Did it work when James was healthy?

 

Against mediocre teams. I think that is a lot of the problem, they relied too heavily on James. He is an outstanding talent. I understand you go with your strength. A more well rounded attack would be helpful for this very situation. Other players have a ton of talent, they don't seem to have the "home run" ability everytime they touch the ball like James does.

PurplePride, I understand what you're saying, and no I def don't compare him to most people in Boyle Co. but since he thinks he knows about Mercer I had to throw something at him, I have alot of respect for Boyle Co. and it's outstanding tradition, people, coaches and players because most just like me are for our team on Friday night when they meet, but prior to and after our meeting we support both because not only does it make your team look better if the team you beat still performs well, but it also looks good for your area. I mean my Mercer team has got smashed by Boyle for the last 3 years but I was rooting for them all year long after, I was even at the state championship wearing a Boyle co sweatshirt so I'm looking forward to being back in Bowling Green this year, hopefully by some unimaginable grace of God Mercer makes it and also Boyle but we all know Boyles chances are way way way way better haha anyway sorry for any disrespect PurplePride and to anyone else with "class" in Boyle co, looking forward to hearing that smashing of Danville this Friday, good luck rebels and TITANS

Edited September 22, 201016 yr by Ram
Rule 13

Against mediocre teams. I think that is a lot of the problem, they relied too heavily on James. He is an outstanding talent. I understand you go with your strength. A more well rounded attack would be helpful for this very situation. Other players have a ton of talent, they don't seem to have the "home run" ability everytime they touch the ball like James does.

 

the reason the "speed players" dont have that ability when they get the ball is due to the fact that they are not very aggresive runners, they like to juke and run east and west and dont hit the holes with the velocity johnson does not to mention he is a strong north and south runner, although, ellis is a great kick and punt returner, he has been since he started his sophmore year, and yes burris is fast but lets just say he doesnt have the best pair of hands on the team, also in my oppinion its like mason is trying to mold the team around the offense , mercer has been more of a power team then a speed team and used players like yeast mccloud gilliam and griffith to pound it against their opponents, also mercers line has shrunk incredibly since 08 and 09 so i dont understand why he hasnt found an offense that fits HIS team, if i were mason, i would look at my team and say we arent the fastest but still pretty fast, we have a mobile QB or a young freshmen Qb with great accuracy, and are line is undersized so it will be more difficult to run without johnson and you have good recievers with pretty good hands in miller, ellis, elery, burris(if he works on catching he can be a force at WR), and some RB out of the backfield that can catch, so i would use the spread offence with 3-4 receivers wide and a back or 2 left to block or go out for a pass or maybe even a draw (just an example play), also im not saying you have to throw it every down, but he has so much talent to work with and he is wasting it, there so many options he can use for an offense, you can say i dont know what im talking about and i need to let the coaches coach.... well im tired of letting them coach becuase after 2 mediocer teams, we lose by a combined score of 132-40, that is more then triple and its down right embarrasing, i cant remember mercer losing by more then a TD since 05 @ russel other then lincoln 08 and madison central and boyle in 09, but mercer never gave up 60 points to anyone until the change, so i think its time for mason to listen to the people that pay his paycheck and are tired of losing, its plain and simple, change the offense to a pass first offense or at least balanced more towards the pass because you DO NOT have the size to be a run first team, use your athletes to their ability and if you are to blind to see your method has NOT been working and has NEVER really worked then you need a career change my friend, enough is enough 3-13 aint cuttin it, sure you might run on a NO WIN south luarel team, but good luck trying that against a solid southwestern, marion, or pulaski co team, i hope these PLAYERS can make something happen and make this THEIR team cause that is the only way they will have success is when they decide enough is enough, and as a parent ive had conversations with many who already are and have been since last year so coach, what ya gunna do? becuase us parents and our boys are sick and tired of being embarrassed and embarrassing this town

 

again i know its just my opinion and i dont expect anybody to agree with me, so to save arguments lets just talk about what u disagree with in my post and what you believe is correct, no reason we cant be civil and just talk football, thanks RememberThis?

It's all good Remember This?. I didn't want you to hate the rest of us because of him.

I agree with everything you said RememberThis.

Does anyone know Mason's overall record as head coach? Did he win at Nelson? Too many fans worried a bout winning 5 or 6 games, bottom line does his team look well coached regardless of talent ????

Does anyone know Mason's overall record as head coach? Did he win at Nelson? Too many fans worried a bout winning 5 or 6 games, bottom line does his team look well coached regardless of talent ????

