, off season weights/conditioning and the season in KY starting in July really doesn't leave a lot of downtime. And teachers are already busier than ever, so coaching is getting less and less appealing. And it's getting harder and harder to find assistant coaches, of which you need a bunch now. I was talking with my old high school coach, and while I played there were a total of 4 varsity coaches....HC/OC, DC, and two other assistants. I can't imagine trying to get everything done with just 3 guys to help out. In short the grind is getting tougher and tougher and requiring more and more effort and time. Just paying more isn't going to fix or change that.

10 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Administration support - both of the coach and for sports. Sports are a huge part of school culture.

Administration support of coaches over whining parents. Forget helicopter parents - today we have drone parents that are invasive. 

Dang. Drone parents. Whole other level. Lol.  So far, I've been fortunate over the 33 years. Most of the parents have been super. It has been nice to get to brag on the parents at the banquet every year. 

But, I hear some bad stuff. And, my assistants this fall had some crazy stories about stuff going on with our opponent's head coach and their fans/parents. Not good at all. 

8 minutes ago, rjs4470 said:

Don't get me wrong because pay is important. However, I don't know any coaches that got into coaching for the money. And there are plenty of coaches out there that are basically coaching for free because they love the game and love helping kids. I think it's more about how things have evolved. It takes more time and effort nowadays, even when compared to a decade or so ago. While it's always been a year round committment, it's especially true now. Spring ball, June practice, off season weights/conditioning and the season in KY starting in July really doesn't leave a lot of downtime. And teachers are already busier than ever, so coaching is getting less and less appealing. And it's getting harder and harder to find assistant coaches, of which you need a bunch now. I was talking with my old high school coach, and while I played there were a total of 4 varsity coaches....HC/OC, DC, and two other assistants. I can't imagine trying to get everything done with just 3 guys to help out. In short the grind is getting tougher and tougher and requiring more and more effort and time. Just paying more isn't going to fix or change that.

The demands on core content teachers is much different than when I got into teaching in 1988. It would be really tough to teach a full load of core content and be the head coach right now. I would do it if I had to, but I think I would hit the wall much quicker and run out of gas. 

17 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Administration support - both of the coach and for sports. Sports are a huge part of school culture.

Administration support of coaches over whining parents. Forget helicopter parents - today we have drone parents that are invasive. 

This is definitely another big part of it in my opinion on all points you brought up.

Exactly. Pay is part of it, but the bigger issues are the lack of administrative support, dealing with parents, and the unrealistic expectation of instant success. Winning at the high school level takes time, and many schools just do not provide the backing coaches need to build a sustainable program.

 

On top of that, the culture of players has shifted. Too often, today’s athletes ask what the program can do for them, instead of asking what they can do for the team or how they can get better. Building a true culture of accountability and improvement requires buy-in from players, yes, but also support from the community and administration. Without that foundation, even the best coaches are set up to fight an uphill battle.

1 hour ago, IfsAndButsKY said:

Exactly. Pay is part of it, but the bigger issues are the lack of administrative support, dealing with parents, and the unrealistic expectation of instant success. Winning at the high school level takes time, and many schools just do not provide the backing coaches need to build a sustainable program.

 

On top of that, the culture of players has shifted. Too often, today’s athletes ask what the program can do for them, instead of asking what they can do for the team or how they can get better. Building a true culture of accountability and improvement requires buy-in from players, yes, but also support from the community and administration. Without that foundation, even the best coaches are set up to fight an uphill battle.

Wise man once said:

"The hardest and most important wins you'll ever have are at the dinner table of your own players."

Hard then. True then.

Even harder and truer now, moreso than ever.

The amount of people closest to them in their ears, that DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW (but, sure think they do) is staggering. For that matter, it doesn't even have to be the ones that are closest- they can just read/hear an endless amount of opinions, on endless amounts of platforms.