1) Bad circumstances don't equal bad decisions. By all accounts, this kid's family is a good one. He obviously rebelled. Don't blame his parents, blame him.

 

2) Comparing this situation to the Willie Williams situation would work, if we were comparing them either historically, or in the future. Right now, they're apples to oranges until we find out how Duran handles his future.

 

3) I hope he handles his future the way Willie Williams, and others that UL has taken a chance on recently have. Get this taken care of, get back on track, and work to regain your dream.

 

4) As a 19 year old, he deserves to be treated harshly. Maybe not by us, but by those closest to him. Most of us are observers only. I'm sure his family is in a lot of conflict right now. They want to defend him, he's their little boy. But it sounds like his mother is capable of being the "tough-love" kind of mother, and although not knowing her, I'm betting she won't let him think she thinks he's been victimized somehow.

 

5) This has nothing at all to do with UK, Rich Brooks, or their recruiting efforts. A school/team recruits the best athletes possible for their program. The baggage the recruits carry is their own responsibility, not the programs'. I'm sure Coach Brooks will make the right decision.

I am like you RM. I am all for second chances, period. However, when these teenagers become adults, it is their resposibility to keep their nose clean. Everything doen't fall on the parents. Good post RM. :thumb:

Great Post!! It's the few bad seeds that give Holmes their bad rep. What some don't realize is Holmes has some of the best academics in the state (only school with the I.B program), has the best vocational program in the state, and one of the best MJROTC programs in the state as well.

 

Holmes is actually thinking about going from an 8-12 school to a 10-12. The administrators and board of education think one of the main reasons for Holmes having many students with bad character is because the younger kids come in to high school as 8th graders and just aren't mature enough yet to handle a school of that size.

Being a Holmes High School Dad, I can honestly say that this is just another example of stupid thinking by the Covington school administration. The MJROTC program is NOT the best in the state. The school has been slowly strangling it to death for several years now. Same goes for the IB program. They would have killed that off several years back if not for the diligence of a few good people. The vocational school, IMO one of the most important aspects of the Holmes campus, continues on, but with lukewarm support. Many of Holme's best and most senior teachers have fled the school because of the apathy from the top towards challenging the students. This is a school chasing higher KERA results and has its crosshairs sighted squarely on mediocrity. Holmes bad rep is only partially due to students with parents how don't care. The rest of the bad rep is earned by an administration who does just enough to earn a paycheck.

Being a Holmes High School Dad, I can honestly say that this is just another example of stupid thinking by the Covington school administration. The MJROTC program is NOT the best in the state. The school has been slowly strangling it to death for several years now. Same goes for the IB program. They would have killed that off several years back if not for the diligence of a few good people. The vocational school, IMO one of the most important aspects of the Holmes campus, continues on, but with lukewarm support. Many of Holme's best and most senior teachers have fled the school because of the apathy from the top towards challenging the students. This is a school chasing higher KERA results and has its crosshairs sighted squarely on mediocrity. Holmes bad rep is only partially due to students with parents how don't care. The rest of the bad rep is earned by an administration who does just enough to earn a paycheck.

 

One of the biggest problems at Holmes is that unless you are taking an A.P or I.B class, your teachers aren't as close to you. Most schools require all of their students to take A.P level courses. There are no regular or general classes.

One of the biggest problems at Holmes is that unless you are taking an A.P or I.B class, your teachers aren't as close to you. Most schools require all of their students to take A.P level courses. There are no regular or general classes.

When my oldest son started JH at Holmes they had an orientation. At the orientation, they told us all the wonderful things about AP and then mentioned that traditional students didn't even get their own books among other things. My wife had a cow. I thought I was going to have to restrain her. It didn't matter that our kids were AP. If you don't take care of your traditional students, which make up the vast majority, then you're failing as a school.

My spouse and I both graduated from Holmes during 1976-77. We had to buy our own book's "and" pay for our own lunch. Neither of our families had "extra" money to spare. I was happy to have $1 to attend a basketball game. My Mom would use grocery money to buy used book's. ( My Dad died when we were 10 month's and 5 year's old). We all made it out just fine and we are proud to have graduated from Holmes.

We've gotten a bit off track. Holmes may have their problems, but the school is not the cause of Duran Jefferson's current situation.

We've gotten a bit off track. Holmes may have their problems, but the school is not the cause of Duran Jefferson's current situation.

 

:thumb: :thumb:

We've gotten a bit off track. Holmes may have their problems, but the school is not the cause of Duran Jefferson's current situation.

