I asked ChatGPT and here's what the official ruling seems to be:

The big distinction: “teacher job” vs. “coaching extra-duty job”

Kentucky law treats a certified position vacancy differently from a coaching extra-duty assignment.

If the district is hiring a certified teaching position — for example, “PE Teacher / Head Football Coach,” or any job where teacher certification is required — then the Kentucky vacancy-posting statute kicks in. KRS 160.380 defines a “vacancy” as a certified position opening caused by resignation, dismissal, nonrenewal, transfer, death, or a newly created position requiring certification.

For that kind of certified vacancy, the superintendent must submit the job posting to the statewide job posting system described in KRS 160.152 15 days before the position is filled, and the district must also post openings in the local board office for public viewing. KDE’s own employment guidance summarizes that same rule: certified vacancies are posted in the local board office and in KEPS, and KRS 160.380 requires notice/posting 15 days before filling a certification-required vacancy.

But if the district is hiring only a sports coach as an extra-duty assignment — especially a nonfaculty coach, assistant coach, seasonal stipend coach, etc. — KHSAA’s published interpretation says: “Coaching is an extra duty assignment and as such, advertising and posting requirements are set by the district.” That means there is not a single statewide “must remain open X days” rule for every coaching-only position. The district’s own board policy controls the timeline.

 

35 minutes ago, Pi said:

I asked ChatGPT and here's what the official ruling seems to be:

The big distinction: “teacher job” vs. “coaching extra-duty job”

Kentucky law treats a certified position vacancy differently from a coaching extra-duty assignment.

If the district is hiring a certified teaching position — for example, “PE Teacher / Head Football Coach,” or any job where teacher certification is required — then the Kentucky vacancy-posting statute kicks in. KRS 160.380 defines a “vacancy” as a certified position opening caused by resignation, dismissal, nonrenewal, transfer, death, or a newly created position requiring certification.

For that kind of certified vacancy, the superintendent must submit the job posting to the statewide job posting system described in KRS 160.152 15 days before the position is filled, and the district must also post openings in the local board office for public viewing. KDE’s own employment guidance summarizes that same rule: certified vacancies are posted in the local board office and in KEPS, and KRS 160.380 requires notice/posting 15 days before filling a certification-required vacancy.

But if the district is hiring only a sports coach as an extra-duty assignment — especially a nonfaculty coach, assistant coach, seasonal stipend coach, etc. — KHSAA’s published interpretation says: “Coaching is an extra duty assignment and as such, advertising and posting requirements are set by the district.” That means there is not a single statewide “must remain open X days” rule for every coaching-only position. The district’s own board policy controls the timeline.

 

Q.E.D.

33 minutes ago, Pi said:

I asked ChatGPT and here's what the official ruling seems to be:

The big distinction: “teacher job” vs. “coaching extra-duty job”

Kentucky law treats a certified position vacancy differently from a coaching extra-duty assignment.

If the district is hiring a certified teaching position — for example, “PE Teacher / Head Football Coach,” or any job where teacher certification is required — then the Kentucky vacancy-posting statute kicks in. KRS 160.380 defines a “vacancy” as a certified position opening caused by resignation, dismissal, nonrenewal, transfer, death, or a newly created position requiring certification.

For that kind of certified vacancy, the superintendent must submit the job posting to the statewide job posting system described in KRS 160.152 15 days before the position is filled, and the district must also post openings in the local board office for public viewing. KDE’s own employment guidance summarizes that same rule: certified vacancies are posted in the local board office and in KEPS, and KRS 160.380 requires notice/posting 15 days before filling a certification-required vacancy.

But if the district is hiring only a sports coach as an extra-duty assignment — especially a nonfaculty coach, assistant coach, seasonal stipend coach, etc. — KHSAA’s published interpretation says: “Coaching is an extra duty assignment and as such, advertising and posting requirements are set by the district.” That means there is not a single statewide “must remain open X days” rule for every coaching-only position. The district’s own board policy controls the timeline.

 

To piggyback more off this, this is the response googles AI gave. Does look like yes even coaching job do need to be posted. However, there are exceptions Beechwood was perfectly fine in the way they handled it. Here is what Google AI said:

Kentucky school districts cannot bypass posting requirements simply because "they already know who they want to hire." Doing so under normal circumstances would violate KRS 160.380. However, the law provides an explicit loophole for situations exactly like this one: 

Kentucky School Boards Association

1. The 15-Day Posting Requirement Was Waived

Under Kentucky law, a superintendent must normally submit a job vacancy to the statewide system 15 days before filling it. However, the statute states that if a vacancy needs to be filled in less than 15 days to prevent the disruption of necessary instructional or support services, the superintendent can request an immediate waiver from the Kentucky Commissioner of Education. 

Kentucky School Boards Association

Because Coach Jay Volker's exit happened in mid-May and official summer football workouts start immediately on June 1st, a 15-day public posting and interview period would have completely disrupted the athletic program. The state grants these emergency waivers specifically to avoid leaving students without leadership. 

WCPO 9 Cincinnati +2

2. It Was Structured as an "Appointment" 

Because Beechwood used the emergency provision, the administration was legally allowed to directly appoint Noel Rash to the position rather than running a standard open-hiring process. 

WCPO 9 Cincinnati +1

 

Was this really an emergency?  By all accounts, Volker was still going to be the head coach.  It sounds like it was Beechwood who decided to give Volker an ultimatum after some influential parents didn't like what was going on.  

I still claim this is one of the strangest turn of events I have ever seen in sports.