 

20 - 35

2002 6-5

2003 6-5

2004 7-5

2005 0-10

 

2009 1-10

I am not a Boyle fan, but I have observed the Mercer program from afar over the past several years and my post is far from ignorant (which mean uninformed) Mercer is a mess. And the people are just as much to blame as anyone. Good luck to Mercer but IMHO you guys are a long way off and without a strong administration coaches will not be successful.

Ok, I have long been an observer to these forums but enough is enough. Let's analyze the current state of the Mercer program! I feel like I can give a pretty good information due to having some dealings with the coaches and with the community. First and foremost the Mercer community needs to quit harping on what any team does at middle school (that is what you hang your hat on). Coach Floro does an outstanding job at the middle school level and the kids have success. In my business dealings in Harrodsburg I always hear the comparisions to Boyle County. Well the Boyle County kids live in the weight room from their freshman year through their senior year. Can you say the same for the Mercer kids? Are the kids asked to lift weights? Boyle County and their coaches, parents and administratrors make no excuses. They want to be successful and they demand success and in order for this to occur it takes hard work. Are the parents and players at Mercer willing to sacrifice and quit making excuses and hold their kids accountable? My understanding was that last year (Mason's first off season) that the kids were actually required to lift weights. Now I don't know but if last year was the first year they were required to lift that could be an issue.

 

Having talked to some people close to the program it appears that Mason has a plan. He is trying to deliver a program that can sustain success, hard work, toughness, being physical and most importantly holding the kids accountable. The question is will he be allowed. In the past the Mercer parents are notorious for making excuses why their kid can't do something, looking for a way to give him an out. In observing the game the other night it is apparent that Mercer needs to get stronger. Also if I am not mistaken they has lost their best running back and their starting QB. How many teams could take that hit and continue on without missing a beat?

 

I have the luxury of crossing paths with many coaches accross the state. I can generally get a pretty good idea of how coaches are viewed. Harp (D), French (BC), Peach (AC) it is my belief that you have a highly respected coach that is trying to do it the right way.

 

Take it for what its worth but it appears that they are trying to do things the right way and it will happen sooner if everyone is pulling in the same direction.

 

An example of all of this was me hearing at the middle school game that of all people a middle school coach was on the field after a vasity game in a heated arguement with the head coach over his sons lack of playing time. According to this person the AD and assistant principal had to get involved, if that is the case what a ridiculous situation and typical for Mercer County. You want to say all the right things but your actions sure do show differently. Parents need to quit blaming administrators and coaches and the coaches need to encourage positive support from the parents and get this ship going in the right direction!

 

 

Good Luck to all involved!

Ok, I have long been an observer to these forums but enough is enough. Let's analyze the current state of the Mercer program! I feel like I can give a pretty good information due to having some dealings with the coaches and with the community. First and foremost the Mercer community needs to quit harping on what any team does at middle school (that is what you hang your hat on). Coach Floro does an outstanding job at the middle school level and the kids have success. In my business dealings in Harrodsburg I always hear the comparisions to Boyle County. Well the Boyle County kids live in the weight room from their freshman year through their senior year. Can you say the same for the Mercer kids? Are the kids asked to lift weights? Boyle County and their coaches, parents and administratrors make no excuses. They want to be successful and they demand success and in order for this to occur it takes hard work. Are the parents and players at Mercer willing to sacrifice and quit making excuses and hold their kids accountable? My understanding was that last year (Mason's first off season) that the kids were actually required to lift weights. Now I don't know but if last year was the first year they were required to lift that could be an issue.

 

Having talked to some people close to the program it appears that Mason has a plan. He is trying to deliver a program that can sustain success, hard work, toughness, being physical and most importantly holding the kids accountable. The question is will he be allowed. In the past the Mercer parents are notorious for making excuses why their kid can't do something, looking for a way to give him an out. In observing the game the other night it is apparent that Mercer needs to get stronger. Also if I am not mistaken they has lost their best running back and their starting QB. How many teams could take that hit and continue on without missing a beat?

 

I have the luxury of crossing paths with many coaches accross the state. I can generally get a pretty good idea of how coaches are viewed. Harp (D), French (BC), Peach (AC) it is my belief that you have a highly respected coach that is trying to do it the right way.

 

Take it for what its worth but it appears that they are trying to do things the right way and it will happen sooner if everyone is pulling in the same direction.

 

An example of all of this was me hearing at the middle school game that of all people a middle school coach was on the field after a vasity game in a heated arguement with the head coach over his sons lack of playing time. According to this person the AD and assistant principal had to get involved, if that is the case what a ridiculous situation and typical for Mercer County. You want to say all the right things but your actions sure do show differently. Parents need to quit blaming administrators and coaches and the coaches need to encourage positive support from the parents and get this ship going in the right direction!

