GCHS

I don't know... They have struggled to meet expectations lately, but, historically, Tilghman has been a really good program for a long time. Honestly, though, this could be my old-fartish bias against the "newcomer" LexCath. lol

True... And now, I think Central Hardin is definitely a good job, as well.

Any word? I have heard people insinuating that the committee blew the French deal.

Never understood the negative stigma around MS coaches... I guess there is a belief that MS guys don't have as good a knowledge-base. That may be true for assistants, as it is hard to find quality guys who are willing to coach for no pay, but I have known A LOT of MS HCs who knew as much or more than most of the HS assistants I have known. Plus, a MS HC has the experience of actually running a program, from an administrative standpoint, albeit on a smaller scale - something most coordinators haven't done. Dealing with POs, accident reports, evaluations, boosters, parents, etc. Those are not insignificant parts of a HS HC's job. In fact, I would argue that more HS HC's fail because of deficiencies of administrative skills than on the field issues. The only way I would see a MS HC as being at a clear disadvantage to a HS OC/DC is that they might not have a network to build a great staff, but that is a case-by-case issue. To me, seems like a quality MS HC would warrant at least as much of a look as a OC/DC. That said, if you have a chance at 1) Larry French or 2) Ray Graham, and you hire a MS, instead, you are idiots. JMHO.

Good analysis, Jumper. Anyone else have any additions?

IDK if I can ever remember a year where more storied and/or possible big-time programs have changed coaches. My take on the biggest: 1. Highlands 2. Paducah Tilghman 3. LexCath 4. Russell 5. Tie Southwestern/Madison Central I think Whitley and LCA are possibly really good jobs, too. Lotta change.

Sorry... Guess I missed it. I have no idea who the favs are, nor have I heard anything about Coach French. Just saw it was open and was surprised there hadn't been more discussion.

I know that coach Nelson is really high on Smith. My impression (with no inside info) is that Brandon was being groomed. Maybe this was done to keep him at S. Warren, rather than going to Madison Central???

Not sure if he will be able to do it the same way at Central, but when he was at Boyle, he really lightened up the non-district schedule for a while.

I have seen some comments on this search in a couple of other threads, but haven't really heard anything lately, or seen another thread about this... Would think this could be a pretty desirable job - anyone have any information? My apologies if I missed this thread, somehow.

I don't know why UK would tarnish his legacy. All he did was pump out All-SEC players as the linebackers coach, and recruit some of the highest rated classes in UK history, to that point, as recruiting coordinator. Not to mention 5 straight bowl games. He was part of the period of greatest sustained success in UK FB history, besides Bear Bryant. Nothing to be ashamed of.

I think something that has hurt rural numbers is the onset of middle schools. Think about it, before middle schools, you had youth leagues. Those teams would have 4,5, or 6 teams at that age level, depending on the size of the league - with 15-20 kids on the team. You are talking 60-120 6th-8th graders, most getting some playing time. Few middle schools match that number, probably because kids aren't stupid - and many figure out they aren't going to play a lot - so they focus on other things. Some may make the argument that it just separates the wheat from the chaff earlier, but I would argue that a lot of kids don't really develop until they are sophomores anyway. Limiting the number of kids playing earlier cuts the number of candidates later, IMO.

I would say: Chester Ford Jeremy Britt Take your pick from the Kinley brothers (I would take Ben) & Kelvin Turner I don't go back very far.

Ed Rall is the real deal... Great coach, great teacher, and an even better man. I would charge Hell with a water pistol for that guy!

FWIW, I would have taken Julius over Dennis in HS...

Something else to think about... A lot of head coaches make just as much money on extended days as they do from the base salary.

Don't know how Belfry & Sheldon Clark did this, but a lot of these games are organized by an outside company. The company arranges the game, promotes it, takes out insurance, etc., for a cut of the ticket sales. There is very little "skin" in the game for the programs/schools. The same probably can't be said for the "players.":ohbrother:

Davian Logan, 6'4 320 Lb. OL/DL at Garrard County. Good feet, good motor, & smart. Boyle County has a really athletic young QB - can't remember his name. Mercer County has a young receiver/DB (will be a Jr.) named Layne Peavler. Small, but quick and has great instincts.

Pardue was hit by a perfect storm in his first HC job... Talent was down, schedule was a murderers row, etc. If you go back and look at his district/playoff records, they were good. Boyle is still a county school - not exempt from the normal cycles in talent.

West Jessamine should be a W -- by a comfortable margin. Dunbar's program is really bad... It will take a while to build something there. Central Hardin is a threat. They have good athletes and run "the System." Anderson will be tough. Think they will beat Danville. The rubber match will be ACS.

The only other Lex school they play besides Catholic is Dunbar -- who is not very good. Mercer got them on a running clock last season. Paul Rains is a good coach, don't know if he is that good. There are so many systemic issue in FCPS that throw up roadblocks for coaches.

He is really good. Not sure I would go along with the best EVER from Kentucky. Not even the best in my lifetime, I don't think. Being at Madison Southern, he doesn't generally play against top competiton.

West Jessamine has a good one, too. Can't remember his name... Big, punishing kid.

The Harris kid at Madison Southern is the best player ever at that school, IMO.

Bourbon will have a kid named Brent Holman (Jr.) who is pretty good. Hasn't really been showcased because there was some other kid there the last two seasons. lol Don't think he is "the" best, but a lot of people will be surprised by him, this year.