Can anybody win at HHS, the system and tradition are so great?

 

Discuss ...

It's without a doubt a tough place to play but yes they can be beaten there. Tonight is probably the best chance of it happening this year though.

 

Now obviously if they'd play a tougher schedule and add X & T then it would happen much more often....

$$$$$$ and travel are the 2 things that hinder county schools from succeeding. I honestly believe 80% of the coaches in the state could go to FTH and continue their tradition. However about 20% or less of the coaches could go to Bell or Boyle and continue. County schools deal with trying to transport players to and from school for practice by using activity buses which will limit the amout of practice time. These county school have over 95% free and reduced lunch. When kids become 16 in order to get a car they must work. In these situations most will quit playing ball and work if possible to have car and insurance instead of riding a bus 10-15-20 even 25 miles to and from school and practice. Private schools and city/independant schools can in most cases keep the players at practice until 6-7-8 oclock or when weather is to hot bring them in at night. County schools would run activity buses at usually 6:00 and have very difficult time sending players home after school and then expecting them to be able to get back for a late practice if weather was too hot. I could ramble on but will wait for some response to this.

 

Not a chance in the world.

 

How many coaches, since the championship has been established, have been at the helm at Highlands without winning one? I thought it has been only one, but maybe I am wrong. As far as keeping them at the sucess level they have achieved in the last twelve years, I would agree with you.

 

That is true. Seven of the eight coaches, in that time period, won at least one state championship. But that shouldn't be seen as adding any credence to the notion that just any coach could come in here and win state. All but one (Duffy) of our head coaches were connected to Highlands -- as an assistant coach, player, or both -- long before being named the head coach. It goes along with the philosophy of developing talent (within the system) at the earliest possible level. And for the record: Dale Muelller not only played on one of the HHS state championship teams, he was also brought up through the FTJFL. He's been one of our most successful coaches ever.

 

Some interesting points from another thread ...

Can anybody win at HHS, the system and tradition are so great?

 

Discuss ...

 

Obviously not anybody because Eicher didn't win state with at least 2 NFL players on his team. However, I think at least 50% of the head coaches in this state could win one at Highlands within four years.

Edited August 27, 201016 yr by Birdsfan

It's without a doubt a tough place to play but yes they can be beaten there. Tonight is probably the best chance of it happening this year though.

 

Now obviously if they'd play a tougher schedule and add X & T then it would happen much more often....

 

I was talking in terms of coaches. It was a spinoff of the Consolidation thread.

Could a mod edit the poll and thread title to read "Can any coach win at Highlands?"

 

Thanks.

Withrow will be a tough game at Highlands this year.

I am not Highlands Fan, but I don't believe "anybody" could win at Highlands. Part of the Tradition, part of the mystique and great deal of the work ethic comes from the coaching staff. Obviously I think winning at Highlands, because of the tradition and the community support is easier than other places. In fact I would say with possible exception of St. X and Trinity there is no bigger advantage in the state. However, the wrong man at the helm and Highlands could quickly come back to the pack.

 

In fact I believe (even though he won 2 championships there) that had Duffey remained at Highlands another 3 or 4 years he may have changed those traditions and support structure so significantly, that Highlands may have never recovered.

I voted yes, but I only say that because I think unless there is some kind of catastrophic undoing of the Highlands community and football system from top to bottom, there is no way they won't continue to get anything but the best out of their players - and coaches for that matter. I realize that state championship trophies are a very obvious means of cataloging a programs success and ability to "win", but I would have to say that there are certain intangibles that can go along with "winning" that have nothing to do with championships. Highlands seems to have that down...

I was talking in terms of coaches. It was a spinoff of the Consolidation thread.

 

Sorry about that, I believe most coaches could win at HHS. Maybe not with the frequency that coach Mueller does but HHS would still remain a top program under probably 60 or 70 percent of the coaches in Kentucky IMO. HHS has the pressure of those that won before you to drive most kids even if the coach isn't the best motivator. Which when you add a great motivator like Coach Mueller in you get the results of the run they've been on the last decade.

Could it happen of course it could. Will it happen probably not any time soon. But just like anything else nothing last forever. Some day the dynasty will fall.

I have never seen St. Xavier lose to Highlands at Highlands. I have only seen Freshman/JV games there. What is the alltime home record for at Highlands?

Could it happen of course it could. Will it happen probably not any time soon. But just like anything else nothing last forever. Some day the dynasty will fall.

 

Most certainly not anytime soon. I played in the mid-late 90's and several people I know that played Highschool football for multiple schools have or are trying to move into Ft. Thomas so their elementary aged kids can eventually play for HHS.

To suggest "any" coach could win at Highlands unfairly minimizes Coach Mueller's contribution. Not only is he a great coach, but he has stayed with the program. By comparison, last year's graduating Cov. Cath. senior class played under 3 different head football coaches. As talented as Dale is, I am sure he has had plenty of offers to go elsewhere at higher pay. Coach Mueller (like Coach Listerman at Cov. Cath. - b'ball) has no doubt made great financial sacrifices to stay with the program. While community support and tradition are components to the Bluebirds' success, a lesser coach would yield a lesser result. And...."Beat Highlands".

To suggest "any" coach could win at Highlands unfairly minimizes Coach Mueller's contribution. Not only is he a great coach, but he has stayed with the program. By comparison, last year's graduating Cov. Cath. senior class played under 3 different head football coaches. As talented as Dale is, I am sure he has had plenty of offers to go elsewhere at higher pay. Coach Mueller (like Coach Listerman at Cov. Cath. - b'ball) has no doubt made great financial sacrifices to stay with the program. While community support and tradition are components to the Bluebirds' success, a lesser coach would yield a lesser result. And...."Beat Highlands".

He makes financial sacrifice compared to what other job?