There have been plenty of instances in both boys and girls basketball, football, and a variety of different sports that coaches will end up retiring, or quitting, when a star player, who comes along once every decade or so, graduates.

 

I've seen this in instances where the coach had been at the school for twenty years and when the coach had been there four or so years.

 

I tend to think high school basketball, and sports at the k-12 level, should be strictly about the players and the success that they gain. But when I see a football coach retire after his best and most athletic player graduates, or see a girls basketball coach call it quits once his essential 2-time region player of the year graduates, I look at the coach as being selfish and riding on the player to garner success and attention.

 

A coach in the 12th region retired in this decade after his star player, and a surrounding cast of seniors were graduating and the future didn't look nearly as bright because no attention or coaching seemed to be translated to the younger players. I also so a coach in the region call it quits after his star football player was set to graduate, just coaching for the four years the player was in high school.

 

How do you feel about this?

No one has feelings about this?

I don't ever recall this happening in my area. I can't think of any coach in NKY who has ever retired for that reason. Maybe for other reasons. But not that specific reason. Think you might be over thinking this one.

Its their right to do it as long or as short as they want.

I don't ever recall this happening in my area. I can't think of any coach in NKY who has ever retired for that reason. Maybe for other reasons. But not that specific reason. Think you might be over thinking this one.

 

Perhaps they have other reasons, but in this area, at one particular school, it has happened twice. Strange coincidence? I don't think so.

 

I don't think I am over thinking it. Maybe it's their way of "going out on top."

I don't ever recall this happening in my area. I can't think of any coach in NKY who has ever retired for that reason. Maybe for other reasons. But not that specific reason. Think you might be over thinking this one.

Ron Dawn of NCC did it when his son Ronnie graduated and went to play at Marshall , but has un-retired and now coaches the girls at NCC . He retired so he could watch Ronnie play .

There would be a lot more I would have to know about the situation before I could make a valid judgement.

 

If he "retired" and never coached again, I really could not question that.

 

If he "retired" and then tried to get another job, I might have some thoughts on that, that would include gutless, and self-doubting.

 

Sometimes coaches mask the fact that they are very limited in their abilities with better talant that sometimes comes through the system. I know of a coach who was on the ropes and was able to keep his job (by the skin of his teeth) and won for a couple of years, the future can only tell what this "coach" will do.

Elliott County's coach did the exact thing this past year. It makes you feel like the coach was only there to begin with because of a select few athletes/players and not for everyone like they should be.

Elliott County's coach did the exact thing this past year. It makes you feel like the coach was only there to begin with because of a select few athletes/players and not for everyone like they should be.

 

I was thinking of that one too, but didn't want to point it out and get bashed.

 

That's not the ones I were referring too, but that is one that I thought was strange.

Its their right to do it as long or as short as they want.

 

I agree. Some also may have been wanting to retire or move on for awhile, or waiting for the right job to become available, or just the right time (for them) to leave.

I agree. Some also may have been wanting to retire or move on for awhile, or waiting for the right job to become available, or just the right time (for them) to leave.

 

But is the game about the coaches, or about the players, at the high school level?

That's why you have to respect Willie Schlarman's decision last season. He had a "potential" 9th region contender and good returning talent, but left on his terms for his family.

 

However, this probably happens a decent number of times, but if the coach is retiring on his own terms why wouldn't he want to go out on top. Good classes come every couple of years at most schools. Retiring on a good note, star player or not, should not be frowned upon.

But is the game about the coaches, or about the players, at the high school level?

 

As stated, the coach has the right to leave when he see's fit, not what others think he should do. If a coach leaves before a star player or strong class graduates, then people would be saying the coach should have stayed, that the team would have REALLY done well if he didn't leave, that he was being selfish for leaving and not staying and keeping stability. It's a no-win situation for the coach, he should leave when he is ready.

 

I know a lot of people were concerned when the coach at West Jessamine left last year, while he had a strong team coming back. They were really concerned, "who will we get now?" and "what will this good team do with a new coach?" As it usually does take time to get used to a new coach and system.

As stated, the coach has the right to leave when he see's fit, not what others think he should do. If a coach leaves before a star player or strong class graduates, then people would be saying the coach should have stayed, that the team would have REALLY done well if he didn't leave, that he was being selfish for leaving and not staying and keeping stability. It's a no-win situation for the coach, he should leave when he is ready.

 

I know a lot of people were concerned when the coach at West Jessamine left last year, while he had a strong team coming back. They were really concerned, "who will we get now?" and "what will this good team do with a new coach?" As it usually does take time to get used to a new coach and system.

 

I've never heard that before. People may question why the coach left a good opportunity, like you mention with the West Jessamine coach, but I would never imagine someone calling them selfish. Why is selfish about leaving a program in great shape?

 

Likewise, if that class had just graduated the future wasn't bright and a coach resigns or retires and leaves the mess for someone else, I see that as selfish. Riding the backs of the talented class and leaving the tough work for someone else.

 

I think it's different as the age progresses. As it progresses to college coaches and then to NBA coaches, I think it's more of a self-satisfaction for becoming successful rather than being happy for the players or preparing them for the future.

Why is selfish about leaving a program in great shape?

I have heard it before. Usually there is a transition between coaches, you have a star or a good team coming back, it would be easier for them to reach their potential with the same coach they came up with.

 

Riding the backs of the talented class and leaving the tough work for someone else.

Some would say that the talented class was talented at least in part because of the coach. He was just helping to guide them, not riding on their backs. :thumb:

 

It just worked out for a team like West Jessamine, but that is not always the case.