bruin66

Former Trinity head coach Kevin Wright is the head coach at IMG.

Congratulations to Coach Shipley for weathering the storm of a school split a few years ago and having a couple of rough years. He and the administration of Shelby Co. stayed the course, and it has been for the benefit of the program.

Here is an actual stat that many either do not realize or wish to acknowkedge: In Glaser's last year, the starting QB (Austin Gahafer) passed for a completion percentage of over 65%. Wolford has yet to have a QB pass for even close to 60%. The perception of Glaser's offense is somewhat different than the reality of it. Was it perfect? No. But the basis of it should be in facts instead of perceptions. The facts are that, based on completion percentage, that in Glaser's last season, he actually had a more effective pass offense than Wolford has in any of his three years at the helm.

I agree. I think you can add to that scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Glaser's teams had very good success in short yardage and red zone opportinities. When they got there, they usually came away with 7 points.

What is sad is his perception that these are "either-or." It is quite possible to be very successful academically and very successful in the football field. St. X should strive for excellence in both endeavors.

It wasn't just Walsh. None of the assistant coaches on Glaser's staff were interviewed for the job. There were several of them (Bruner, Chitwood, McCue, Walsh) who would have been quality candidates and who had "paid their dues" as an actual varsity high school football coach (unlike Wolford). To my knowledge, no one was actually interviewed. As far as I know, Wolford was approached, asked to take the job, and accepted it. The fact that that could actually happen at a program with the tradition of St. X completely baffles me. As I have stated in other threads in the past, it is not entirely Wolford's fault. He simply accepted a job that was offered to him. What is CRAZY is that he was offered the job in the first place with no varsity experience or no other experience higher than that. His only coaching experience was 2 years of freshman assistant and one or two years of grade school.

That is a very good point. Successful PROGRAMS are built from the ground up and focus on player development through fundamentals. While some disagreed with the system that was run at times, Glaser built the St. X program this way. While there were tweaks from year to year, the fundamentals on offense, defense, and special teams that were taught did not change. That allowed average players to get better over time. Through reps over a 4 year period of time, players made progress. That is what I don't currently see from Wolford: Player Development. But it is hard to develop players when the system changes every year.

Here is the major question that I would love to hear opinions on: Is the St. X program is better or worse shape now than when Wolford found it?

Maybe one or two other times: first Trinity game and the PRP game.

Watch their games! All three of your above-mentioned coaches utilize the TE quite often in their shotgun and spread sets. Your comments are simply not based on fact. Do they use a TE all the time? NO. But they have that capability and choose to implement it in a regular basis when the situation warrants. I am not saying that a TE must be used on every snap. All I am saying is that to NEVER use a TE is unsound, not smart, and bad coaching.

I am not saying that everything they do is bad. Quite the contrary. I like a lot of what they do. Just not in short yardage, red zone, and bad weather. Case in point, the Tigers had the opportunity to score 42-49 points against Manual. They moved the ball at will up and down the field. However, they got stopped 4 times inside the red zone and had to either settle for field goals or got stopped on downs. They ended up with 27 points instead. Against more quality opponents, that lack of red zone production loses games. A 13 year NFL veteran should know better.

I saw an even bigger problem with the running game than with the passing game as the year went on, especially against good teams. The Tigers accumulated less than 100 yards rushing in both Trinity games, the Male game, and the Cincinnati St. X game. That just does not cut it against good opponents.

I agree with your assessment of those two blocking schemes being sound in those situations. However, I strongly disagree with the formations from which those plays are run in those situations. 100% shotgun and no TE's is simply not smart or effective in the above-mentioned situations. That is the time to deploy multiple TE's, perhaps a fullback, and possibly place the QB under center. Just watch Trinity's offense. That is what they do in those situations. They are able to spread it out when they want to and get in multiple TE's when they want to.

That team was set up to win, and he failed miserably to produce with it.

I agree with many of your points, LTR, especially about the administration not acknowledging the hidden requirements of the job. I do disagree, however, with your assessment of the current offense being run. It just does not fit the personnel that the school is currently getting, and it does not have answers for short yardage, red zone, and bad weather. I think many of their concepts are good, but it is not a complete offense to handle situations that happen very often in games.

There never was a bloom. There wasn't even a bud on that rose.

The state of the program is definitely in flux now. There is a head coach with no prior coaching experience who is trying to find his way. He has made numerous errors with regard to overall philosoply, coaching staff, placement of personnel, game management, and developing a consistent offensive philosophy which fits the personnel that he must deploy. Defensively, a philosophy has been set and in place for the past two years. A big concern for the program is the lack of difference-making athletic talent that is currently not coming into the program. Bottom line is that this past season was Year 3 of the Wolford era. That is the year that progress should be demonstrated; it was not. The program is definitely in worse shape now then when Wolford took over.

This score shows that a team does not necessarily have to run shotgun, no TE's, and no huddle all the time to have an explosive offense. There are many ways to be effective, move the ball, and score points.

If he turned it down, it is a shame. He could have done great things there.

Telling stat: In games vs. Trinity, Male, and Cincinnati St. X, the Tigers offense failed to produce 175 yards of offense in each game.

Additionally, I have no idea why Trinity would have their starters in the game late in the 4th quarter with the victory securely in hand. They have potentially 3 more big playoff games to play, and it makes no sense to me to subject those players to potential injury with nothing to gain. It does not bother or offend me, but it just makes no logical sense. Furthermore, it would seem to be a good time to get some seniors who do not regularly get to play on this stage an opportunity to get some game time as a reward the the hard work they have put into the program. To each his own, I guess . . . .

Trinity played well. They made some outstanding catches vs. tight coverage early in the game in some critical situations. The scrambling ability of the Trinity QB and the receivers effectively running the scramble drill was very good and made a difference in the game in the first half. The St. X defense hung in there early in the game, especially against the run. Trinity made some plays in the passing game with various quick screens and fake screens. But the bottom line was the St. X offense was completely ineffective. Untimely interceptions plagued the Tigers, but an overall lack of production hurt worse. The running game was nonexistent. Trinity dared the Tigers to throw the ball deep, but the Rocks were able to match up in coverage. Basically, there was nowhere for the St. X QB to go with the ball, thus resulting in numerous sacks and interceptions. Also, it was disappointing to see St. X have to take numerous timeouts on special teams due to players missing the teams. In my opinion, the 6A state championship game will be next week at Male High School between the Bulldogs and the Shamrocks.

It is truly sad that the list of current coaches who have been at their respective schools is that small.

For St. X to have a reasonable chance to win, they will need to generate in the neighborhood of 300 yards of offense (in any combination of run or pass), score touchdowns in the red zone, win (or at least tie) the turnover battle, limit big plays on defense, and win the special teams. From strictly a personnel standpoint, they are a bit of an underdog. Do they have a chance to win? YES! Will they? Thats why they lace the cleats up on Friday night!!!