This may be a stupid question, but to the Boyle Co. fans, what was the difference between Smith and Pardue? Smith seemed to lay a great foundation. What happened to that with Pardue?

First off - I am not enchanced with the title of "spoiled Fans" that was handed out to us. What follows below, in answer to your question, will explain why I don't think that was a title that is deserved.

 

I asked both of my nephews who played for both Smith and Pardue what the difference was between these two men. The answer I got was - Coach Smith was so intense but you got the feeling that he really did care for you as a person and not just a football player. Coach Smith never let you get away with doing anything wrong but he was always fair to you.

 

Coach Pardue - Is a nice man who has such a talent for calling the offensive plays. I think what happened here was he didn't quite know what to do with some of his coaches and IMO that's where the troubles were.

 

For me and my family our unhappiness was not the lack of winning and the lack of a state championship (and if you knew us you would know that's the truth), our problem was how we felt some of the kids were being treated.

 

We are a football family so we understand intense coaching and playing. We understand that sometimes things are done and said that you probably wouldn't do or say to your child in your own home. We understand all of that and have dealt with that for years. What we couldn't understand was the need to treat some kids in a way that we didn't feel was right.

First off - I am not enchanced with the title of "spoiled Fans" that was handed out to us. What follows below, in answer to your question, will explain why I don't think that was a title that is deserved.

 

I asked both of my nephews who played for both Smith and Pardue what the difference was between these two men. The answer I got was - Coach Smith was so intense but you got the feeling that he really did care for you as a person and not just a football player. Coach Smith never let you get away with doing anything wrong but he was always fair to you.

 

Coach Pardue - Is a nice man who has such a talent for calling the offensive plays. I think what happened here was he didn't quite know what to do with some of his coaches and IMO that's where the troubles were.

 

For me and my family our unhappiness was not the lack of winning and the lack of a state championship (and if you knew us you would know that's the truth), our problem was how we felt some of the kids were being treated.

 

We are a football family so we understand intense coaching and playing. We understand that sometimes things are done and said that you probably wouldn't do or say to your child in your own home. We understand all of that and have dealt with that for years. What we couldn't understand was the need to treat some kids in a way that we didn't feel was right.

 

 

Thanks! I understand a little clearer now. I'm confident Boyle will get a coach that fits. It seems the Boyle fans know what it takes and want the complete package. In that, some coaches excell in certain area's and let the ball drop in another, while another coach seems to be able to juggle all the balls and not let one drop.

Thanks! I understand a little clearer now. I'm confident Boyle will get a coach that fits. It seems the Boyle fans know what it takes and want the complete package. In that, some coaches excell in certain area's and let the ball drop in another, while another coach seems to be able to juggle all the balls and not let one drop.

 

I'm not saying that the coaches at Boyle County are bad people because they aren't. I think that all of them have a good heart and a great will to win. What I think makes a great coach is someone who also has a great love for the kids to go along with his great will to win.

 

You have to strive and work hard for state championships otherwise you will never make it to that level. That being said, I have to believe that you can reach that level without making kids suffer for it.

 

What I think we all fail to understand is that we aren't talking about professional football players here. We are talking about young kids who are working their tails off just because they have such a great love for the game. They are there to entertain us and we have to appreicate them whether they put a win in the books or not.

 

I've driven hundreds of miles all over this state for over 30 years watching this team play. I will have to say that for all but 5 of those years I didn't see a lot of wins and NO state championships but that never stopped me from getting behind the wheel and going to watch them play.

 

I don't think that it takes a good person with just a good heart to be a head coach, otherwise I'd be one. What it also takes is someone who can treat each kid fairly and equally and instill in them a will to win and to be a team player.

 

I've never said anything to a coach in all these years and I don't plan on starting now. If you can get a coach with the above qualifications and if he doesn't put too many wins in the books and if he doesn't come home with a state championship, I will still be o-kay with him.

 

 

I've never said anything to a coach in all these years and I don't plan on starting now. If you can get a coach with the above qualifications and if he doesn't put too many wins in the books and if he doesn't come home with a state championship, I will still be o-kay with him.

 

That's why Ed Rall will alway have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life.

 

It's not like Ed wasn't successful. He was 71-27 his first 9 years with 2 District Titles and 2 Conference Crowns (94-57 over the course of 14 seasons). But he never won a state title either. It still does not take away from the way he shaped lives as a head coach.

When I talk about spoiled fans or "the monster Chuck Smith created", I don't necessarily mean it in a negative way.

 

Chuck Smith (including the help of Chris Pardue), the administration at the time and a run of talent all collided to create a perfect storm, as it were. Whether the fans were spoiled by wins, championships or quality coaching, they WERE spoiled. They had it all and then lost it. That's all. I am not demeaning the character of any Boyle Countians. For me, it is a natural human reaction.

How do Boyle Countians feel about the hire. Are you happy with a coach coming from a program like Lincolns? Does French's age concern you? Does not having any championship game experience concern Rebel fans?

