Although I agree with many of the comments posted on here that what happened here was probably more of a tragic accident rather than anything approaching criminal, the trial gave a snapshot into into the ugly side of a high school coach.

 

Any coach that is stupid enough to utter the phrase, "we are going to run until someone quits", really has no business working with young people in any capacity.

 

 

 

Football is a rough sport, every one knows that. Kids have to be in condition to play to the best of their abilities and to protect themselves against injury. Every one knows that too. But there is a smart and a dumb way to get kids into peak physical condition. It's not smart to rush conditioning, which is why coaches and kids should be spending more time during the winter and spring on conditioning and not just weight lifting. Waiting until the summer and then trying to cram conditioning in, isn't smart and is dangerous. Furthermore, bigger and heavier kids should be brought along more slowly than others in the conditioning drills. So should kids on medication. Coaches have to make a great effort to know what kids are on what medications and must know (by checking with the team physician or the kids' physicians) what the side effects of those medications are and adjust conditioning accordingly.

 

Coaches should actually encourage kids to take breaks when needed and should not in their actions or words try to intimidate kids into doing more than they are capable of doing. Yes there will be some kids that loaf and come up with excuses why they need a break. If that happens, so be it. We are talking about high school sports, not preparing Marines to go to war. If teams lose games because some kids goofed off and made up excuses in conditioning, then that's just too bad. I like winning games and state championships with the best of them, but I'd rather have the losses than kids getting hurt because a coach felt he had to really push the kids to get in shape to win games. The coaches should develop an environment that kids are not afraid to tell their coaches that they aren't feeling well and need to miss practice or conditioning drills.

 

Finally, I'm not in any way stating or implying that Coach Stinson did any of the above things that I don't think coaches should do or didn't do any of the above things that I think coaches should do. I am in no position to make those types of judgments.

Edited September 19, 200917 yr by rockmom
fixed quote

As everyone on here knows - and is involved with Football in any capacity - It has it's very own culture, practices, mystique and nomenclature. Maybe one of the reasons's that the parents attending that practice were not particularly concerned - while the "soccer folks" one field away were.

 

WE can debate all day about whether criminal prosecution was warranted or not - but that ship has sailed. The elected Prosecutor decided to so pursue -and he is answerable to the electorate. By the Trial Judge denying a Motion for a Directed VErdict at the end of the Commonwealth's case - she opined and ruled there "was sufficient question of fact to submit the case to the jury - and legally the Commonwealth had met its burden of proof in terms of meeting the elements of the offense(s)."

 

So emotions aside - it is not totally clear cut to state the prosecution "was totally unwarranted and a witch hunt." Don't get me wrong - I am in no way defending the prosecution. I am simply stating that one thing about the law is that there is no "black and white" - only shades of gray.

 

There were no winners as many have said. One family lost a son. The Coach probably lost his profession and his life will never be the same. So sad all the way around.

 

Good post!!!! And you make a good point regarding the judge's comments. I still think the prosecutor erred in taking this to court, but I concede that - in the legal realm - you can justify a lot of things being sent to a jury.

This whole situation is very sad. Feel for this young man's family and friends but I am glad they found Coach Stinson not guilty.

I'm very happy for Coach Stinson, and I'm still very sad for the parents who still have lost their son. Part of the grieving process is anger, and part of me thinks that the prosecutor aided them in pursuing the anger stage. I'm not a fan of the prosecutor in this instance.

 

But, too many things were askew, in my mind, to find him guilty. The prosecution, IMO, deamonized Coach Stinson, and that's what their case was built upon, not facts. There was never an autopsy done, which is just mind boggling in my opinion. A seeminly healthy 15 year old dies, and no autopsy? I understand from the ME's point of view that he considered it an accident, and that's why he didn't order one. But I can't fathom the parents not insisting on one. I suppose it could be they just didn't think of it in the initial shock. But I'm just stuck on that question.

 

I believe that all coaches nationwide, and the very culture of football, was indictited along with Coach Stinson. And on the news last night, Max's mother stated that her intention with this suit was to bring about change, to not let Max's death be in vain [sic]. I can certainly understand her desire, but a criminal suit? That was just...well....not right, IMO.

