ChiefSmoke

This is a really good start. When we do Mr. Football on our podcast, you are the guy I go to and you are always on target! ?

The episode comes out tonight. Lots of what has been posted here made it into our answer. Appreciate you guys and BGPreps!

We talked to Coach Josh Abell for our podcast after he resigned from Fern Creek. He was very complimentary of the Fern Creek Administration. Chuck asked hm why there are so many open HFC jobs in JCPS. He said JCPS is plagued w/ solving the problems of Louisville. And...."starts w/ better leadership and more support for athletics as a whole." Coach Abell is looking to get into administration. Would love to see him in a JCPS role where he could impact HS football across the city. He is knowledgeable, experienced and genuinely cares about the kids. I am choosing to be optimistic about the future of JCPS football.

Kenan McWhorter did a super job for us this fall. He was an All American at Georgetown. Knows his stuff and builds rapport with kids at a very high level. If they offer him the job, he will enjoy success and those kids will have an exceptional HS Football experience.

Speaking at your banquet this November was a huge honor for me. Corky and I go back 30 years. Wonderful man and coach. I know you guys will hang tough. Appreciate you and what you do for the kids in Lewis County. I always get a kick out of all the "innovation" fuss over Dan Campbell, Ben Johnson, etc... going for it on 4th down. Corky Prater was doing that against me on his own 10 yard line over 20 years ago! And, often, they would get it! He would tell me, "Dave, you guys are gonna score from your 10 or ours when you get the ball. We had nothing to lose." I tell you what, that strategy could keep them in the games against teams with much more talent. He was trying to squeeze more bodies in the phone booth and was dang good at it. I hope you are not angry with me for mentioning Lewis Co. Football. Being next door to you for 19 years, I was always impressed with how you fought and navigated the obstacles you faced. Nothing but respect from me. ?

Coach Kevin Wallace....

This is really not my world, so I know I don't understand very well... but can anyone explain to me why these guys got fired? I really don't get it. Does a guy really get fired over a missed FG, or a botched Interception call? Or, after one season? Pete Carroll John Harbaugh Sean McDermott Kevin Stefanski Raheem Morris These are really good coaches who have invested a ton of work and there is reason to believe good things would have happened had they remained. I don't doubt that there were problems for all of them with their teams. We all have them. I would just think these guys are too good and too much is invested to blow up the continuity. I would admit that I value continuity more than most. In addition to WHY these guys got fired. If you believe it was a good decision to fire them, I would be curious to hear your answer... and I would appreciate it.

The demands on core content teachers is much different than when I got into teaching in 1988. It would be really tough to teach a full load of core content and be the head coach right now. I would do it if I had to, but I think I would hit the wall much quicker and run out of gas.

Dang. Drone parents. Whole other level. Lol. So far, I've been fortunate over the 33 years. Most of the parents have been super. It has been nice to get to brag on the parents at the banquet every year. But, I hear some bad stuff. And, my assistants this fall had some crazy stories about stuff going on with our opponent's head coach and their fans/parents. Not good at all.

Got some news.... but bigger news on the way. Coach Mikie Benton is headed to a bigger school to be their DC. He has offers to go be a head coach, but for his long range professional goals, he wants to see the workings of a bigger program from the perspective of an assistant. He wants to be able to run a bigger program as the head coach someday. His old college coach(Chuck Smith) pushed him to tell us where he was going! Lol. He would not tell us. But, he did say that he would give us a heads up before it was announced. He says the decision was a shock to him when he was fired. My opinion, I think it was really tough for him/hurt him when it happened. But, I think NOW, he is really proud and happy with what the program accomplished during his time. Overall, I think he is bouncing back and excited for the future. On a sidenote...being the head coach in your hometown is a great experience, but it is TOUGH. He has advice for other guys looking to be head coach in their hometown and I thought he was on target. Will be a great episode when we get it out there!

Same haircut also! ??

Will not call it “life changing. “ But it is confirming a direction I have been moving in has some huge positives. Just getting started, but right now…. Would recommend. If anyone has read it and has some thoughts, would enjoy hearing what you think.

The plan is to knock out 4 episodes this week. Josie Ruth says our BEST content comes from the BGPreps crowd. Appreciate the help. You guys make the podcast MUCH better!

Sure. Lots of issues. Not easy at all. I just think people alot smarter than me with AI can figure this out. They can find a better way. A huge honor for me this year was getting to speak at the Lewis County Football Banquet. Those folks are fighting to keep their program. I would hate to see those kids lose an opportunity to play HS football. I am wrong often. ? My biggest HOPE that I am WRONG... is if we continue down the path we're on, alot of schools are going to give up their football program. I would hate to see kids lose that opportunity. But... if I am wrong....that would be super.

Just starting with the shape of the state, Kentucky is a tough to figure out when it comes to athletics and a good way to do it. But, doesn't mean we can't look for a better way. I don't like the multiplier, but I appreciate that they are looking for ways to make it better for kids.

This is great info. I don’t know if what I suggested earlier is the best approach or not. And, I change my mind often. But, the first airplane was not real safe either. Most all procedures, formulas, etc. can be improved. I do like the WV idea better than bumping schools up a class because they win a lot. Of course, most who are at the top of the status quo would not support reform. No brainer. I hope I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings from Lewis Co. because I love that place. Corky Prater is a great friend and excellent football coach. That county is huge. It can take some of those kids almost an hour to get to practice. Economic resources are scarce. If KY were to have system that let them play in a classification against schools with similar obstacles, the powerhouses would be fine.

