As far as losing kids to the county schools one thing you left out is the rule that the county made in which only a certain amount of kids who are from the county can attend Pikeville. Even if a kid from out in the county wanted to attend school here theres a good chance he might not be able to. To be honest I dont know how the county schools get away with this. It sounds alot like restricting a childs right to get a better education to me but thats another thread in and of itself LOL!

 

 

 

Hmmm.. learn something new everyday... that's a really interesting tidbit...

 

I definately agree with your assessment, this particular hire will have a major impact on one of Kentucky's most storied programs. Will be interestng to see if Pikeville A) Goes outside of the program B) Hires on experience C) Hires on youth and energy

 

As for restricting education, that gap seems to be closing pretty fast over the past few years.:sssh: Pike County has become blessed to have numerous quality schools with administrations willing to go the extra yard to improve academic quality.

Knute,

 

Alot of what I typed was, as I bolded, my perception. It's not my place to guess as to what impact those things had, if any, on CoachJ leaving for Ballard. But, these are things that will be critical to determing the "success" the next coach has. I base my observation on talking with people within the Panther community and noting what I have noticed.

 

CoachJ cannot be pointed at for none of the above issues, these have all been appearing since the Panther's hay-days with Hilliard Howard. Alot can be credited to the lack of longevity Pikeville has found at the head coaching position since Howard's departure: McNamee, Mayo, and now Jackson have all came and went.

 

In terms of numbers, as I stated Pikeville will never field a 60 man roster, the enrollment is not high enough, and most Pikeville kids are really involved in numerous endeavors and alternate sports as it is, which is definately a good thing. It also seems that in high school football, playoff success directly influences the number of kids out. As Pikeville has slowly faded from the deep playoff runs of the past, it seems as though the numbers have reflected it. Not to give the impression of recruiting, but it is also worth noting that over the past ten years the other county schools have made great strides in improving facilities and strengthening their programs, thus, kids who once lived in a position where they could commute to play at Pikeville (say kids from the Virgie or Mullins area), are now opting to stay at the county school.

 

The Belfry point I made has been illustrated by three factors culminating at once. A) As covered, Pikeville isn't the state power they once were B) Belfry's program continues to grow and get stronger C) The local media will naturally gravitate to the team making the most noise w/ the more engaged (and profitable) fan base.

 

The 4th point is not an issue that has changed much, but an issue that could easily be taken for granted.

Thank you- it sounds like the powers that be have a huge decision to make to get the program back to its hay-day. I hope you all find a great fit.

Thank you- it sounds like the powers that be have a huge decision to make to get the program back to its hay-day. I hope you all find a great fit.

 

HAHA.... make no mistake Knute I am a Belfry fan, but I do hope things go well for the Panther nation.

How politically correct of you, EKU. :lol:

These are very good points. I dont place the blame of our decline on Coach J. Alot of our problem has been the lack of player development in the LL program. I had a person who coached LL tell me 7-8 years ago that this was coming. Also our inadequecies in our off season conditioning programs were to blame as well and it showed whenever we played a good team. I dont care how good of athletes you have. If the players arent properly developed at the LL level and then properly trained at the high school level you might beat the Allen Centrals of the world but youll never beat the Beechwoods and Belfrys of the world.

 

As far as numbers go I think the most weve ever had that I can remember was 53 on the 89 state title team. The good news is that according to Copely there have been 51 participating in off season weights. That is definately a good sign.

 

As far as losing kids to the county schools one thing you left out is the rule that the county made in which only a certain amount of kids who are from the county can attend Pikeville. Even if a kid from out in the county wanted to attend school here theres a good chance he might not be able to. To be honest I dont know how the county schools get away with this. It sounds alot like restricting a childs right to get a better education to me but thats another thread in and of itself LOL!

 

IMO our program is at a crossroads. It wouldnt take much for us to be right back in our rightful place of contendeing for Titles in 1a. Or we could be just like the rest of those teams in our district. If the right coach is hired we will be back and it wont take long at all. If the wrong coach is hired we will sink even deeper. IMO this might be the most important hire in our programs history.

 

 

So you are saying part of the problem in Pikeville is the kids in little league are not developed properly?

That is one of the craziest things I ever heard. What should the LL do start a weight program so they are benching 350 by 9 years old.

