I totally agree that to sustain a decent program a change from the status quo must be initiated & really pressed for. If Morgan Co. can fund & support a good basketball program, there is no valid reason why they can't do the same for the football program.

 

Thats simple, the admin. thats responsible for making or breaking the football program ARE NOT football fans.

Thats simple, the admin. thats responsible for making or breaking the football program ARE NOT football fans.

It's sad, because the administration should be fans of all sports programs at Morgan Co., not just basketball. Not to mention you would think that they'd understand that a good football program would draw fans & a decent gate financially ! No reason why you cannot have multiple successful sports programs at the same school.

It is sad, because Morgan Co. has a very good feeder program, that is ran by some great people. Morgan Co. has a lot of potential in football, if everyone would just embrace it.

Well, it will stay that way until everyone gets on the same page & makes a solid committment to back the football program. No decent coach will come there knowing that there's no committment (to make the program better) from the administration. You're fighting a losing battle...

Where are some of you people getting your information from?

 

Do you think that the "so-called-administration" supports basketball more than football financially? Do you want me to provide dollar figures, merchandise, and proof? I can do that if you wish.

 

The propoganda and 2nd hand information flowed along by irritated people or tertiary parties of Morgan County athletics is hilarious. It's almost as if people do not want anyone to come here, so they make up senseless things to say and look for someone to blame.

Where are some of you people getting your information from?

 

Do you think that the "so-called-administration" supports basketball more than football financially? Do you want me to provide dollar figures, merchandise, and proof? I can do that if you wish.

 

The propoganda and 2nd hand information flowed along by irritated people or tertiary parties of Morgan County athletics is hilarious. It's almost as if people do not want anyone to come here, so they make up senseless things to say and look for someone to blame.

 

Nets, with all due respect, look at the facilities that the football program operates in and with. Now I know you have said that plans are kinda set to improve this, but the fact remains why has these kids not been given these updates alot sooner. Then, one has to ask itself the question of, "how long has the current facilties, weightroom, stadium... etc. Been without renovations. Kids do take a lot of pride or sometimes a little embarassement in there school.

I have stated a million times before, "I wish...." that facilities would improve for Morgan County football; everyone living here wishes that. However, despite my personal desires and position, I'm only one voice.

 

The football field does have a very nice bermuda turf that cost $21,000 that was put in two years ago, a new roof was placed on the exisiting Cougar Den last year, and although old and needing additional improvements, it is a very large place with open lockers, multiple rooms, meeting rooms, coaches rooms/locker area, and separate equipment rooms.

 

The weight room went from the bottom part of the Cougar Den and moved into the high school gymnasium which has been a lot better, a sectioned off room with free weights were bought 4-5 years ago, with weight room flooring, etc. This room and practice day locker area is in the upper part of the gym but was convenient to do a few years back since they practice at the high school practice field and use the game day field only on game days.

 

This current year we are looking at either construction or purchase of sit down wooden lockers for individual players to be put in this area for this season.

 

To somewhat answer an earlier claim about administrative support for basketball and comparing to football in which some felt that was a discrepency. Well, try this on for size. Currently the only booster group that exists is the Quarterback Club. Administration dismantled the Tip-Off Club (Basketball) (Yes, when Morgan Co. boys were winning 20 games a year and championships each season). IN addition, the football players NEVER buy their own shoes for play. While the boy's and girl's basketball teams must pay 1/2 of the price of their shoes. The Quarterback Club raises enough money each and every year to purchase all shoes for its players and the kids are out $0 to play football at Morgan County, unless they want some things personally such as wristbands, etc. or non-essential items.

 

It takes several thousand dollars each year to fund football, and Morgan County has always paid up. The new coach wanted head sets.....head sets were bought, a few years ago the coach wanted a new sled, a new sled was bought. In some school districts in Kentucky, the budget of the individual school or program must fund its transportation. In Morgan Co., all transportation is funded by the board without question.....if our football program wants to travel they are never denied or told it may cost too much to fund a driver and gas. That is something a lot of people don't take into consideration or think is a very big deal but in the long run it is...ask a few schools in Floyd Co., about that aspect of transportation budget.

 

A few last comments about administrative support. The administration is supporting the basketball program now just like it did from 1999-2006 in which saw Morgan County becoming one of the winningest programs in Kentucky....actually, it was during those times that Morgan Co. would operate on a less than 2K budget for the year and the only thing bought were a set of uniforms (in their rotation cycle), practice uniforms (2) times in 7 years, some tape, pre-wrap, 3 whistles, and 3 score books.

 

Also, in 2001 Morgan County wanted to build wooden lockers in their locker area but were told "NO" because of OSHA standards. Football can if they would like. The basketball coach at Morgan County has won over 150 games and 8 assorted championships but does not posses a school lap top computer or projector to take home. Our football coaching position is granted that upon their wish. Also the basketball program is allotted (2) paid coaches while most schools have 3-4 paid positions. Morgan County football is allotted (6) paid assistant coaches (the same number of paid assistant coaches at Louisville Trinity which operates over 100 football players to Morgan County's 30-40 on the large end).

 

Morgan County football coach does have say-so in football from K-12 at Morgan County and Coach Wood did what he wanted to with the middle school program as far as implementation of a system, style, etc. Morgan Co. basketball coach after 7 years of wishes of doing this is now only in his 1st year of full control of the middle school program.

 

Could someone now tell me (with facts) that administrative support is greater in basketball than in football. Remember, FACTS speak a lout louder and clearer than vague assumptions only heard through the grapevine or from a disgruntled party whose M.O. in life is looking for blame. Think about it.