 

True.

1) Bad circumstances don't equal bad decisions. By all accounts, this kid's family is a good one. He obviously rebelled. Don't blame his parents, blame him.

 

 

4) As a 19 year old, he deserves to be treated harshly. Maybe not by us, but by those closest to him. Most of us are observers only.

 

5) This has nothing at all to do with UK, Rich Brooks, or their recruiting efforts. A school/team recruits the best athletes possible for their program. The baggage the recruits carry is their own responsibility, not the programs'. I'm sure Coach Brooks will make the right decision.

You entire post was good RM but I especially agree with the points that I have quoted. Great post :thumb:

We've gotten a bit off track. Holmes may have their problems, but the school is not the cause of Duran Jefferson's current situation.

:thumb: Don't balme the high school,. Imo that is just looking for an "out" or "excuse" from where the problem really is....................with the kid himself.

1) Bad circumstances don't equal bad decisions. By all accounts, this kid's family is a good one. He obviously rebelled. Don't blame his parents, blame him.

 

2) Comparing this situation to the Willie Williams situation would work, if we were comparing them either historically, or in the future. Right now, they're apples to oranges until we find out how Duran handles his future.

 

3) I hope he handles his future the way Willie Williams, and others that UL has taken a chance on recently have. Get this taken care of, get back on track, and work to regain your dream.

 

4) As a 19 year old, he deserves to be treated harshly. Maybe not by us, but by those closest to him. Most of us are observers only. I'm sure his family is in a lot of conflict right now. They want to defend him, he's their little boy. But it sounds like his mother is capable of being the "tough-love" kind of mother, and although not knowing her, I'm betting she won't let him think she thinks he's been victimized somehow.

 

5) This has nothing at all to do with UK, Rich Brooks, or their recruiting efforts. A school/team recruits the best athletes possible for their program. The baggage the recruits carry is their own responsibility, not the programs'. I'm sure Coach Brooks will make the right decision.

All excellent points.

I think this young man can be saved, but it will take a sympathetic judge and Coach Brooks to make it happen. I won't blame either if they decide to give Duran what he may deserve, but I really hope they give him another chance.

I think this young man can be saved, but it will take a sympathetic judge and Coach Brooks to make it happen. I won't blame either if they decide to give Duran what he may deserve, but I really hope they give him another chance.

 

My guess is that unless the charges are ultimately dropped, he will not play at UK.

Sad news. Even if the kid were signing somewhere other than UK I would still feel bad for him. It doesnt bother me as a fan that Kentucky lost a football player but it bothers me as a person that a young kid with the opportunity to get a free education and make his life better has lost that chance over one dumb decision.

 

 

 

I think there still may be a chance for Jefferson to be able to continue his gridiron exploits... so all is not lost!

 

No pity here... too many decent highschoolers never get the opportunity that was afforded to Jefferson.

From Cincy Enquirer Ryan Ernst's blog:

 

 

By Ryan Ernst

[email protected]

 

It appears Holmes standout athlete Duran Jefferson will remain in jail while his court proceedings progress.

 

The University of Kentucky football recruit, who last week was charged with stealing seven guns from a former Holmes assistant basketball coach, on Thursday appeared in Kenton District Court for a preliminary hearing. Judge Douglas Grothaus ruled that Jefferson’s $20,000 bond remain in place.

 

The judge did, however, grant Jefferson a continuance so the 19-year-old’s family could retain an attorney. He’ll appear in court again June 19. Jefferson has been in the Kenton County Jail since he was arrested Friday, the day he was supposed to graduate from Holmes. He is charged with first-degree burglary, a felony punishable by 10 years to 20 years in prison.

 

Jefferson, an Enquirer all-star in both football and basketball, committed to Kentucky before last season and signed scholarship papers with the school in February. He was expected to play defensive back for the Wildcats. When asked Wednesday about the status of Jefferson’s scholarship, Kentucky football spokesman Tony Neely reiterated a statement released from head coach Rich Brooks last week.

 

“We’re waiting to see what happens,” Neely said. “We’ll continue to evaluate the situation as the facts are determined.”

 

Jefferson entered the courtroom at the Kenton County Justice Center on Thursday afternoon wearing jail-issued red and white stripes. He was shackled at the ankles and wrists.

 

A crowd of about 20 classmates, friends, family and coaches gathered for the proceedings. Some let out an audible groan when Grothaus decided the $20,000 bond would remain. Jefferson’s mother, Tina Phillips, began to cry at the announcement.