 

From Guy Morris to Larry French is a big stretch, hopefully the school and county is not unhappy with the hire.

How do Boyle Countians feel about the hire. Are you happy with a coach coming from a program like Lincolns? Does French's age concern you? Does not having any championship game experience concern Rebel fans?

 

From Guy Morris to Larry French is a big stretch, hopefully the school and county is not unhappy with the hire.

 

From Guy Morris to anybody (except maybe Chuck Smith) is a stretch.

 

I've always thought a lot of French's coaching abilities. I saw what he did at Mercer where there was no program. I remember how he took them to the Class A semi-finals in '86 I think and did it with guts and mirrors.

 

He did a fine job at Meade County and if memory serves got to the AAAA semi-finals once and gave Trinity a good game for their money. (Or was it St X, the 2 run together for this outsider )

 

Then he came to down and out Lincoln program and returned a sense of pride and tradition back to the Pats in a very short time.

 

I'm excited if Larry becomes the Boyle coach. He's got a proven track record that will help the Rebels now and in the future.

How do Boyle Countians feel about the hire. Are you happy with a coach coming from a program like Lincolns? Does French's age concern you? Does not having any championship game experience concern Rebel fans?

 

From Guy Morris to Larry French is a big stretch, hopefully the school and county is not unhappy with the hire.

 

I think Coach French was the head coach of the Meade County team that lost to Bell County in the state finals? If i am correct in that, then he does have championship game experience.

 

 

He did a fine job at Meade County and if memory serves got to the AAAA semi-finals once and gave Trinity a good game for their money. (Or was it St X, the 2 run together for this outsider )

 

 

Never played Trinity, but did beat St. X in the playoffs in 2001. X was number 1 in the state at the time going into the playoffs. They ended up getting beat that year by Michael Bush and Chris Barclay's Male team.

 

French did take the 1991 team at Meade to the state finals in 3A but was beat by Bell.

Looks like French will be at Boyle next year.

 

Here's a quote from today's Advocate-Messenger:

 

Boyle County officially offered its head football coaching position to Lincoln County coach Larry French this morning, and he has the rest of the day to decide if he will take the job or not.

 

"It looks pretty favorable that we will end up at Boyle County before it is all said and done," French said after his meeting with Boyle officials this morning. "I heard the right things. They were all positive. It all went well with the interview. It would be awful hard to turn down."

That's why Ed Rall will alway have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life.

 

It's not like Ed wasn't successful. He was 71-27 his first 9 years with 2 District Titles and 2 Conference Crowns (94-57 over the course of 14 seasons). But he never won a state title either. It still does not take away from the way he shaped lives as a head coach.

Mine Also Hatz.................

Looks like French will be at Boyle next year.

 

Here's a quote from today's Advocate-Messenger:

 

Boyle County officially offered its head football coaching position to Lincoln County coach Larry French this morning, and he has the rest of the day to decide if he will take the job or not.

 

"It looks pretty favorable that we will end up at Boyle County before it is all said and done," French said after his meeting with Boyle officials this morning. "I heard the right things. They were all positive. It all went well with the interview. It would be awful hard to turn down."

 

If you'll look at the Lincoln thread you will see that nothing is in stone yet. Waiting that extra day gives French time to decide what is best and Lincoln time to counter the Boyle situation. It should be interesting come lunchtime tomorrow (or before).

When I talk about spoiled fans or "the monster Chuck Smith created", I don't necessarily mean it in a negative way.

 

Chuck Smith (including the help of Chris Pardue), the administration at the time and a run of talent all collided to create a perfect storm, as it were. Whether the fans were spoiled by wins, championships or quality coaching, they WERE spoiled. They had it all and then lost it. That's all. I am not demeaning the character of any Boyle Countians. For me, it is a natural human reaction.

 

Well I will have to admit that I never thought of myself as "spoiled" just completely satisfied:D:D

 

I think that the true fans (which I think of myself as one) remembers the lean years when we didn't have anything to lose and still totally appreicated all the hard work that all those kids did.

 

I saw how my nephew reacted about his senior year and even though it was one of the hardest years he had ever had, he came out of it with a new appreication for how people should be treated, and for that I will always be grateful. This may sound corny to some people, but I have always believed that there are blessings in everything, even those times of our lives that don't go the way we would wish for them to go.

 

I wish the best for the new coach, whoever he might be, and I hope that he never forgets that he is only there because those young men are there.

I'm on the fence with this one, I would like to see Coach French as the new BC Coach, but also would not like to see Coach French leave LC. He's done a great job for the LC folks, I really do feel for the LC players and fans,but this also could be a great opportunity for him as well for the the Boyle Co football program.So I guess we'll let Coach French decides whats best for him and his family.

I'm on the fence with this one, I would like to see Coach French as the new BC Coach, but also would not like to see Coach French leave LC. He's done a great job for the LC folks, I really do feel for the LC players and fans,but this also could be a great opportunity for him as well for the the Boyle Co football program.So I guess we'll let Coach French decides whats best for him and his family.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. :thumb: