ChiefSmoke

Mercer County Titans

Little Caesar's Fort Harrod Bowl, 1st Saturday @ Mercer Boyle vs. John Hardin Mercer vs. Harrison PBK Rebel Bowl, 2nd Saturday @ Boyle Mercer vs. Franklin Boyle vs. Waggener

Nick Saban agrees with @TheDeuce & @mcpapa Nick Saban: "I think when we created the playoff, which all of you wanted to do and all of you wanted to make it four teams, and now all of you want to make it eight teams, and then pretty soon all you guys are going to want to make it 16 teams, the only focus is on the playoff," Saban said. "But when we all started this, however many years ago it was, I said that you're going to diminish the importance of other bowl games in college football, which has happened. All anybody talks about is the playoff. We have a whole bunch of other bowl games that people don't think are all that important. So if you don't think it's important, all of a sudden the players don't think it's important. So you can't really blame the players. "We created this. We created this. It used to be to go to the Rose Bowl, when you played in the Big 10, that was the ultimate experience you could have. When you played in the SEC, going to the Sugar Bowl was that same thing and when you played in the Big 12, it was going to the Orange Bowl. Those things don't exist anymore. We have a playoff and everybody is interested in the playoff. Nobody is interested in anything else. So now that that's trickled down to the players, how could you blame the players for that? I can't blame the players for that." Nick Saban blames advent of CFP for players choosing to skip bowl games | AL.com

That is funny! LOL

We got a playbook in the mail one time. I was at Mason County and we were receiving the Russell playbook! We sent it back....didn't even copy it first. http://www.afmservers.com/share/?p=3929

Merry Christmas!

In the "Beating a Dead Horse" Category and in celebrating Festivus.... here is your old school bowl slate....... Sugar : Alabama vs. Ohio State (defacto National Championship game) Rose: Washington vs. Penn State Orange: Oklahoma vs. Clemson Cotton: Texas A & M or Houston(bottom has dropped out on old SWC) vs. Michigan Fiesta: USC vs. Wisconsin or Florida State

http://bluegrasspreps.com/college-football/back-to-the-293047.html#post6158732

Nick Saban: "I think when we created the playoff, which all of you wanted to do and all of you wanted to make it four teams, and now all of you want to make it eight teams, and then pretty soon all you guys are going to want to make it 16 teams, the only focus is on the playoff," Saban said. "But when we all started this, however many years ago it was, I said that you're going to diminish the importance of other bowl games in college football, which has happened. All anybody talks about is the playoff. We have a whole bunch of other bowl games that people don't think are all that important. So if you don't think it's important, all of a sudden the players don't think it's important. So you can't really blame the players. "We created this. We created this. It used to be to go to the Rose Bowl, when you played in the Big 10, that was the ultimate experience you could have. When you played in the SEC, going to the Sugar Bowl was that same thing and when you played in the Big 12, it was going to the Orange Bowl. Those things don't exist anymore. We have a playoff and everybody is interested in the playoff. Nobody is interested in anything else. So now that that's trickled down to the players, how could you blame the players for that? I can't blame the players for that." Nick Saban blames advent of CFP for players choosing to skip bowl games | AL.com

Lol. Merry Christmas Clyde!

As fans we see it as a sport and want it to be that way. In reality, big time college football is a business and both the coaches and players are making business decisions. As fans, we don't have to like those decisions.

I don't like it when the coach leaves before the bowl game. Good point.

I didn't realize some of these guys skipping the bowl may be dealing with injuries. In that case, sitting out is what they should do. Depending on the severity, the head coach may recommend they sit out. Very different scenario as opposed to those guys being healthy.

If it is ok for a player to sit out a bowl game, it should also be ok for a coach to ask at the beginning of the season...."who may make the decision to sit out a bowl game to prep for the draft?" The coach could make the argument that he wants to prepare his team to win every game, and will need to make sure he gets additional players reps at that position. If skipping the bowl game is fair, then it is fair for a coach to get other guys ready to play that position.

Coach Young and his staff have done a great job bringing this Mercer group along in such a short period of time. I can't imagine becoming the head coach of a team a month before the season starts. Go Titans!

Coach Biggs is doing a great job with a young team. I enjoyed being back in the Fieldhouse last night to watch the Royals. These guys have a very bright future!

I think this quote is applicable: If you win, your enemies can't hurt you, and if you lose, your friends can't stand (help) you. - Bear Bryant Because of my Dad being a HS football coach, I was blessed to be around some of the great ones. Coach Roy Walton(Tates Creek/Lafayette) told me one time to never let myself get put in a spot where I need my boss to keep/protect my job. I think being the head coach makes you more vulnerable. Any other teacher, a transgression can be swept under the rug or even undetected. A lot of eyes are on the head coach. Many head coaches are put on a pedestal. Some people enjoy watching another person fall off the pedestal. My Dad wore a tie most days in the classroom. I usually wore a tie and still do most days in my current classified position. I have always felt like the head football coach has to try harder to demonstrate he is doing his non-coaching job and he is not just all about football. I also think if a coach expects his players to do right & work hard off the field, he should demonstrate / model the same. I don't miss being one of the bouncers in the hallways. I didn't realize how much energy that took until I no longer had to do that at Mercer. I still try to be present in the hallways, but it is much different/easier. It is really nice that I don't have to be that guy anymore. It is not fun/takes a toll. I have a bunch of respect for the coaches/teachers that are still fighting those battles so our kids can be in a safe environment that is conducive to learning.

Coach Donahue has done a great job there. When Stephanie's aunt lived in Loyall, I would sneak over to watch a workout or practice. As to why he is hanging it up, it is tough to stay some where for such a long time and especially in your hometown. My guess is that he just thought it was time for a change... for him and the school. Good luck to both!

I appreciate Jimmie Reed putting this together for the kids and coaches in Ky. One of my former players, Jordan Johnson, is the HC @ Waggener and was a coach for the Louisville team today. I had 4 former players on the field today (Jordan, Titans D Smith & Tyus Short , Royal Cameron O'Hearn.) I was proud of all 4 and thankful they had the opportunity. Thank you to St. X for hosting the game.

It doesn't bother me. I have been in their shoes many times. I understand that guy is trying to survive and keep his program afloat. He is trying to create positives for his kids. For that reason, we will wait later than most before we sub on defense. A team gets a couple quick scores... things can get crazy. You can't start to sub until you are 100% sure the game is won. If I am 100% sure that we have won, I try not to worry about them scoring as much.... other than I know the defense takes pride in a shut out. We try to protect the shut out, but not at the expense of losing a player for a game down the road. Like the Bear said.... when you have a game won, start working on winning the next one. Getting a starter hurt on a play after the game is won, does not help you win the next game. And.... I did it against Wayne County in the first game this season. I was criticized for not playing more kids after the game was out of hand. My response was...."did you see us play? We need the practice!!" What I did in that scenario was work on things that needed to be worked on, but try to protect bodies as well that were banged up. We had plenty to work on.

According to Coach Homer Smith, Bear Bryant said the best coaches start winning the next game after they had that game in hand. I take that to mean, whatever is best for your team is what you do. If a game is in hand, especially mid to late season, I like to protect bodies and get meaningful experience for our depth. I am not a big fan of scoring a bunch of points once a game is in hand. But, what is best for the guys I coach drives my decision making at that point in a game.

Bama & Clemson for sure. If Ohio State is in, doesn't Penn State have to get in? Won the conference title and beat OSU head to head.

Those were fun days. We are getting old @theguru!

[video=youtube;go1-okBq3LU] Please share! Great stuff here.

Congratulations to Coach Young and the Titans!