 

Sup. Berman stated last night that JCPS will be working with Coach Stinson to help him find employment within the JCPS system. I understand he's been doing work that doesn't involve kids through this. I hope that if he decides to return to teaching, that there's a school out there for him. I don't know him, but if it were me, I don't think I'd return to coaching. Not because I did anything wrong, but because in my mind, I'd have the fear that someone else would accuse me of doing something wrong, and that's all it takes in the public's eye these days.

 

Even though he was found not guilty by the jury of criminal charges, even if there's never a civil suit, there are plenty of people in the area who are angry, and feel that the verdict is wrong. Coach Stinson, despite being cleared, faces a very long and tough road in his future. As much as I feel the pain of Max's family, I feel Coach's pain as well.

 

One thing I hope kids get out of this is that creatine is dangerous. I talked to my son about this and he was stunned that this 15 year old was taking creatine. He said that the amount of water you have to drink to offset the dehydrating effects of it are about 3x normal. I'm not sure that any kid who is taking creatine, going to school, participating in sports even has the time to get that much water into them, especially playing a sport like football.

 

That's just my 2cents. This has been a heartwrenching case to see play out. I'm glad it's over, and I hope that all parties can move forward and begin healing and growing.

 

Great post RM. While I agree with a lot of what you stated, I'm not sure that the Mom could have stopped the criminal trial (it's really not a suit) even if she wanted to. If a prosecutor determines that a crime has been committed, he can and should prosecute the crime even if the victim of the crime doesn't want him to. Prosecutors will sometimes take the victim's feelings in mind on sentencing and plea bargain decisions, but if he feels a crime has been committed he should prosecute the crime.

If we could only turn back the "Hands of Time". Mistakes were made by all the parties involved and I Pray that Max's family can find an inner peace.

 

Also that Coach Stinson and his family can find the same peace and understanding.

 

And we all learn from the tragic situation. I have a 12 year old son who plays sports...and my heart has been broken over this whole ordeal.

Sorry for the families loss, and for the loss of such a young life. The decision of the jury was the correct one. We as coaches love our players, they become like our own kids or family members. In fact I have much more interaction with my players than I do most of my extended family. Coach Stinson is grieving as much as anyone over this boys untimely death.

I was glad to see the jury come back with not guilty. I hope Coach Stinson and move on from this although I am sure he will never forget. I have seen first hand what this can do to the coaches. I feel for all involved and wish it hadn't come to this.

 

As far as him coaching again, I can't imagine he will in KY. If it were me and I wanted to pursue another coaching position I would move else where.

At least he HAS a "rest of his life...."

Yes he does, and I doubt many would trade with him. I wish we had a number on the lives that are "saved", literally and figuratively thanks to the dedication of head coaches of all sports everywhere. Thanks to them putting their time into giving these kids a purpose and an opportunity to experience what it's like to do something hard, accomplish something great and be a part of a team. I applaud head coaches that stick their neck out because they are drawn to this calling. They are an easy target when something goes wrong. I agree there are some bad apples. The U.S. court system says this guy is not one of them.

I feel sadness of the family, and relief for the coach.

 

I just hope that schools use this tragedy to emphasize to coaches, players, parents, trainers, etc the dangers that exist.

Although I agree with many of the comments posted on here that what happened here was probably more of a tragic accident rather than anything approaching criminal, the trial gave a snapshot into into the ugly side of a high school coach.

 

Any coach that is stupid enough to utter the phrase, "we are going to run until someone quits", really has no business working with young people in any capacity.

 

 

But didn't players testify that they only ran a few more windsprints than normal that day? While I don't like the comment, I have heard plenty of comments that were MUCH harsher from coaches.

 

I think we MUST find a way to educate our kids about the dangers of certain substances. Most teenagers think they are 10' tall and bulletproof, but need to understand the dangers and potential consequences. Hopefully, the tragic loss of this young man will draw attention to this issue for players, parents, coaches, administrators and trainers.

Although I agree with many of the comments posted on here that what happened here was probably more of a tragic accident rather than anything approaching criminal, the trial gave a snapshot into into the ugly side of a high school coach.

 

Any coach that is stupid enough to utter the phrase, "we are going to run until someone quits", really has no business working with young people in any capacity.

