This could very well be the case, but you could also argue without Duffy coming in, Highlands may not be the program it is today. He came in when the Birds had the longest stretch without a state championship, took a team in his second year which was widely considered one of the thinnest classes in talent, and won state with 35 players and a line that averaged about 170 pounds on both sides of the ball. Then followed it up with another state title with obviously a little more talent. I agree, Duffy was not a good fit for Fort Thomas because he didn't care what anybody thought (players, teachers, parents, or administrative), but he did get the job done and brought winning back to Fort Thomas after the "dark years."

He did come in at a time when the program was a little thin. But what he did for the health of the program could never be considered a good thing. His methods and manor were too extreme for a healthy high school football program. It's actually more complicated than that, but that's the biggest part of it. Dale grew up in the Ft. Thomas program, and knows what it takes to win...and to succeed here.

He did come in at a time when the program was a little thin. But what he did for the health of the program could never be considered a good thing. His methods and manor were too extreme for a healthy high school football program. It's actually more complicated than that, but that's the biggest part of it. Dale grew up in the Ft. Thomas program, and knows what it takes to win...and to succeed here.

 

I believe his methods rubbed people the wrong way in Fort Thomas. Danville was and still is a healthy football program and I believe Sam Harp has the same personality as Duffy. Duffy has always been loved in Danville. There are a lot of politics in Fort Thomas with everything including football. A lot like Kentucky basketball, it takes a special personality to lead the program. Duffy was a great coach and turned the program around with what he had. It didn't matter to him what your last name was, he played whoever he thought was going to help the team win. Everyone on his teams were there because they wanted to be there and they worked their tail off. I will always have respect for Coach Duffy, but I agree Coach Mueller is better for the program. I may not agree with everything he does, but you can not argue with the success. He played at Highlands so he knew what was expected. And he plays the part of politician as good as anyone.

 

BTW, Highlands will have the biggest, fastest team you have ever seen this year.

I will mail the program, free of charge, to the first BGP member who PMs me. It does have a "9" on the cover in either sharpie or magic marker (the original asking price was 9 cents), but otherwise is in decent shape.

I believe his methods rubbed people the wrong way in Fort Thomas. Danville was and still is a healthy football program and I believe Sam Harp has the same personality as Duffy. Duffy has always been loved in Danville. There are a lot of politics in Fort Thomas with everything including football. A lot like Kentucky basketball, it takes a special personality to lead the program. Duffy was a great coach and turned the program around with what he had. It didn't matter to him what your last name was, he played whoever he thought was going to help the team win. Everyone on his teams were there because they wanted to be there and they worked their tail off. I will always have respect for Coach Duffy, but I agree Coach Mueller is better for the program. I may not agree with everything he does, but you can not argue with the success. He played at Highlands so he knew what was expected. And he plays the part of politician as good as anyone.

 

BTW, Highlands will have the biggest, fastest team you have ever seen this year.

 

I have very little respect for Duffy, however, he did know how to win and would work it however he could.

Duffy was a great coach and turned the program around with what he had. It didn't matter to him what your last name was, he played whoever he thought was going to help the team win.

The program has never needed turning around. To suggest that any other coach we've had here, ccoached only on the basis of "names" is not factual. We will have to disagree on these points.

Just alittle fact, Highlands first game under Duffy against Cov. Cath., Highlands didn't even get a first down.

Just alittle fact, Highlands first game under Duffy against Cov. Cath., Highlands didn't even get a first down.

 

I remember that game. It was ugly. The 1988 team had a great defense though, regular season opponents offense averaged 4.4 points a game and had 7 shutouts. It helps having an NFL linebacker securing the defense.

 

I was not suggesting any coach at Highlands played players based on name, just saying Duffy didn't care who you were, he did not pull any punches. I will say to this day, and probably in every sport, parents still go into the offices to question why their son doesn't play more. I would say they were treated a little better today than back in the day. But I will disagree in Highlands never needed turning around.

The Highlands football program was in shambles in 1987. It's lowest point in the last forty years. The preceding head coach, Jack Eicher, hardly used Jerry Reynolds, a future NFL draftee. The freshman football team lost every game. Dr. Fred Williams brought in Coach Duffy from Danville and he began cleaning up the house. Coach Duffy hired Jim Dougherty to run the defense and began a conditioning program that had never been seen before or since. In order to earn your uniform, you had to be in prime physical condition. The freshman that lost every game three years earlier, brought glory back to Fort Thomas by winning the first State Title in seven years in 1989. Coach Tom Duffy saved Highlands football and turned many boys into men.

