I agree, if he is the all time winningest coach with a record of 66 - 38, that is only 58% winning percentage. Not good enough.

 

66-38 would be a 63% winning percentage. Outside of the big three in Louisville, I would imagine that's close to the best over the last decade in Jefferson County.

There was a rumor about a "heated personal disagreement" between the coach and the Manual principal occuring late this season. I for one hate to see Coach Nichols fired, and am astounded at the unprofessional and petty manner utilized by supposedly professional people in removing him. He had done a lot to upgrade the Manual program.

 

Manual was a perennial doormat before Nichols arrival. He upgraded the program big time...no doubt.

Apparently the coaching staff knew this was coming ... very little suprise by one of the coach's spouse I talked to. Looks like they will be going with a "NAME" coach that all will be very familiar with. I do not know who the "NAME" cach is. But apparently that is the direction the principal wants for his school. :thumb:

 

The loss to Male may have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

The man says "we want to be on the same level as Rocks/X".

 

Never will happen Jefferson County only has so many good players.

This is a remarkable story. If there isn't a "story behind the story" that is a good reason for this firing, then this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. The principal's comments today in the C-J sounded like something a college AD might say, not the principal of a high school. Nichols was as successful as anyone outside of X & T in Jefferson County. He played brutal schedules and won more than his fair share.

 

Going to be hard to "upgrade" from where he has taken the program.

I agree. There has got to be more to this story. Good Coach, Good Man, wins games and you need to go another direction. I'm confused.

What about Scroggins or the Ballard's coach?

Neither of these fit the mold the principal appears to want. Scroggins record isn't very good against 6A competition and the Ballard coach's record isn't as good as Nichols over the past 9 years. It will be interesting as Nichols appeared to do a very good job at Manual.

Neither of these fit the mold the principal appears to want. Scroggins record isn't very good against 6A competition and the Ballard coach's record isn't as good as Nichols over the past 9 years. It will be interesting as Nichols appeared to do a very good job at Manual.

 

Hard to compare Scroggins record against 6A vs Nichols. Scroggins coaches a 3A team. I will say that Scroggins record at Doss was not impressive though.

Manual is the best job today in Jefferson County Public Schools. They draw kids from all over the county and they are even known as being the Free Catholic High School in Louisville. If they find a Coach like Coach J at Ballard that understands what T&X are doing to consistently build their programs, the skys the limit at Manual.

While I read the posts in this thread (as well as many others) about the amount of talent Manual gets in, this is just not the case. Manual's strict admissions DOES NOT allow for just anybody to get into the school. That being said, there are some very good players who are willing to take on the challenge (if accepted) to balance demanding academics with the demands of the football program. The 30 or so freshman each year who go on to complete their years as a football player usually ends up dropping 30% and end up a senior class of about 20 or so. These facts will always be a hurdle to clear in tying to compete with the "StXs and Trinitys" as stated. When an administration decides that they want to go in another direction, then that direction should include providing more support and resources for that program to improve. This means that some students might be accepted into the HSU or Visual Arts programs if unable to make it in the MST magnet. If and when this happens (and it has not happened in the past) Manual may have the talent everyone speaks of so knowingly! The Offensive Backs and Receivers will be a solid group next season as will the Defense. Both these groups were very young (alot of Sophomores) this year. Whoever decides to accept the challenge of Head Coach will, undoubtedly, have a task of meeting the approval of a Principal/Parent wielding the power stick. The next coach will have alot of tools to work with and should get credit for the "change of direction" when the 2010 squad goes deep into the playoffs, we all know Coach Nichols will not get any of that credit!

 

As is the case when parents get disgruntled about a coach or a program, it is because they are ONLY thinking of one particular individual. The coach and staff must always consider the team and program over individuals. Coach Nichols compromised the team's success early to give the Principal what he asked for, a chance for his son to "compete" for the position. Through Spring practices, Passing Leagues and Football Camp he was given that opportunity. This opportunity took away from an incoming Senior's opportunity to be better prepared because he took less than half the snaps. Obvious reason why the QB position improved later in the season. Yet by doing this, the coach is still chastised and berated (openly at times) by the Principal (and the Principal's wife). Now that is the level of support a Head Coach will surely be looking for in a job!

The man says "we want to be on the same level as Rocks/X".

 

Never will happen Jefferson County only has so many good players.

 

Never?

 

I only met Coach Nichols once at a Manual football fundraiser. He definately has/had a passion for Manual football.

 

I know he was liked by the players and the parents I knew. I had heard some rumblings about differences with the current principal and Coach Nichols.

 

I have seen many Manual games. They just could not win that one game that would put them over the top. Maybe the principle knows a coach who can get them to that next level.

While I read the posts in this thread (as well as many others) about the amount of talent Manual gets in, this is just not the case. Manual's strict admissions DOES NOT allow for just anybody to get into the school. That being said, there are some very good players who are willing to take on the challenge (if accepted) to balance demanding academics with the demands of the football program. The 30 or so freshman each year who go on to complete their years as a football player usually ends up dropping 30% and end up a senior class of about 20 or so. These facts will always be a hurdle to clear in tying to compete with the "StXs and Trinitys" as stated. When an administration decides that they want to go in another direction, then that direction should include providing more support and resources for that program to improve. This means that some students might be accepted into the HSU or Visual Arts programs if unable to make it in the MST magnet. If and when this happens (and it has not happened in the past) Manual may have the talent everyone speaks of so knowingly! The Offensive Backs and Receivers will be a solid group next season as will the Defense. Both these groups were very young (alot of Sophomores) this year. Whoever decides to accept the challenge of Head Coach will, undoubtedly, have a task of meeting the approval of a Principal/Parent wielding the power stick. The next coach will have alot of tools to work with and should get credit for the "change of direction" when the 2010 squad goes deep into the playoffs, we all know Coach Nichols will not get any of that credit!