 

 

 

Football is a rough sport, every one knows that. Kids have to be in condition to play to the best of their abilities and to protect themselves against injury. Every one knows that too. But there is a smart and a dumb way to get kids into peak physical condition. It's not smart to rush conditioning, which is why coaches and kids should be spending more time during the winter and spring on conditioning and not just weight lifting. Waiting until the summer and then trying to cram conditioning in, isn't smart and is dangerous. Furthermore, bigger and heavier kids should be brought along more slowly than others in the conditioning drills. So should kids on medication. Coaches have to make a great effort to know what kids are on what medications and must know (by checking with the team physician or the kids' physicians) what the side effects of those medications are and adjust conditioning accordingly.

 

Coaches should actually encourage kids to take breaks when needed and should not in their actions or words try to intimidate kids into doing more than they are capable of doing. Yes there will be some kids that loaf and come up with excuses why they need a break. If that happens, so be it. We are talking about high school sports, not preparing Marines to go to war. If teams lose games because some kids goofed off and made up excuses in conditioning, then that's just too bad. I like winning games and state championships with the best of them, but I'd rather have the losses than kids getting hurt because a coach felt he had to really push the kids to get in shape to win games. The coaches should develop an environment that kids are not afraid to tell their coaches that they aren't feeling well and need to miss practice or conditioning drills.

 

Finally, I'm not in any way stating or implying that Coach Stinson did any of the above things that I don't think coaches should do or didn't do any of the above things that I think coaches should do. I am in no position to make those types of judgments.

 

Well said.

 

Football is like anything else, if it is taught by people who have a passion for both the game and players it is a beautiful thing. However, in the hands of the wrong individuals it becomes very ugly very quickly.

Edited September 19, 200917 yr by rockmom

There are some great posts on this thread...especially those concerning whether or not this case belonged in the criminal court. I don't think the coach will fare as well in a civil action. When you have a dead plaintiff and a denial of water in the face of probable medical testimony that this was a contributing factor, I think there will be a finding of negligence., I do not anticpate some huge award. Just my opinion on the way things work.

For the most part kids who play football come away with more than football memories. Our coaches are role models. Take for instance our coach at Meade, he is a good christian man who not only trys to teach X & Os,but he also teaches how to be good men in our community and how to be successful in life after football and I thank him for that.

It takes a special breed to coach our kids, to get home after their kids have already been tucked in for the night. They give up so much more than just 3 hours on the field on Friday nights. Coach Stinson will carry this on his shoulder for the rest of his life, no persons besides the family members of Max feel as saddened as he. In life things are going to happen that we will not and cannot understand. We have just got to let go and know that God is in control. I pray for both families involved in this tragic event, I ask for healing for both families. I also thank all the coaches across the state, our boys will graduate as better men and role models because of football.

For the most part kids who play football come away with more than football memories. Our coaches are role models. Take for instance our coach at Meade, he is a good christian man who not only trys to teach X & Os,but he also teaches how to be good men in our community and how to be successful in life after football and I thank him for that.

It takes a special breed to coach our kids, to get home after their kids have already been tucked in for the night. They give up so much more than just 3 hours on the field on Friday nights. Coach Stinson will carry this on his shoulder for the rest of his life, no persons besides the family members of Max feel as saddened as he. In life things are going to happen that we will not and cannot understand. We have just got to let go and know that God is in control. I pray for both families involved in this tragic event, I ask for healing for both families. I also thank all the coaches across the state, our boys will graduate as better men and role models because of football.

 

I have a great deal of respect for Coach Mofield. But why is what I bolded the qualifier? For what it's worth, this was actually part of the bone of contention over how PRP handled this whole sorry situation.

For the most part kids who play football come away with more than football memories. Our coaches are role models. Take for instance our coach at Meade, he is a good christian man who not only trys to teach X & Os,but he also teaches how to be good men in our community and how to be successful in life after football and I thank him for that.

It takes a special breed to coach our kids, to get home after their kids have already been tucked in for the night. They give up so much more than just 3 hours on the field on Friday nights. Coach Stinson will carry this on his shoulder for the rest of his life, no persons besides the family members of Max feel as saddened as he. In life things are going to happen that we will not and cannot understand. We have just got to let go and know that God is in control. I pray for both families involved in this tragic event, I ask for healing for both families. I also thank all the coaches across the state, our boys will graduate as better men and role models because of football.

 

 

NICE POST JS -well said.