South's assistants must really be taking the bull by the horns right now as they are having their spring game on Friday, 4-10-09.

Ah Jim, ... since you left the area a few years ago, some things have actually changed quite a bit.

 

I can't discuss with factual information why Coach Wright was chosen for that position, ... however, I do know that the school board has turned over a few members in the past few years. :sssh: The new members are VERY football friendly (both have supported various sports at both high schools due to their children and/or grandchildren playing football, soccer, softball, etc at those schools) . The well known leanings of certain school board members left with those members (really, one in particular).

 

Also, the overall county AD is Randy Leger who not only played football at Laurel County but was the former South Laurel football coach. If anyone wants football to succeed in Laurel County, it is Randy. However, his powers may be limited in these instances as they really don't have the open positions in the county.

 

I do agree with Blockbuster that the school system for years only gave lip service to really supporting football at either school. However, I truly believe that this has changed, .... the problem is that their support can only go so far. Folks outside of Laurel County can think what they like, but the fact it that the teaching openings just aren't there right now. And with former coaches still teaching, those positions are fewer and further between. Also, given the state of the economy, some teachers are holding off on retirement until a later date.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

 

You know I'm here for you man!!! :thumb:

 

Also I have learned that there are some teachers they expect to retire, but they have not turned in their papers yet. Hopefully, if those folks are ready to retire, this could open up some more teaching positions, but it could be a little late to have those positions for coaches.

 

The glitch in that logic is that these positions are not up to the superintendent or overall athletic department to fill, but those decisions are made by the site based decision making councils for each school in conjunction with the principal. The superintendent can make recommendations, but doesn't have the final say in the matter. This means that IF a job opened up at a elementary or middle school that fed one high school and the other high school had the need for an opening to hire a potential coach, ... the prinicipal and SBDMC could possibly go with another candidate not wanting to help out the other high school's athletic program by hiring that coach/teacher to teach at their school. That is where part of the problem is in this county, .... it is North versus South and NOT about all the kids to several people here. The adults can be the problem in these situations as generally, the kids get along fine.

What does South have coming back. How was there numbers?

You know I'm here for you man!!! :thumb:

 

:thumb: :thumb:

 

Also I have learned that there are some teachers they expect to retire, but they have not turned in their papers yet. Hopefully, if those folks are ready to retire, this could open up some more teaching positions, but it could be a little late to have those positions for coaches.

 

The glitch in that logic is that these positions are not up to the superintendent or overall athletic department to fill, but those decisions are made by the site based decision making councils for each school in conjunction with the principal. The superintendent can make recommendations, but doesn't have the final say in the matter. This means that IF a job opened up at a elementary or middle school that fed one high school and the other high school had the need for an opening to hire a potential coach, ... the prinicipal and SBDMC could possibly go with another candidate not wanting to help out the other high school's athletic program by hiring that coach/teacher to teach at their school. That is where part of the problem is in this county, .... it is North versus South and NOT about all the kids to several people here. The adults can be the problem in these situations as generally, the kids get along fine.

 

You know I love a good rivalry, but the caustic atmosphere the adults create with the North v. South one is over the top, IMO. And, of course, kids learn by watching what adults do. I wonder if it was that bad when it was Bush, Lily, London and Hazel Green?

:thumb: :thumb:

 

You know I love a good rivalry, but the caustic atmosphere the adults create with the North v. South one is over the top, IMO. And, of course, kids learn by watching what adults do. I wonder if it was that bad when it was Bush, Lily, London and Hazel Green?

 

From what I am told (as I was only 5 years old when those 4 schools consolidated into Laurel County High in 1970), it was a good healthy rivalry, but nothing as bad as the North v South issues. You are right, a few of the adults are the problem more than the kids.

 

I heard an interesting comment from a school administrator recently. He was at a conference and one of the things that stuck out to him was the county's with only 2 schools often have more rivalry problems at many levels beyond athletics than those with 3 or more. The comment was 'My advice to you counties with 2 high schools, ... either add a 3rd school or consolidate into one school and you will lessen many of the problems you have'.

 

I will say this, I am starting to see some movement towards fewer hard feelings as newer parents come into the high school system with their kids and don't have the same animosity towards the other side. I see more and more parents from both sides talking and cutting up after balls games than I have seen in quite some time. Also, the new makeup of the school board seems to have a whole county approach and are visiting all the schools to see what the needs are, not just the one's in their district. They seem to be working together instead of against each other and for the betterment of all the kids instead of just those from their side of the county. I had a friend of mine who has had 2 kids to play football at South tell me today that he actually sees a school board that seems to really want to make things better and get rid of this whole North v South issue as best they can. I am encouraged, but we will have to see how it goes over the next few years.

 

Back to the South job, ... I wish I could go to the spring scrimmage on Friday night at South. I would like to see how Coach Welch and Coach Hays have worked with this team which will be in transition after losing Bowling & several other playmakers as well as their head coach leaving. Should be fun to watch!! I understand that both Welch and Hays have applied for the head job. They both are good guys and I truly believe that if one of them got it, they could still work together. :thumb:

Anythign new on this job? Looks like South Laurel, Harrison, and Trimble are the only jobs left open?

Anythign new on this job? Looks like South Laurel, Harrison, and Trimble are the only jobs left open?

 

No news yet. However, I should be seeing some of the administration with the school system tonight and plan on asking what the progress is so far. Probably won't have any new information, but it never hurts to ask.

Maybe somebody will be hired before school lets out.

At least before the first game, anyway? Maybe?

It would help to have a coach hired by the first game!

It would help to have a coach hired by the first game!

 

Haha, I hope they get one by the time they play Corbin!:thumb:

Any news or rumors????

Still no news yet. They are keeping it pretty tight lipped right now.

I heard that they were putting interviews off for another week. I don't know when the decision was made to delay but that came to me about Thursday of last week.