16 minutes ago, New Colonel said:

Was this really an emergency?

Of course not.  It was a calculated move by Beechwood. 

17 hours ago, New Colonel said:

Oh, good point.  That may open up a legal issue for the district if anyone throws a fit.

Also, how old is Coach Rash?  Is this a one year deal? 2? Because as an outsider looking in, while Beechwood being a storied program, you have the last 2 people that were head coaches being forced out, and right now the 3rd head coach in 6 years (even though it's only been 2 people).  The optics look really bad for those outside Ft. Mitchell.  Combine that with the issues that the former superintendent and that fiasco and Beechwood looks like a dumpster fire right now.  But as the old saying goes, winning fixes everything.

Fascinating that such a positive post would come from you and those who chose to like this ridiculous framing of Beechwood as a "dumpster fire"! Shocked! Dumbfounded!

Was it truly an "emergency"? Probably not.

Does it eliminate 15 days of non-sense when everyone knows who the hire was going to be? Yes.

I think a lot of times we see "Open Job" and think schools are actually going to have a wait and see process when in reality that is just not the case. Good AD's and administrations are always one coach ahead. 

21 hours ago, 9068 said:

I figured this could be a distinct possibility when I read that Coach Volker was going to teach in Ohio. I've always felt that Beechwood has had outstanding coaches and play a good early season schedule. This is definitely not a knock on their success, but they usually are not tested until the state semifinals. I have always had a great deal of respect for Coach Rash but what he did last year for the kids at Conner was above and beyond any championship he had won. Not only is he an HOF coach, he's an HOF man!! Keep it rolling Noel!!!

You nailed it! Noel is an outstanding individual period!

With Cooper turning over their head coach and Coach Rash heading back to Beechwood, do we end up seeing Bob Burnett return to Beechwood as an assistant?

2 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

With Cooper turning over their head coach and Coach Rash heading back to Beechwood, do we end up seeing Bob Burnett return to Beechwood as an assistant?

I had heard Coach Burnett was joining Ludlow's staff this season, but I will admit it was second hand information that hasn't been confirmed.

2 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

With Cooper turning over their head coach and Coach Rash heading back to Beechwood, do we end up seeing Bob Burnett return to Beechwood as an assistant?

I haven't had any run-ins with Bob since Coach Borchers left Cooper, but I heard from one friend of mine that he was considering a return to Dixie and in another conversation with a different acquaintance I was told that he has joined Woody McMillen at Ludlow. Bob is quite a resource for whichever program ends up getting to have him.

I have no first hand knowledge, but this feels like a stop gap move.   Appoint Rash now, and you've bought at least 1 year to do a search and find the right fit.   Saves you from making a bad hire now just because you have to have someone before summer practice starts.

He left Beechwood on his own terms a few seasons ago, as was his right, and seemed content with the choice.  Maybe the interim gig at Conner reminded him how much he loved it and he's back for a longer haul than expected, but it feels like a 1 (possibly 2) season stint, so that a place he clearly loves can make a decision that is best for them.

17 hours ago, Cincinnati Cobra said:

I haven't had any run-ins with Bob since Coach Borchers left Cooper, but I heard from one friend of mine that he was considering a return to Dixie and in another conversation with a different acquaintance I was told that he has joined Woody McMillen at Ludlow. Bob is quite a resource for whichever program ends up getting to have him.

 

17 hours ago, AvidSportsJunkie856 said:

I had heard Coach Burnett was joining Ludlow's staff this season, but I will admit it was second hand information that hasn't been confirmed.

Coach Burnett did or is joining Ludlow's staff this year. However, with Rash being back at Beechwood now. I wouldn't be surprised if that now changes and Coach B ends up now back at Beechwood with the coaching change at Beechwood. 

15 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

I have no first hand knowledge, but this feels like a stop gap move.   Appoint Rash now, and you've bought at least 1 year to do a search and find the right fit.   Saves you from making a bad hire now just because you have to have someone before summer practice starts.

He left Beechwood on his own terms a few seasons ago, as was his right, and seemed content with the choice.  Maybe the interim gig at Conner reminded him how much he loved it and he's back for a longer haul than expected, but it feels like a 1 (possibly 2) season stint, so that a place he clearly loves can make a decision that is best for them.

This may be a topic for another thread. However, is that true that he truly left on his own terms last time? As there has been suggestions on here, and other places that may not have been the case. Which now a few of those people that may have played a role in him leaving, are now no longer there. So I wouldn't be surprised if he is at Beechwood for a few years now, and is not just a one year thing. 

9 hours ago, futurecoach said:

This may be a topic for another thread. However, is that true that he truly left on his own terms last time? As there has been suggestions on here, and other places that may not have been the case. Which now a few of those people that may have played a role in him leaving, are now no longer there. So I wouldn't be surprised if he is at Beechwood for a few years now, and is not just a one year thing. 

There has certainly been some talk around town in the past few years about whether or not there was a large rift between Noel Rash and former Beechwood superintendent Dr. Mike Stacy. Some of the rumors I heard circulating early after Noel's retirement also included details about Noel wishing to stay on teaching at Beechwood after stepping down as football coach, but Dr. Stacy declining to renew Noel's teaching contract without him also present on the football field. Without having heard directly from Noel, from someone with direct knowledge from within the Beechwood football program, or from someone directly inside the school it's hard to say what was the truth of the matter. I am assuming here, but my guess is that Coach Rash's and Dr. Stacy's working relationship was what The Guru was hinting at in the Beechwood season thread when he mentioned an elephant in the room.