 

It's called coaching. That is what has to happen. Coach every kid, not just the varsity but invest time into the freshmen.

 

As far as beat the Beechwood's of the world it's called talent. Beechwood is in area that has more to chose from than in Pike County. This is not a slap in the face of the kids in Pike County. I am just saying there are more people living in NKY.

So you are saying part of the problem in Pikeville is the kids in little league are not developed properly?

That is one of the craziest things I ever heard. What should the LL do start a weight program so they are benching 350 by 9 years old.

 

When he mentioned player development in LL, I didn't think he was talking about weight training.

 

I thought he meant the players were coming to high school underdeveloped from a football point of view (lack of fundamentals and skills development), not from a physical point of view.

So you are saying part of the problem in Pikeville is the kids in little league are not developed properly?

That is one of the craziest things I ever heard. What should the LL do start a weight program so they are benching 350 by 9 years old.

 

It's called coaching. That is what has to happen. Coach every kid, not just the varsity but invest time into the freshmen.

 

As far as beat the Beechwood's of the world it's called talent. Beechwood is in area that has more to chose from than in Pike County. This is not a slap in the face of the kids in Pike County. I am just saying there are more people living in NKY.

I was saying that kids have been under developed as far as fundamentals. The weight training stuff was after they were in high school.

Yes, Pikeville is an independent district.

 

If I understand it correctly, the County releases the funds so the students don't have to pay the tuition. And the agreement is reciprocal so any City kids can attend County schools tuition free also, and the state money will follow.

Kids outside the city limits have to pay tuition. Its always been that way as far back as I can remember.

Hmmm.. learn something new everyday... that's a really interesting tidbit...

 

I definately agree with your assessment, this particular hire will have a major impact on one of Kentucky's most storied programs. Will be interestng to see if Pikeville A) Goes outside of the program B) Hires on experience C) Hires on youth and energy

 

As for restricting education, that gap seems to be closing pretty fast over the past few years.:sssh: Pike County has become blessed to have numerous quality schools with administrations willing to go the extra yard to improve academic quality.

It wasnt meant as a slight to the county schools. Im just saying that if a parent is willing to spend their hard earned money to send their child to school somewhere they should be allowed to. Last I checked this was a free country. As far as what directon the hire is made I hope they go with "C" as in Copely that is.:thumb:

Kids outside the city limits have to pay tuition. Its always been that way as far back as I can remember.

 

That may be true, mojo, but is it possible that Pike Co kids are exempt from that because of the mutual agreement I mentioned?

 

I was told by a pretty high ranking official with the Pike County BOE that county kids don't pay tuition and neither do Pikeville City kids who attend the county schools.

 

If that info is wrong, then I apologize to everyone.

I was saying that kids have been under developed as far as fundamentals. The weight training stuff was after they were in high school.

 

 

Ok, but that is a problem in 90% of the youth leagues around the state.

If that is true CoachBuckett, and it may be, then how many of the perennially successful programs around the state would you think fall into the other 10%?

If that is true CoachBuckett, and it may be, then how many of the perennially successful programs around the state would you think fall into the other 10%?

 

Not sure who they are, I am just speaking from being around different LL programs. Most of those are coached by people that are only out to win instead of teaching.

 

the good programs usally are ran by the high school football coaches.

I was saying that kids have been under developed as far as fundamentals. The weight training stuff was after they were in high school.

 

Pikeville has one of the best weight training programs in the state. I know Coach Copley gets it done in the weight room. How are they lacking in this area??????

That may be true, mojo, but is it possible that Pike Co kids are exempt from that because of the mutual agreement I mentioned?

 

I was told by a pretty high ranking official with the Pike County BOE that county kids don't pay tuition and neither do Pikeville City kids who attend the county schools.

 

If that info is wrong, then I apologize to everyone.

City kids dont have to pay tuition if they go to the county schools because their parents already pay county school taxes. Kids who live out of the city have to pay tuition because their parents dont pay city school taxes. Im speaking from experience. I lived out in the county but went to school at Pikeville and my parents had to pay tuition. There are acutally some spots in the city limits where if kids want to go to school at Pikeville the parents have to pay tuition so if what you say is true Im going to the Pikeville BOE and demanding a refund! LOL!