GCHS

That is true, but it still takes A LOT of ice. Ice machines get emptied out pretty quickly and take time to make enough more that it is a consideration you have to take into effect.

It is really good for the rejuvenating effect it has on tired bodies. Kids who do it just feel better. Helps with the soreness early in the season (think camp) and also helps with the wearing down of bodies late in the season (fatigue in weeks 8-10). Especially, I think, for the big guys who pound on every play.

Tell that to Belfry. lol

IDK if the standards are the same with a coaching hire... If there is a teaching job, that would be different

The problem is not the number of tubs, but the amount of ice it takes... If any more than a few are taking ice baths after practice, it is hard to have enough ice for bags, water coolers etc. lol I will say that ice baths definitely work on a number of levels.

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Using those numbers, you are looking at 17,471 total D1 scholarships available for 1,093,234 athletes... A percentage of just about 1.6%. I have always said that the NBA/NFL are the most rarefied gene pools in the world. Those guys are, literally the most freakish freaks of nature...

As an area football fan, I really hate to say this... But, I don't know if Lincoln will ever be consistently competitive in 5A football. They may have a class or two come through every once in a while, but I don't think they can do it consistently. At least not with the current athletics structure at Lincoln.

Pretty Good List, IMO.

This seems like a pretty good "Old Money" list... Somerset may have to be removed b/c they have no championships.

FWIW, I think there are some really strong staffs in the area, right now.

The Madison Schools have multiple feeders. More to the point, I think, is the fact that it hurts Lincoln more because while they are a 5A school numbers-wise, it is simply due to their physical size as a county. So, while they are a 5A school from a population standpoint, they are demographically more like a large 3A school. As a result, these issues of one feeder system might affect them more. I also agree with Harry's overall point that middle schools have, in many ways, been a net-negative for many rural football programs.

I guess I would say that most assistants are maybe more tied to an area than HCs, who make more money and can more afford the moving involved.

Just because the Head Coach says there are teaching positions available does NOT mean that coaches will definitely be hired for those positions. But, I agree with you inasmuch as there are fewer people entering the professions of teaching/coaching. Money is just not good enough to justify the investment of time and money (grad school).

Most administrators, if they are being honest, would rather not have athletics, at all. Many see it as a distraction that causes them nothing but grief. That said, sports (especially football) are vitally important to the success of a school. A great example would be Boyle County... Before they started winning State Championships in football, Boyle was just another county school - now they are a Distinguished school. I agree that a lot of coaches don't do the profession any favors, but most of that can be alleviated by communication. People will blame tenure, but bad teachers usually reflect poor leadership. If an administrator effectively communicates expectations and follows up, most will come around. The rest CAN be fired, but the admin needs to show cause. That said, a lot of administrators spend more time at meetings, conferences, & trainings than they do in the building - and that is the fault of central office staff, superintendents, and board members. Finally, it is harder and harder for young people to justify the time and effort of teaching, much less coaching. The workload, stakes, and time away from family just aren't justified by the paychecks, anymore.

Mercer should be quite improved... Their season was kind of wrecked by injuries, last year (and, if what have read on here is correct, off-field issues). In addition, their district schedule lightens up considerably - though the pre-district schedule looks pretty rugged. Dave Buchanan was the absolute best hire they could have made, IMO.

Lincoln should be improved... They get back a pretty good playmaker in the backfield this year. Even though they lost Wilks, it seems like I heard their line was young, last year. Problem for them still seems like getting the school's best athletes to play. Heard their Spring numbers were low, but not sure about that.

The lost part of this argument is the Garrard defense, which allowed almost half as many points per game last year than Rock's. Against the only two common opponents, Garrard allowed almost 30 fewer... At any rate, this is a Garrard thread - what they need to do is develop their kicking game and a couple more linemen. As far as what they have returning - 8 defensive starters off a really good defense. A receiver who averaged about 28 yards per catch, and two 1,000+ yard rushers (not to mention the leading rusher through 4 games, who went down to injury), and an experienced QB.

Just don't see Rockcastle having the athletes to play with Garrard. They could lose to either Boyle, Catholic, or both - but they are capable of beating either. Jlow is right - kicking game MUST improve, but they return two 1000+ yard rushers and an outstanding receiver, as well as the best lineman in the region, IMO. Lex - I never have really understood the whole "schedule preparing" thing? If we went on non-district schedules alone, LexCath should have won 5 or 10 state titles by now. Games are about matchups and execution, IMO.

They certainly have a favorable district... That is helpful.

A couple of things to add: 1) Mason's base offense came from Pardue, ostensibly. The playcalling was considerably different, but still same sets, schemes, and names... The one exception is the bone package. That said, they have run A LOT more bone in the past few years and I am sure there have been other changes in terminology, pacing, etc. since Pardue was there last. So, in a sense, everyone is right. lol 2) Josiah Robbins is not the best athlete a Boyle... He is the best athlete in the area, period. I am sure Boyle would love to get him off the field, but the problem for Boyle is... 3) The drop-off between him and the next guy is going to be pretty precipitous. Boyle does not have many game-breakers. They play tough, fundamentally-sound, well-executed football - which will beat 95% of teams. They will not bowl anyone over with their athleticism. They have a good chance to win 3A, next season, but I think they have to find someone for Robbins to throw it to...

I don't think they should HAVE to... That said, I think it is advisable for assistants to teach... I don't think it makes any sense to make head coaches teach. With all that goes into both teaching and coaching these days, it is nearly impossible for someone to do a quality job as both a teacher and a HEAD coach. You wind up with one of three things... 1) A quality coach but less-quality teacher, 2) A good teacher but less impressive coach, or 3) an ill-prepared teacher AND coach. Of course, a happy medium is currently used by a lot of districts... Assign them some sort of building responsibilities that don't require all the extra planning and paperwork (ISS, PASS, Dean of Students, etc.).

Coach - have they replaced the surface (turf)? It is pretty rough, from what I hear.

As an attendee at one school, why would she expect to be able to play sports at another school? She can absolutely participate in youth leagues, AAU, and organizations developed by home-schooled parents. She just can't do these things at schools where she is not enrolled.Further, she can socialize with whomever she chooses. But, I don't think we should expect public schools to let her in the cafeteria during lunch to shoot the breeze with her friends. I don't see why athletics should be any different.

Probably the best hire they could have made... Still kind of surprised he finally made move - seemed to have a great situation there in Mason County. Mercer has some pieces, though... As well as a good foundation for a staff - wonder how many he will keep?