Got these for every coach in our program, K-12. Helping each coach be their absolute best… that grows Bearcat ?. ? Our TCOP coaching tree has cranked out some elite ? coaches. Give me some feedback on the form. What do you like, dislike…. Can make it better!

I really appreciate that they acknowledge things are out of wack right now and can use some adjusting. Not a huge fan of the multiplier for winning, but will admit that does ultimately take into account some of the areas of imbalance. Mac Yocum and Elden May did a really good study on the correlation of resources & size of the county to football success. I would be interested to see the following... Schools classified for football based on... -Resources -Where they draw their students (in and/or outside of district lines) -Free & Reduced lunch -Enrollment of boys With the advent of AI these days, that would absolutely be doable. Regardless, I know there are some awful good people on the Board of Control. And, despite the many issues we have disagreed on over the years, Julian Tackett has done an awful lot for KY HS Football, and no one can dispute that. Bottom line... appreciate their efforts and wish them the best as they do the very best they can for KIDS.

I like this alot and wanted to go straight to it.... The answer to this question(for me) is that you work your guts out when you are in that role until the very last moment you are no longer the head coach. After you have taken the new job, who you are and what you have done.... it is what it is. It is too late at that point. Over the years... am I a good coach, etc.... people can argue that, hate your offense/defense, hate your personality, like/dislike your uniforms... the list goes on and on and on..... But... these areas should be a slam dunk - he never USED a kid to win; he used football to HELP kids. - he worked like a mad man when he was in that role and gave us his very best effort. - he was FAIR. For the most part over the past 33 years, relatively speaking, we have not had a lot of parental issues. I believe it is because of these 3 items and we work hard at communicating expectations as well practice times/schedules well in advance. Man... I sure wish I had a state championship ring. And, I am not giving up hope that it will happen someday. There is no doubt in my mind that we CAN do it at Anderson County. BUT, I am thankful that every single parent or former player that I see after my time coaching them is over, I can absolutely look them in the eye and know that they got my very best in terms of effort and doing what was right. Now, they still may not like me and that is ok. But, at that point, that's their issue. Somewhat fascinating... over the years, some of the best relationships I have had is with guys I had to dismiss from the team. Those guys know, without question, as a person, they were more important to me than football and winning.

As a coach, what has been your approach to "attitude adjustments"? Sometimes some kids have a hard time getting along with certain other players on the team. Sometimes there are some issues respecting the authority of coaches/officials. Sometimes players end up showing a tendency to get into tussles at practice, or sometimes they get into tussles with with players on the other teams. Sometimes players get fired up and end up getting a little mouthy questioning a call they didn't like on the field by the officials, or questioning a coach's playcall during the game. What situations just call for some extra go-go's after practice vs. a little time sitting on the pine vs. a straight-up "Come To Jesus" in the coaches office? This will be our February Tough Topic. Will release on the first Thursday of the month. Thank you @Colonels_Wear_Blue !

We will answer this for our Tough Topic in episode #1 that will come out, Thursday, 1/22 at 7:30 pm. We enjoy getting content from BGPreps! So.... tell us what you think.... Why are there so many head football coach positions open in KY right now?

Got to meet with William today, a couple of his coaches as well, and see the Cardinals work out. These guys are excited about 2026. Was also first time I have been in the new Taylor County HS. Very impressive. Junior Higdon had a vision for Taylor County Schools and it is becoming a reality. That place is about to boom! Very cool to see someone's dream come true like it has for William. He loves being the head coach at Taylor County HS and working with those kids. Also.... was good to visit with Wes Oliver not have to stop him with the dang rock under his arm. Good grief, he could sure play some football!

Maybe it was a mistake... but this is a great example of why I never worried a whole lot about the current district/class when taking a job. It can change quickly. The best approach(for me) is take a job where everyone is committed to being the best they can be, then let it play out however it plays out. Some mountains are bigger than others. Some places take more time to turn around than others. And... nothing wrong with that. Big challenges are one of the best parts of coaching, and life in general.

Would love to see old #5 as the HFC of the Hounds. Cory Dumphord. He knows how to win and he loves the orange & black. He is currently the Head MS Coach. Paris is a special place & Cory would be the perfect fit to lead the program.

I reached out to a wonderful old friend today to check on him. He is in a vicious, tough battle with illness that continues to worsen. He asked me for a powerful prayer for him to read before he goes to bed. The best news is that he is a follower of Jesus Christ. Here is the prayer I sent him. I hope it can encourage someone else who is facing a similar battle. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that tonight I know.... the ultimate victory was won by Jesus Christ there is nothing in the night that I will face that will be bigger than you there is nothing in my path that will be an obstacle that you can't handle Tonight, I ask in your perfect will and in your enormous strength for both healing and peace that can come ONLY through you. Help me that as the sun goes down, I can REST in YOU because YOU said that your YOKE was light. In this moment, I ask you for that light Yoke that will bind me to you. Every step for me between now and when I am in your Eternal presence, I pray that I will be Yoked with you and that I will be AWARE of your presence in each moment, especially the ones that are toughest and the ones that scare me the most. Thank you Lord, that my current circumstances have ZERO bearing on my eternity. Thank you that my eternity is secured because of the blood of Jesus Christ and that there is NOTHING that can separate me from HIM. No illness. No pain. John 14:2 John 16:33 Your word assures me that you have a place for me. Your word assures me that you have overcome everything I will face. I claim your word and hide it in my heart. Praise you Lord and thank you for what you have done for me. Amen