Ah the old Red Dog, coach Dougherty.

The Highlands football program was in shambles in 1987. It's lowest point in the last forty years. The preceding head coach, Jack Eicher, hardly used Jerry Reynolds, a future NFL draftee. The freshman football team lost every game. Dr. Fred Williams brought in Coach Duffy from Danville and he began cleaning up the house. Coach Duffy hired Jim Dougherty to run the defense and began a conditioning program that had never been seen before or since. In order to earn your uniform, you had to be in prime physical condition. The freshman that lost every game three years earlier, brought glory back to Fort Thomas by winning the first State Title in seven years in 1989. Coach Tom Duffy saved Highlands football and turned many boys into men.

I will defer to those who have followed the HHS program closely over the years, but I would have to say that the HHS football program circa 1987 was in a very different position than it is right now. I never played football for Coach Duffy (or for anyone else, for that matter), but he was my track coach. With what I had observed with Coach Duffy and what I've heard about Coach Mueller, I would choose Coach Mueller to coach my son (if I had one) every day of the week. However, Coach Duffy, in my opinion, served an important role in quickly restoring the HHS program to championship form. I think it is fair to wonder what would have happened if Coach Duffy had stayed at HHS longer. I have heard stories that Duffy's coaching philosophy/mentality was having a negative impact on youth football in Ft. Thomas, and if this was the case he probably left just at the right time. One thing's for sure: Coach Mueller is the PERFECT coach for Highlands to have at this stage in the program's development, and given how successful the program has been of late, how many kids are coming out for football, and how hard they are working, I think a real case can be made the HHS football program has NEVER been stronger.

I think it is safe to say that both men were the right coach at the right time. Some coaches can rebuild programs, and some can maintain them, and some can take them to higher levels. (Some can ruin them too, but not these guys)

I will defer to those who have followed the HHS program closely over the years, but I would have to say that the HHS football program circa 1987 was in a very different position than it is right now. I never played football for Coach Duffy (or for anyone else, for that matter), but he was my track coach. With what I had observed with Coach Duffy and what I've heard about Coach Mueller, I would choose Coach Mueller to coach my son (if I had one) every day of the week. However, Coach Duffy, in my opinion, served an important role in quickly restoring the HHS program to championship form. I think it is fair to wonder what would have happened if Coach Duffy had stayed at HHS longer. I have heard stories that Duffy's coaching philosophy/mentality was having a negative impact on youth football in Ft. Thomas, and if this was the case he probably left just at the right time. One thing's for sure: Coach Mueller is the PERFECT coach for Highlands to have at this stage in the program's development, and given how successful the program has been of late, how many kids are coming out for football, and how hard they are working, I think a real case can be made the HHS football program has NEVER been stronger.

 

But are they fast?

The Highlands football program was in shambles in 1987. It's lowest point in the last forty years. The preceding head coach, Jack Eicher, hardly used Jerry Reynolds, a future NFL draftee. The freshman football team lost every game. Dr. Fred Williams brought in Coach Duffy from Danville and he began cleaning up the house. Coach Duffy hired Jim Dougherty to run the defense and began a conditioning program that had never been seen before or since. In order to earn your uniform, you had to be in prime physical condition. The freshman that lost every game three years earlier, brought glory back to Fort Thomas by winning the first State Title in seven years in 1989. Coach Tom Duffy saved Highlands football and turned many boys into men.

 

I find that very, very hard to believe, considering what the team does now.

But are they fast?

 

Nah, just a bunch of plodders like always.

The Highlands football program was in shambles in 1987. It's lowest point in the last forty years. The preceding head coach, Jack Eicher, hardly used Jerry Reynolds, a future NFL draftee. The freshman football team lost every game. Dr. Fred Williams brought in Coach Duffy from Danville and he began cleaning up the house. Coach Duffy hired Jim Dougherty to run the defense and began a conditioning program that had never been seen before or since. In order to earn your uniform, you had to be in prime physical condition. The freshman that lost every game three years earlier, brought glory back to Fort Thomas by winning the first State Title in seven years in 1989. Coach Tom Duffy saved Highlands football and turned many boys into men.

 

Coach Jim "Red Dog" Dougherty was retained by Duffy from the previous year's coaching staff....Hardly new to Highlands in 1988!!