I think he was 25 and Head Coach of the largest public school in the state at the time. He was HC for 4 years and an assistant there for a while also.

 

I played for him when he was an assistant and the head track coach. One of my favorite coaches ever! I remember my dad being upset when they brought in Charlie Bell. He thought that Tom would be a great head coach if they gave him time. Rockcastle sure reaped the benefits from Laurel County's mistake! :thumb:

 

I remember Chris riding on the bus with us to track meets and now he is the head coach at North Laurel. My oh my do I feel old now!!!

 

I think this next season in Laurel County could be very exciting. Both Welch and Larkey have their hands full, but I know they will work their tails off to turn those programs around.

Basketball will always be king in Laurel County. Until football gets as much respect in that county the football programs there will always be mediocre at best.

Edited May 20, 200917 yr by Ram
Rule 13

Every year at South Laurel on average there will be 40 or more kids try out for basketball. The basketball team keeps how many? 13 to 15 tops give or take a few, the other 20 to 25 kids go home and practice basketball for next years tryouts instead of playing football where everyone makes the team. Most of these kids could be good high school football players with the opportunity to play. That's not even getting into the ones who play basketball who could compete for a scholarship in football but may have no chance in receiving any looks in basketball due to size and or talent.

Every year at South Laurel on average there will be 40 or more kids try out for basketball. The basketball team keeps how many? 13 to 15 tops give or take a few, the other 20 to 25 kids go home and practice basketball for next years tryouts instead of playing football where everyone makes the team. Most of these kids could be good high school football players with the opportunity to play. That's not even getting into the ones who play basketball who could compete for a scholarship in football but may have no chance in receiving any looks in basketball due to size and or talent.

 

That hits the nail on the head at a lot of schools.

Every year at South Laurel on average there will be 40 or more kids try out for basketball. The basketball team keeps how many? 13 to 15 tops give or take a few, the other 20 to 25 kids go home and practice basketball for next years tryouts instead of playing football where everyone makes the team. Most of these kids could be good high school football players with the opportunity to play. That's not even getting into the ones who play basketball who could compete for a scholarship in football but may have no chance in receiving any looks in basketball due to size and or talent.

 

Very true. That's part of what a head coach has to do...change the culture so that you can get as many kids to come out as possible.

Very true. That's part of what a head coach has to do...change the culture so that you can get as many kids to come out as possible.

 

Actually, when Jep Irwin left, South Laurel was averaging around 70-90 kids playing football at the high school. They were winning and beginning to turn the corner. The numbers are down now (probably around 50 if I was guessing) and I hope that Coach Welch can turn that around. This past season was the first time I have ever seen North have more kids playing football than South. Larry will recruit the halls at South Laurel as he should. I also hope that he gets the cooperation of other coaches who could possibly advise kids not to play football and only focus on the sport they happen to coach. Not naming any coaches or sports, but this will hurt an athletic program overall. I say let the kids play whatever they want to play. How long will they be kids and have those opportunities? They only get 4 years of high school, let them enjoy it and get the full experience! Even LeBron played HS football and to say he was an exceptional basketball talent is an understatement.

They had two winning seasons under Harville, and Mills went 5-6 during his only year before Welch took over.

 

I have the history of all of North's games (all of the information is at home) and South's and almost all of Laurel County's.

 

Harville had some big wins and during his first season, North started 0-6, but won their last four games, including beating the district champion, too.

I also have all of the stats on the North/South series, including play by play for each games and when Harville and Mills were coaching against South, there were some doozie of some games. Brian "Bull" Durham was a stud.

I also have all of the stats on the North/South series, including play by play for each games and when Harville and Mills were coaching against South, there were some doozie of some games. Brian "Bull" Durham was a stud.

 

Durham was there before Welch was the head coach wasn't he? I believe that he is still the school record holder for career yards & #2 (behind Blair) for career TDs. I wish he could have gotten a better shake at EKU and been more patient until his time came. He was tough.

I think Larry will do a fine job. I know that we will have to be ready when we play South Laurel.

I was impressed when I read the article and the quotes from Coach Welch. He said that he wasn't going to apply for the head coaching job, but when he saw how hard the kids were working in the weight room, he wanted to throw his hat in the ring. That is what I like to hear, ... a coach that sees the kids giving the effort and wants to help lead them to success. With that attititude and it being about the kids, ... I think Larry could do a very good job at South Laurel.