Dodd and the sunshine gang needs to hit the road. Football is successful do to a stable environment for the players. Basketball has struggled since Sparks left, but the higher-ups don't get it. Bring in a familiar face that can reenergize the program and get out of the way. My husband and I have been fans of all the programs, but basketball is very hard to watch due to the turmoil that surrounds it. I don't agree with players leaving, but only the players, parents, and coaches know the true story. So, leave it to them to sort it out.

 

I take exception to these remarks. Let's examine what the Devils have done in the 5 1/2 years under Coach Dodd. This includes winning the region for the first time since 1972 and they were certainly the favorite to repeat last year, until Vanhoose went down with a knee injury.

 

2003 15-15 lost to Ashland in the region semi-final on a last second

shot. 43-41

 

2004 17-11 lost to Morgan Co in the region semi-final. 49-44

 

2005 18-13 lost to Rowan Co in the region final. 53-45

 

2006 18-14 Won the 16th Region final defeating Elliott Co. 56-52

 

2007 27-5 Lost to Elliott Co in the region semi-final 51-35 (Without

Vanhoose)

 

2008 2-14 After losing 10 of the their top 12 players from last year,

 

including the two projected starters who moved this summer, everyone knew it would take 2-3 years to rebuild.

 

I certainly hate to lose any players, especially Jacob and Mike because I've known them longer and they were a part of the winning teams. I wish them the best. I will still be there pulling for the younger Devils.

 

Russell basketball is in good hands. It will just take time to rebuild with the younger kids who will now be forced to gain even more experience.:fire:

I take exception to these remarks. Let's examine what the Devils have done in the 5 1/2 years under Coach Dodd. This includes winning the region for the first time since 1972 and they were certainly the favorite to repeat last year, until Vanhoose went down with a knee injury.

 

2003 15-15 lost to Ashland in the region semi-final on a last second

shot. 43-41

 

2004 17-11 lost to Morgan Co in the region semi-final. 49-44

 

2005 18-13 lost to Rowan Co in the region final. 53-45

 

2006 18-14 Won the 16th Region final defeating Elliott Co. 56-52

 

2007 27-5 Lost to Elliott Co in the region semi-final 51-35 (Without

Vanhoose)

 

2008 2-14 After losing 10 of the their top 12 players from last year,

 

including the two projected starters who moved this summer, everyone knew it would take 2-3 years to rebuild.

 

I certainly hate to lose any players, especially Jacob and Mike because I've known them longer and they were a part of the winning teams. I wish them the best. I will still be there pulling for the younger Devils.

 

Russell basketball is in good hands. It will just take time to rebuild with the younger kids who will now be forced to gain even more experience.:fire:

Very well said Duck!!!!!

There are alot of posts on this thread that I would like to address, just let me say since the current russell bb coach arrived there has been nothing but turmoil.Its time for him to go. A 16 region championship after a severe drought didn't even get the community excited.There have been too many reddevils either not play or quit.All the "never quit posters" on here apparently don't understand the depth of the problem in Russell.

Duck1220, offered valid Basketball results, to offset Coach Dodd, not being productive.

 

Often times, teams that have some chemistry will achieve excellent season, as the Red Devils have. Perhaps the problems with some of the "turmoil", as some speak of is not from the Players themselves, but rather from those who can't put on the uniform and convey that message, to some players.

Part of being a good coach is having a personality, an any one who has talked to him knows he comes across as very arrogrant, that is one of the reasons parents as well as players and other coaches don't have alot of respect for Dodd

Part of being a good coach is having a personality, an any one who has talked to him knows he comes across as very arrogant, that is one of the reasons parents as well as players and other coaches don't have alot of respect for Dodd

If Coaching was a popularity contest, than none of us would ever get into it.

 

Players will more times that naught, learn the difference between like and respect but often, parents never do. I admire those who put in endless hours of preparation, practice, game prep and always hear, the negative from others.

 

Show me a Coach who isn't confident in him/herself and I'll show you, a person who won't last in the profession.

I dont agree with blanket statements on this thread about quitting.The old tried and true quitters never win and winners never quit.I personally know several kids who have quit or chosen not play over the past few years and I would not classify the majority of them as quitters.The majority of them are quite the contrary.Talk to some of the coaches past players and see what kind of glowing remarks you get.Try it with some of his asstiants.To build and instill character and loyalty you must first have some yourself.

Is Dodd a Russell graduate?

Maybe they wanted to get a job or do something that might benefit them in the future.

2 great kids may have made an emotional decision that they may want to reconsider when they wake up in the morning. All of this public discussion does not benefit them. I don't understand why some people want to "pounce"

on the first sound of bad news, especially when it involves kids and coaches.

Players have ups and downs over the course of the season, (kinda like life)

let them work out the downs in private, and applaud the ups in public:thumb:

Is Dodd a Russell graduate?

 

He is a graduate of Ashland.

2 great kids may have made an emotional decision that they may want to reconsider when they wake up in the morning. All of this public discussion does not benefit them. I don't understand why some people want to "pounce"

on the first sound of bad news, especially when it involves kids and coaches.

Players have ups and downs over the course of the season, (kinda like life)

let them work out the downs in private, and applaud the ups in public:thumb:

 

:thumb:

In response to duck1220-- All that success,but no love! Where is the love, man? I wish I could find it.Take your blinders off and talk to people on the street.Yea baby takin it to the streets.

In response to duck1220-- All that success,but no love! Where is the love, man? I wish I could find it.Take your blinders off and talk to people on the street.Yea baby takin it to the streets.

 

 

A handfull of negative posters and a few disgruntled parents do not constitute No Love. I would venture to guess that I know as many, if not many more people than you in the Russell District. I'm a 1973 grad:fire: and have lived here my whole life.

I dont agree with blanket statements on this thread about quitting.The old tried and true quitters never win and winners never quit.I personally know several kids who have quit or chosen not play over the past few years and I would not classify the majority of them as quitters.The majority of them are quite the contrary.Talk to some of the coaches past players and see what kind of glowing remarks you get.Try it with some of his asstiants.To build and instill character and loyalty you must first have some yourself.

 

 

I talk to the Russell coaches on a daily basis and it is my opinion that I know all of them much better than you.

 

I could not hand pick a better group of coaches for my own son to be around, on and off the court.:thumb:

 

Trey Edwards, a former player under Coach Dodd, is currently on the staff.:fire:

I'm probably one of the few that sits in the middle on this. The biggest problem to me seems to be the division between the two sides that has polarized the basketball program. Its a sport and supposed to be fun and teach lessons to the kids that want to play it. The only lesson being taught right now is how to divide a community. I think both sides need to rebuild a few bridges that have been burned. I hope they can.