Jackson has done a good job, but i'd say Jeff Marksberry is closer to being the messiah. He has done a whole lot in a less than ideal situation.

 

Coach Marksberry is on the right path but last week didn't help. There is another thread on the forum started by Clyde to debate Coach Marksberry's place in KY football. Please let this thread be about Messiah Mike.

As I tell everybody that wants to listen, it's great PLAYERS and STAFFS that make the head coach...and, success or failure in football must ALWAYS be about a TEAM, and NEVER about any INDIVIDUAL (those two D-1 kids we have fortunately the exact same outlook on that as I -- two of the most HUMBLE kids I've ever coached!).

AMEN Brother!

Wow...hate to get involved in this one!

 

But I'll need to agree with Blockbuster...until our team actually BEATS one of these powers -- as flattered as I am that the Guru has bestowed such hyperbole on me -- I don't think there needs to be any confusing me professionally with someone like Bob Redmon or ESPECIALLY Dale Mueller (who I think ALWAYS does the best coaching job of anyone in the state year-in, year-out). Can't really be mentioned in the same breath with those two legends--let alone several others out there that are doing a great job--I'm afraid.

 

Though I overall agree with Raider, got to correct him a little on the record though. Our teams got two VERY tough wins against pretty good private schools in our run at Oldham County -- vs. CovCath and vs. LexCath (in playoffs one year on their home field when they were ranked #3 in state).

 

By the way, EVERY year "my" teams have been competitive with the best (got VERY close to beating T, X, and Highlands a few times on the varsity level while at 3A OC), we had GREAT (not just good) assistant coaches on staff -- as we have this year at Ballard. Other years, didn't have the best of staffs, didn't do as well against the best, and I was the same guy doing the head coaching.

 

As I tell everybody that wants to listen, it's great PLAYERS and STAFFS that make the head coach...and, success or failure in football must ALWAYS be about a TEAM, and NEVER about any INDIVIDUAL (those two D-1 kids we have fortunately the exact same outlook on that as I -- two of the most HUMBLE kids I've ever coached!).

 

Until the time when we can actually consistently compete with and BEAT the best, I respectfully ask the Guru (my new best friend:D), to close this thread and start one with the same name about Coach Mueller.

 

Thanks Mike for the nice comments about Dale. We know we have a great coach, but it's always pleasing when you hear it stated from folks outside the program, especially from a talented coach like you.

 

Best of luck the rest of the season. Not that it matters what I think, but I loved your decision to go for 2.

As I tell everybody that wants to listen, it's great PLAYERS and STAFFS that make the head coach...

 

Since we're talking messiahs, I feel an Amen! is in order for this statement...

 

The head coach deserves his share of the credit. He's still the man running the show. But few, if any, can do it by themselves. I know when Breathitt County had their great run in the mid '90's, Mike Holcomb had a top notch staff of assistants working under him. Breathitt County was fortunate to have a great coaching staff and the best wave of talent in school history converge in one period. You're right when you say it's all about TEAM.

 

Good luck going forward.

CoachJ - Bottom-line is you're doing a heck of a job. Congrats on your past successes and best of luck this year at Ballard.

Jackson is doing a good job, but he seems to not get over the hump in each place he has been, and he changes his scenerey alot. IMHO he will get over the hump sooner or later but it will be once he takes over at one of the programs he seems to fall short too.

My freshman year of high school I went to a football camp and Centre College and he was my position coach there. A few years later he became the head coach at Oldham County and made them relevant. I still don't understand their power-i shotgun offense. That was some crazy stuff to play against. He is a great guy and is a good coach. I don't think he is ready for Trinity or St. X when it counts though.

True, Jackson hasn't beaten X or T yet. But, who else in Kentucky can claim to be within one point of doing so and going for the win? Not a win, but in elite company so far.

True, Jackson hasn't beaten X or T yet. But, who else in Kentucky can claim to be within one point of doing so and going for the win? Not a win, but in elite company so far.

Many have played X / T close. But this isn't horseshoes or cornhole.

Many have played X / T close. But this isn't horseshoes or cornhole.

 

Define "many". I must have missed it. But, I didn't say "Play them close", I said " come within one point and go for two for the win and fall short". Quite different.

John Hardin.

WOW - No pressure, Coach J!!

 

Guru, what do you mean by turn the corner? Are we talking about getting a win? Playing them close consistently? Winning half the games or more? I won't use the term messiah, but I will say Ballard can make 6A football MUCH more interesting if they are able to win half or nearly half of their games against T & X over the next few years. IF that happens, clearly the credit should go to Coach Jackson. It is his relentless commitment that keeps the program on track.

I'd look for Manual to be in this mix, along with Ballard, of Public Schools challenging X & T.

I'd look for Manual to be in this mix, along with Ballard, of Public Schools challenging X & T.

 

Manual now, or Manual in the future? I'm interested to see this year's Manual Team. It's the advent of a new era there. I hope they can mix it up with X & T. Unlike many, I think it's good for X & T to have challenges. Ballard is definitely "right there". It'll be interesting to see what Male is able to do with a new coach as well. Seneca has been progressing as well. This season promises to be a fun one in Louisville for 6A, IMO. Personally, I think that Ballard has improved leaps and bounds since Coach Jackson took over. I also think that he's got the edge over the other schools in 6A in Louisville in that he's been building for a while now, and his kids have bought into the changes he's instituted. And we're not just talking about a new offense.

Manual now, or Manual in the future? I'm interested to see this year's Manual Team. It's the advent of a new era there. I hope they can mix it up with X & T. Unlike many, I think it's good for X & T to have challenges. Ballard is definitely "right there". It'll be interesting to see what Male is able to do with a new coach as well. Seneca has been progressing as well. This season promises to be a fun one in Louisville for 6A, IMO. Personally, I think that Ballard has improved leaps and bounds since Coach Jackson took over. I also think that he's got the edge over the other schools in 6A in Louisville in that he's been building for a while now, and his kids have bought into the changes he's instituted. And we're not just talking about a new offense.

 

I agree, Rockmom.