 

As is the case when parents get disgruntled about a coach or a program, it is because they are ONLY thinking of one particular individual. The coach and staff must always consider the team and program over individuals. Coach Nichols compromised the team's success early to give the Principal what he asked for, a chance for his son to "compete" for the position. Through Spring practices, Passing Leagues and Football Camp he was given that opportunity. This opportunity took away from an incoming Senior's opportunity to be better prepared because he took less than half the snaps. Obvious reason why the QB position improved later in the season. Yet by doing this, the coach is still chastised and berated (openly at times) by the Principal (and the Principal's wife). Now that is the level of support a Head Coach will surely be looking for in a job!

 

That's why I commented about not being a surprise to coach Nichols... I think he had a good inclination about his term. Any idea on the rest of the staff? Will they be staying or is it an entire house sweep?

 

I hope all turns out OK for Manual... especially the educationally gifted athletes and the dedicated coaching staff.

While I read the posts in this thread (as well as many others) about the amount of talent Manual gets in, this is just not the case. Manual's strict admissions DOES NOT allow for just anybody to get into the school. That being said, there are some very good players who are willing to take on the challenge (if accepted) to balance demanding academics with the demands of the football program. The 30 or so freshman each year who go on to complete their years as a football player usually ends up dropping 30% and end up a senior class of about 20 or so. These facts will always be a hurdle to clear in tying to compete with the "StXs and Trinitys" as stated. When an administration decides that they want to go in another direction, then that direction should include providing more support and resources for that program to improve. This means that some students might be accepted into the HSU or Visual Arts programs if unable to make it in the MST magnet. If and when this happens (and it has not happened in the past) Manual may have the talent everyone speaks of so knowingly! The Offensive Backs and Receivers will be a solid group next season as will the Defense. Both these groups were very young (alot of Sophomores) this year. Whoever decides to accept the challenge of Head Coach will, undoubtedly, have a task of meeting the approval of a Principal/Parent wielding the power stick. The next coach will have alot of tools to work with and should get credit for the "change of direction" when the 2010 squad goes deep into the playoffs, we all know Coach Nichols will not get any of that credit!

 

As is the case when parents get disgruntled about a coach or a program, it is because they are ONLY thinking of one particular individual. The coach and staff must always consider the team and program over individuals. Coach Nichols compromised the team's success early to give the Principal what he asked for, a chance for his son to "compete" for the position. Through Spring practices, Passing Leagues and Football Camp he was given that opportunity. This opportunity took away from an incoming Senior's opportunity to be better prepared because he took less than half the snaps. Obvious reason why the QB position improved later in the season. Yet by doing this, the coach is still chastised and berated (openly at times) by the Principal (and the Principal's wife). Now that is the level of support a Head Coach will surely be looking for in a job!

 

Wow. If that was the case...hmmm....

 

Not sure if he would even take the job, but Coach Jackson at Ballard has done well in the upper class. Remember, before coaching at Ballard - and Pikeville before that - he coached at Oldham County. While Oldham wasn't always in the largest class during Jackson's term at OC, the Colonels were frequent fliers in the top 10 while he was there, beating Ballard, Manual, and others. And this year's Ballard team competed pretty well despite struggling on the O-line.

While I read the posts in this thread (as well as many others) about the amount of talent Manual gets in, this is just not the case. Manual's strict admissions DOES NOT allow for just anybody to get into the school. That being said, there are some very good players who are willing to take on the challenge (if accepted) to balance demanding academics with the demands of the football program. The 30 or so freshman each year who go on to complete their years as a football player usually ends up dropping 30% and end up a senior class of about 20 or so. These facts will always be a hurdle to clear in tying to compete with the "StXs and Trinitys" as stated. When an administration decides that they want to go in another direction, then that direction should include providing more support and resources for that program to improve. This means that some students might be accepted into the HSU or Visual Arts programs if unable to make it in the MST magnet. If and when this happens (and it has not happened in the past) Manual may have the talent everyone speaks of so knowingly! The Offensive Backs and Receivers will be a solid group next season as will the Defense. Both these groups were very young (alot of Sophomores) this year. Whoever decides to accept the challenge of Head Coach will, undoubtedly, have a task of meeting the approval of a Principal/Parent wielding the power stick. The next coach will have alot of tools to work with and should get credit for the "change of direction" when the 2010 squad goes deep into the playoffs, we all know Coach Nichols will not get any of that credit!

 

As is the case when parents get disgruntled about a coach or a program, it is because they are ONLY thinking of one particular individual. The coach and staff must always consider the team and program over individuals. Coach Nichols compromised the team's success early to give the Principal what he asked for, a chance for his son to "compete" for the position. Through Spring practices, Passing Leagues and Football Camp he was given that opportunity. This opportunity took away from an incoming Senior's opportunity to be better prepared because he took less than half the snaps. Obvious reason why the QB position improved later in the season. Yet by doing this, the coach is still chastised and berated (openly at times) by the Principal (and the Principal's wife). Now that is the level of support a Head Coach will surely be looking for in a job!

So you are saying he ultimately lost his job because he yanked the Prinicpals kid? Wow, I've heard it all now. That's a sad sad situation.

Anyone know what the Manual Schedule looks like next year? Can't imagine it is as challenging as this past season but I know my Cardinals are slated to take their first ever trip to Louisville in week 3 to take on Manual.

 

Hope the new coach, whoever he is, doesn't get cold feet and try to pull out of the contract. :eek::scared:

 

-CardinalsFan