No way IMO. There are plenty of good coaches in the state, and plenty that could win titles at Highlands, but I don't think anyone or even half the coaches could do it. Highlands plays up 2 divisions don't they? I think a question like that is a slap in the face to the Highlands coaching staff.

He makes financial sacrifice compared to what other job?

I believe Dale has a engineering(sp) degree from Cornell. I think he could probably make more money in that field than in the coaching and teaching field.

Not just any Coach. Now, the top 20% of Head Coaches around the State probably would. Highlands has great tradition and community support. Dale is better than most Coaches in the Sate of Kentucky. IMO.

He makes financial sacrifice compared to what other job?

 

Considering Coach Mueller's success I would assume he could move up the ladder to a higher paying college gig. Considering his wisdom, drive and the connections he has made over the years in the land of milk and honey known as Ft. Thomas, I would bet he could land a job in the non-football world that paid substantially more than his current high school salary.

Not just any Coach. Now, the top 20% of Head Coaches around the State probably would. Highlands has great tradition and community support. Dale is better than most Coaches in the Sate of Kentucky. IMO.

Now this is something that makes much more sense! :thumb:

If Ryle doesn't do it tonight, it won't happen the rest of the year. I must add that the fans last week against Manual had alot of rust on them. It certainly wasn't a lively crowd. Hopefully tonight they'll open up with a little more spirit. It was hardly the imposing atmosphere that some posters claim. It was weak for the #2 team in the state. Maybe the fans are getting too soft by all the winning.....

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

 

Thanks.

Is that better?

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 agree with you.

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.

 

It's not just when they get to high school. I know that everyone is on the Fort Thomas Junior League bandwagon, but a lot of it is true. This is my first year involved w/ it. We have 6 coaches for a 3/4 grade team. 4 of us played college football. That's a lot of experience to give 8 -9 year old's. We will coach them for the next 4 years and then their 7&8th grade coach was a running back at Cornell. The kids receive great instruction from a very young age so that when they get to Highlands, they are fundamentally sound and then go into the athlete factory that the offseason program has created.

 

NewCath has benefitted from the league as well and have seen great results.

Is that better?

 

Thanks! :thumb: Shoulda been more clear at the beginning.

No way IMO. There are plenty of good coaches in the state, and plenty that could win titles at Highlands, but I don't think anyone or even half the coaches could do it. Highlands plays up 2 divisions don't they? I think a question like that is a slap in the face to the Highlands coaching staff.

 

I'd still give the coaches all the credit in the world - their program has been built around the resource of many many dedicated and talented coaches who were committed in a very big way to the Highlands football program. I didn't mean that as anything but a compliment. Still, I think that for the most part, where the program stands now, it would be capable of holding itself together - at least for a little while - with most any coach at the helm. I don't mean that as any slap in the face of Dale, but rather as a compliment. He is the product and now the very very successful head of a program that was designed with the architecture to recreate itself year after year, and as such, he shows every year what the Ft. Thomas/Highlands program is made of.

I believe Dale has a engineering(sp) degree from Cornell. I think he could probably make more money in that field than in the coaching and teaching field.

 

But if he wants to be a coach, which he does, he has one of the best paying jobs in this state doing it.

I'd still give the coaches all the credit in the world - their program has been built around the resource of many many dedicated and talented coaches who were committed in a very big way to the Highlands football program. I didn't mean that as anything but a compliment. Still, I think that for the most part, where the program stands now, it would be capable of holding itself together - at least for a little while - with most any coach at the helm. I don't mean that as any slap in the face of Dale, but rather as a compliment. He is the product and now the very very successful head of a program that was designed with the architecture to recreate itself year after year, and as such, he shows every year what the Ft. Thomas/Highlands program is made of.

 

I know the overall history of the programs don't compare but look at what happened at Boyle County after Smith left. That's all I'm saying. It takes a pretty good coach to keep a program at the level Highlands is at now, no matter the talent level, support, tradition, etc. IMO.

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

 

It's amazing that HHS gets criticized for not playing a tougher schedule when they continually play up in class every year and schedule much larger schools 6A on a regular basis... and I know they've played 1A Beechwood the last couple of years

I understand Dale teaches AP Physics or AP Calculus every other year. Having only observed him from afar, he reminds me of a cross between Bill Nye the science guy, a mad scientist who is always trying to create something better than the day before, and Vince Lombardi. He is incredibly bright and his record speaks for itself. Dale is a wonderful motivator and the kids love playing for him. Although other coaches would likely have a successful career at HHS, I am confident they would be hard pressed to duplicate his success.