I like to see turnarounds, especially those accomplished against solid competition.

 

Here's my top 5 (not in any order):

 

Don Miller at Western Hills. Has almost 100% the same starters as the team that went 1-9 last year...they're 5-3 this year and have been competitive with a pretty solid schedule, including wins over 4A Franklin County and 5A Grant County. Has the opportunity to impress even more if they can come up with a quality upset win or two in their final two games against 6A Lafayette and 5A Anderson County.

 

Billy Martin, North Oldham - probably deserved the award last year, when he turned the team around from 0-10 in 2006 to 8-4 in 2007. But still deserving of kudos as he has kept the upward movement going; North is 8-0 going into this week's game with Bullitt Central. The next win will make this team the school's winningest team ever (OK, OK, the school's only been open since 2003...)

 

Matt Brown, Oldham County - The Colonels have won 5 straight and are 6-2 in Brown's first year at the school. Only losses to two ranked 6A teams (St. X and Madison Central). Beat 6A ranked Scott County. The Colonels hadn't had a winning record in at least three or four years prior to Matt's arrival.

 

Jim Black, Whitley County - 1-9 in 2007; 7-1 this year. 'nuff said. Wow.

 

Eric Graves, Adair County - This team went 0-10 in 2007, Eric Graves arrived as head coach this year... they lost their first three, but to powers Monroe Co., Butler County, and Russellville...they've won 3 of 4 since, and should have a good chance to win their last two to finish 5-4...

Coach Dale Mueller - Highlands

Kentucky's Finest!

Dudley Hilton and Phillip Haywood both have undefeated teams. But neither team has played a tough schedule. That being said these are 2 of the best in the state easily.

Mike Jones- Estill Co.

Black- Whitley

Mills- Knox Central

McWhorter-Berea

Randy Vanderhoof-Raceland

Randy Vanderhoof-Raceland

 

 

:thumb::thumb: He would get my vote as well.

Randy Vanderhoof-Raceland

I didn't want to sound like a homer, but since you brought it up. Vanderhoof is a great coach and deserving of any award he may win. He would be the first to tell you that he has a great supporting cast and the award would be a reflection of a great coaching staff not just him personally.

 

18 District Championships, he has been there or most, if not all of them, as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

 

Several Regional Runner ups.

 

Numerous playoff appearances.

 

Several playoff wins.

 

Alot of player who went on to play football at the collegiate level. With more coming after this year.

 

A great man, great role model, great leader, humble, great teacher of the game as well as life.

 

He's always coach of the year in my book, no matter who gets the trophy.

Black- Whitley Co

Jones- Estill Co.

McWhorter-Berea

French - Boyle Co

Jewell - Corbin

 

These teams have been the biggest surprises to me this season and would get my vote. I would probably go with Black #1 as he adjusted his style to fit what his players have done since middle school, ... run the football effectively, and Whitley has been on a roll.

Wayne MILLS KCHS

 

Five years ago Wayne Mills took over a Knox Central team that had been 0-10 the season before and outscored 436-46. This was a dismal low even for a program that had never won more than seven games in season and has only had 5 winning seasons in the past 40 years. In only five years and competing in what is widely considered the toughest district in this end of the state, he has advanced the program to the point where each additional win this season will be milestone. With a 6-2 record this team already ranks among the top 5 or 6 Panther teams of all time. His next win will put them into the top three, the one after that becomes the winningest of all time. KC will host a first round playoff game and a win would be their first ever.

 

This could very well be the finest season ever for Knox Central and Wayne certainly deserves the lion's share of the credit along with the administration and fans that support him.

Vanderhoof- Raceland. Year in and year out he's in the mix.

Ed Smart-Grayson County-runner up in District first time in a long time. wins even when they shouldn't. Winning seasons in a very tough district and tough place to win.

I think French may be the best all-around coach in the state.

I would put votes in for Jones at Estill County, Vanderhoof at Raceland, McWhorter at Berea, and their names escape me right now but I think the coaches at Fairview and Ashland deserve mention. Ashland won 2 games last year, and Fairview is an up and coming program that used to be everyone's homecoming game.

I would put votes in for Jones at Estill County, Vanderhoof at Raceland, McWhorter at Berea, and their names escape me right now but I think the coaches at Fairview and Ashland deserve mention. Ashland won 2 games last year, and Fairview is an up and coming program that used to be everyone's homecoming game.

Fairview - Nathan McPeek

Ashland - Leon Hart

Boone County's (6a) Rick Thompson should be considered at this point. Having lost several key players from last years squad and what people thought would be a down year at Boone this year. His team has come together to win the district hands down. Thus far his team is ranked 3 in the State in 6a. We will see how the teams produce in the playoffs? :cool