 

Morgan County football will be brighter and the outlook is better and in the coming days, several very qualified individulas will be interviewed, evaluated, and then one will be selected and told "enjoy your program" and hope to build championship success....the city of West Liberty and Morgan County in general is starving for that success it knows it can enjoy on the football field and there is some great talent coming up! The new coach will develop how he likes and all the while, gets to push the buttons and see the fruits of their labor with improvements in our teams and facilitiles looming, the new coach will put their stamp on all of those possibilities FIRST. It's their program.

Joe Dan Gold, the current superintendent at Morgan County, was the superintendent at Mason County when I came here in 1996. He, Duane Lambert our principal, and Fred Hester, our athletic director convinced me that they were committed to football, and they followed through on the things they said they would do.

 

I would say that Mr. Gold is doing everything he can for football within the proper priorities of running a school system. There are things all coaches would like, including myself, and we don't like it when we are told no. But, administrators have to prioritize needs for an entire district, not just what football needs.

 

Football is an expensive endeavor and it is tough for communities to afford all the things that go into having a quality program- staffing(competive staff stipends) weight facilities, quality/safe high standard helmets & shoulder pads, lockerrooms, coaches' office, practice facility and equipment, game field, stadium, etc. In all fairness, it is a lot easier to support a quality basketball program because the expenses are dramatically less. Of course, it is a worthwhile investment for the experience it gives the kids and community when resources are invested in football. But, it is tough to get the ball rolling with the initial start up or to make substantial but needed improvements.

 

My best guess would be that Mr. Gold is doing the best he can with the resources he has available.

 

On a sidenote, when I was a sophomore at Mercer County HS, I attended Phil Simms QB Camp at Morehead State. My partner that week was a phenomenal player, just a freshman. He went on to earn a scholarship at UK. He was from a school I'd never heard of............ his name was Bill Allen and he was from Morgan County HS!

 

Best of luck to Nets and the Cougars.

Very well said Chiefsmoke. There are a bunch of continued wants and needs and over the course of time they will be done. There is a full committment not only by Morgan Co. Schools, but also the community businesses who have proved year in and year out, they support football as well.

 

The Utopian H.S. football program is in the top 1-2% of football playing school's in Kentucky. And after reading about a lot of other school's searching for coaches, not every place outside of Morgan CO. is the perfect football scenario for coaches, players, or communities.

 

Morgan Co. football needs a quality leader of the young men that make up the football team. They are ready to begin seeing gentlemen walk into the school for interviews and are anxious to meet someone who will help them succeed. Look for interviews to begin very shortly. MC Schools, I imagine have been and will continue to be doing extensive backgrounds and searching for the person that is the right fit for Morgan County. Like I said earlier, there are several more candidates this year and there is a good make up of quality at this point, of course we know, as in the past, things can change, people can drop out and of course...drop their name into the hat at the last minute. Personally, this is a very exciting time and I'm sure the aniticipation is just as exciting for our players.

Very well said Chiefsmoke. There are a bunch of continued wants and needs and over the course of time they will be done. There is a full committment not only by Morgan Co. Schools, but also the community businesses who have proved year in and year out, they support football as well.

 

The Utopian H.S. football program is in the top 1-2% of football playing school's in Kentucky. And after reading about a lot of other school's searching for coaches, not every place outside of Morgan CO. is the perfect football scenario for coaches, players, or communities.

 

Morgan Co. football needs a quality leader of the young men that make up the football team. They are ready to begin seeing gentlemen walk into the school for interviews and are anxious to meet someone who will help them succeed. Look for interviews to begin very shortly. MC Schools, I imagine have been and will continue to be doing extensive backgrounds and searching for the person that is the right fit for Morgan County. Like I said earlier, there are several more candidates this year and there is a good make up of quality at this point, of course we know, as in the past, things can change, people can drop out and of course...drop their name into the hat at the last minute. Personally, this is a very exciting time and I'm sure the aniticipation is just as exciting for our players.

 

Nets, all you have said has trememndouse merit.....But the truest example of administrative support is given in one way.....you say they have 6 paid assistants...Does the administration work sincerely with the head coach to place those 6 paid assistants inside of their schools as teachers also? If so, then I will say that Morgan County goes from being a decent job to a tremendous JOB!

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't Coach Turner by way of Lou. Western and played his HS ball at Belfry?

 

If I am thinking of the right person, I will attest he was doing everything in his power to try to get more help in terms of asisstant coaches, including asking former grade school coaches from the Belfry area if they would be interested in driving to West Liberty once a week to help out as volunteers.

 

By no means am I in position to make any assumptions on whether Morgan County is making the effort to provide enough support to get the footbal program up and running, but whoever is hired as the next coach needs to realize that it will not be a quick turnaround, and should focus his intentions on getting a coaching staff in place immediately before he even thinks about facilities.

I played for Norman and Woods, both great coachs. But as a player there needs to be more work done to the game field and other facilites. I have been to many meetings to try and get this town to update our facilities but it always gets turned down.

 

And Coach Norman had a great season, no matter what our record was, he got us to believe in our selves, and work as a unit. I dont think anyone else could have done what he has done with situation that was given. Many thanks to Coach Norman

Who all was interviewed?

I am being told it was narrowed to 3 candidates. Jerry Allen, an assistant on the team now, some coach from Virginia, and another unknown candidate. Does anyone else have any insight?

Jerry is a good dude, but I'm not sure if he is the guy for the job there at Morgan. I could be wrong and I hope I am. I wish Morgan the best on whoever gets the position.