:thumb: Still think Chuck is better.

 

I was at Mercer when French and Smith were both there. Mercer's team got better when Smith arrived but the quality of players was also better.

Bottom line is this: French and Smith are excellent coaches who happen to also be QUALITY people! Marty Jaggers could learn alot from these 2 coaches.

I was at Mercer when French and Smith were both there. Mercer's team got better when Smith arrived but the quality of players was also better.

Bottom line is this: French and Smith are excellent coaches who happen to also be QUALITY people! Marty Jaggers could learn alot from these 2 coaches.

 

What years was French and Smith at Mercer?

What years was French and Smith at Mercer?

 

I believe for just 2 years, 1986 and 1987. But, now that I think about it, they may have been together for a couple of years after that, also. I'll check on it.

What years was French and Smith at Mercer?

 

I know French arrived at Mercer in '79 and did a very good job from the beginning given limited talent and in the same town with a strong Harrodsburg program. A former Scottie could help with when Chuck Smith arrived (maybe '85 ?). I know I saw Mercer make the Class A Semi-Finals on the leadership of a QB (Davis?) and gutsy defense. I believe French was still the coach when the Scotties gave Danville all they wanted in a playoff game in '89 or '88 if memory serves. Was Smith part of the program then as well?

I was at Mercer when French and Smith were both there. Mercer's team got better when Smith arrived but the quality of players was also better.

Bottom line is this: French and Smith are excellent coaches who happen to also be QUALITY people! Marty Jaggers could learn alot from these 2 coaches.

 

Jaggers could learn from Coach French both on and off the field. GO REBELS

Smith left in the summer of 1987 to be the head coach at Allen County-Scottsville then left after only one year to become head coach at Campbellsville High.

:thumb: Still think Chuck is better.

 

I agree. But it is close. Smith had a lot of talent to work with through the years. That being said, Chuck Smith was/is a GREAT coach.

 

They do run a VERY similar style of defense though...

I know French arrived at Mercer in '79 and did a very good job from the beginning given limited talent and in the same town with a strong Harrodsburg program. A former Scottie could help with when Chuck Smith arrived (maybe '85 ?). I know I saw Mercer make the Class A Semi-Finals on the leadership of a QB (Davis?) and gutsy defense. I believe French was still the coach when the Scotties gave Danville all they wanted in a playoff game in '89 or '88 if memory serves. Was Smith part of the program then as well?

 

 

I won't swear to it but I believe French left after the 1989 season to go to Meade Co. Smith had left a year or 2 before that.

French went to Meade Co. because the Mercer school administration would not upgrade the football locker room which was in pitiful shape at that time. It seems that I remember some talk about hiring Smith for the job when French left but they decided to hire Roscoe Perkins instead (another great hire of former AD Larry Yeager).:mad:

I know French arrived at Mercer in '79 and did a very good job from the beginning given limited talent and in the same town with a strong Harrodsburg program. A former Scottie could help with when Chuck Smith arrived (maybe '85 ?). I know I saw Mercer make the Class A Semi-Finals on the leadership of a QB (Davis?) and gutsy defense. I believe French was still the coach when the Scotties gave Danville all they wanted in a playoff game in '89 or '88 if memory serves. Was Smith part of the program then as well?

 

Sorry, I didn't answer all your questions in the previous post.

I believe that Smith arrived in 85 or 86. We had some good teams in the late 80's of which he was an important part of. I remember some of players describing him as crazy and in your face during the summer 2 a days. But, they all liked him.

Mercer made the semi-finals in 87 and got beat by Heath Co. Heath, had a huge line that we were no match for. Dennis Davis was the quarterback of an option attack. Good team but we still couldn't match the speed of Danville.

Jaggers could learn from Coach French both on and off the field. GO REBELS

 

You could say that again.

Guess who taught him...:confused::walk:

 

From my understanding, French was hired at Mercer as an assistant coach under John Buchanan. Buchanan went to Mercer from Boyle Co. Sometime in late 80's French hired David Buchanan (former player) as an assistant. So, at one time you had French, Chuck Smith and David Buchanan on the same coaching staff at Mercer. Can you imagine if those 3 were together at Mercer now?! Mercer would be a contender year in and year out. :thumb:

From my understanding, French was hired at Mercer as an assistant coach under John Buchanan. Buchanan went to Mercer from Boyle Co. Sometime in late 80's French hired David Buchanan (former player) as an assistant. So, at one time you had French, Chuck Smith and David Buchanan on the same coaching staff at Mercer. Can you imagine if those 3 were together at Mercer now?! Mercer would be a contender year in and year out. :thumb:

 

Daggone!!! Talk about a Hall of Fame coaching staff! Simply AWESOME.

I bet French does everything to get his kids to the next level.The coach at Mercer holds leters and even tells kids he has letter from schools.He tells them they have to prove to him they are college player. If the college does not hear from you they think you're not interested.:fire:

Enough of the personal shots.