 

 

Good Luck to all involved!

 

 

Welcome to BGP.

 

Very well written and well thought out post.

 

I am familiar with the incident between the middle school coach and the head coach. It is my understanding that there was a great deal of miscommunication on both sides.

 

When the players begin to care as much as the parents then things will get better at Mercer. They definitely do not have the year round dedication or attitude that you will find at Boyle County but they do work year round at Mercer. Obviously not as hard as they need to.

Amen brother.

Thanks, I am not hear to bash parents or criticize a coach or a player. I don't think there is any doubt that most people want to have a successful program. I am sure the parents, coaches and players at Mercer want to win. It just appears that everyone is quick to point a finger at the parents or the coaches and never want to hold the kids accountable. If I am not mistaken Hammonds had some success but not enough to keep people happy, Jaggers was there and there was a segment of the fanbase that weren't totally enamoured with him either. Now Mason is there and people are already on message boards saying he isn't the right guy. Well what is the answer? Just keep changing coaches and you catch lightening in a bottle and have a good season here and there or do you stay the course and everyone from the parents, coaches, administrators and players all pull in the same direction for a common goal. Don't worry about who is carrying the ball or who is throwing or who is getting credit just so out and show positive support for each other and positive results will follow.

Thanks, I am not hear to bash parents or criticize a coach or a player. I don't think there is any doubt that most people want to have a successful program. I am sure the parents, coaches and players at Mercer want to win. It just appears that everyone is quick to point a finger at the parents or the coaches and never want to hold the kids accountable. If I am not mistaken Hammonds had some success but not enough to keep people happy, Jaggers was there and there was a segment of the fanbase that weren't totally enamoured with him either. Now Mason is there and people are already on message boards saying he isn't the right guy. Well what is the answer? Just keep changing coaches and you catch lightening in a bottle and have a good season here and there or do you stay the course and everyone from the parents, coaches, administrators and players all pull in the same direction for a common goal. Don't worry about who is carrying the ball or who is throwing or who is getting credit just so out and show positive support for each other and positive results will follow.

 

 

What is interesting is that after Jaggers was let go I was told that a lot of the players wanted Mason as the coach immediately and that some spoke with the administration about hiring/keeping Mason around. It will be interesting to see if changes are made this offseason. I know what the public wants.

What is interesting is that after Jaggers was let go I was told that a lot of the players wanted Mason as the coach immediately and that some spoke with the administration about hiring/keeping Mason around. It will be interesting to see if changes are made this offseason. I know what the public wants.

 

In my profession I like to deal with numbers because they seem to paint a pretty obvious picture. I have spent more time on this topic than I should but here it goes. First and foremost the statement about knowing what the public wants can be skewed. Everyone realizes that the those that are unhappy usually complain the loudest. So back to the point I believe that Mason has been on the job for around 15 months don't know if that is enough to judge him. I would think it would be highly unlikely a change would happen.

 

I wanted to look at the history of the Mercer Program.

 

1998 - 5 wins

1999 - 6 wins

2000 - 7 wins

2001 - 8 wins

2002 - 8 wins

2003 - 5 wins

2004 - 6 wins

2005 - 10 wins

2006 - 15 wins

2007 - 5 wins

2008 - 6 wins

2009 - 1 win

2010 - ?

 

I believe this team has more wins in them. But I don't think those numbers represent anything earth shattering other than 06 and I will not go there. Anyway I found those numbers to be quite amusing after reading some comments on here I would have thought Mercer had a more successful history.

In my profession I like to deal with numbers because they seem to paint a pretty obvious picture. I have spent more time on this topic than I should but here it goes. First and foremost the statement about knowing what the public wants can be skewed. Everyone realizes that the those that are unhappy usually complain the loudest. So back to the point I believe that Mason has been on the job for around 15 months don't know if that is enough to judge him. I would think it would be highly unlikely a change would happen.

 

I wanted to look at the history of the Mercer Program.

 

1998 - 5 wins

1999 - 6 wins

2000 - 7 wins

2001 - 8 wins

2002 - 8 wins

2003 - 5 wins

2004 - 6 wins

2005 - 10 wins

2006 - 15 wins

2007 - 5 wins

2008 - 6 wins

2009 - 1 win

2010 - ?

 

I believe this team has more wins in them. But I don't think those numbers represent anything earth shattering other than 06 and I will not go there. Anyway I found those numbers to be quite amusing after reading some comments on here I would have thought Mercer had a more successful history.

 

Actually Harrodsburg is the "storied program," not Mercer. And Harrodsburg's success goes pretty far back at least as the 70's through the 90's. Those numbers might be worth looking at in the discussion. :thumb: