BigRedTopp11

Mercer being a "genuine" Mr. Football contender might be a little of a stretch... but I like Logan here. Adler has done an amazing job with that staff and had some amazing football players the past few years. This District is really a 2 team race with one dark horse and 2 clean ups. Logan and Hopkinsville are 1 and 2. Madisonville could make a push when McAdoo is full go; him and Hightower will be a good 1-2 punch to finish the season. Hop Central is a little unclear to me, totally new team after losing that QB. I don't think their a great team, but they've won some games. Bad team playing bad teams. Calloway is bad. Have a lot of freshmen playing on Fridays. A bad/young team playing some pretty good teams.... Should be a good battle for first place between these two.

I heard Mayfield didn't even suit up Starks. Let's be honest; Calloway is currently supporting a JV roster. If I remember correctly, they have six seniors and are starting multiple freshmen. I think Calloway might be able to make some noise in the future, but going to be a long season this year.

I have been critical but I will be first to admit that McCracken put up more of a fight against Mayfield than I expected. Yes, Mayfield had a lotttt of JV kids in early, but its still impressive to get your kids to fight against Mayfield knowing the situation

I will agree with that part, I do know for a fact that he had a lot of outside noise and administration crossing the line at PT.

I did and I misspoke. Not issue with school, with decision. Like I said, Smith is a good coach. A good coach with a decent floor. That is my issue. Smith will win 5-7 at McCracken. He will not take them to the next level. From watching him at Paducah, I believe the ceiling is low. That's just my opinion; and yes I know what they say about opinions.

Matt is a good friend of mine and is a great principal. Sivills is a fantastic basketball coach and even better person. Hobbs is a good baseball coach and is great in the schools. We have the best athletic trainer in the area. I have no real "issue" with the school. As I said, I think the reasons I've been given and reasons I've heard for the hire is the issue.

I just did...

I know of at least 4 coaches in this area that applied for the position. One couldn't even get a reply from the Athletic Director. One was told he did not have any head coaching experience. One was told he didn't have enough head coaching experience. The other, I don't know what his flaw was. McCracken's program is definitely down; but a 6A program will always have options. Compare that facility to anywhere else in this area and it's at the top, two at the lowest. Smith is a good coach, I can't argue that one bit. He is a proven winner and I am confident he will turn us around and back to a good football team. (6-8 wins a year). I even like him as a person; good guy. My issue is the school. It was convenient and very easy to hire. He was already in the building, but I think the biggest reasoning is to help lessen the blow of transfers to PT. Think; he was the coach there, he has relationships with those younger athletes still; he could easily be the reason a few players end up back at McCracken. Smart move, I get it... but still seemed like the lazy/easy hire.

Not at Smith; great coach. More towards the Board and School. He was picked because he was supposedly the safest option and would take the program to a .500%+ win percentage immediately. Close, a name PT kids would also know, and experienced. I was ok with their pick; I completely disagreed with their logic behind it though.

"He's the safe pick guys"

Mayfield is insane on the defensive side of the ball. This will be the usual this season.

It's the Top 4... then everyone else.

Mayfield by a mile.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-stars-started-petition-ban-174717471.html Now, this isn't science, but I think it does show at least a concern. "16 teams play on natural grass and 16 teams play on turf. Of the 16 turf teams, 13 of them were among the top 16 teams injuried."

Over the past few years, turfs have caused a lot more injuries then natural surfaces... even with that being a statistic, it just doesn't make sense to have grass, keep it up, keep it painted, and all the other burdens that come with that. Turf should be at any school that has the ability to do so. Football, Boys Soccer, and Girls Soccer can all use it and benefit.

He obviously is moving schools for the grades guy. He met the guidance counselors and they gave him the best path for his education ?

PT is rollllling in the dough right now... as long as they don't make someone mad.

Agreed. Marshall County has completely turned into a basketball and soccer school. I'm not sure if it is a culture thing in the system or if it just the kids not liking contact like they used to... Sorry to sound like a 90 year old man in the movies, but I just remember Marshall was always a bunch of tough ol' boys back in the day. I believe McCracken can easily become THE football team in the area. Unfortunately, McCracken's best span football wise was when Coach Smith was a PT and the money man was on board.... now PT has the money man and McCracken has Coach Smith. Straight swap there.... I do believe McCracken can still be a football school, it's just going to take the right guy to spark the flame in the kids and the community.

"sexier" hire** sorry for the bad grammar

For sure wouldn't have been my first choice, but most likely the safest choice. A few of the other coaches who applied would have been a "sexier" higher or a more exciting hire, but Coach Smith is a good coach and will keep the program good in Western Kentucky, but I believe that is the ceiling for this one. I'm all in and ready to see how he pans out, but this was completely the "safest and experienced" hire. Low ceiling, very high floor.

Illegal? Yes. An issue? No. It happens in business every single day. It happens on the housing market, it happens in fortune 500 companies, it happens in college and the NFL, and yes it happens in good ol' Western Kentucky. Every situation is different, but majority of jobs are filled before they are posted. Someone who has worked there 20+ years with no issues getting a rehire should not be an issue.

Agreed. Fantastic hire! I am really impressed with Mayfield for giving this retired old guy a shot! I know he's been retired a while, but I know those awesome school videos will get him caught up in the school system quickly. The big question, can he coach? I'm excited to see what this guy can do!

Joe Morris will be the head football coach at Mayfield this upcoming fall. Mayfield is waiting on his 90 day retirement period to end. Joe is waiting for his 90 day to end and a fat offer of cash. Mayfield has waited too long to bring in a fresh face.

I would take Smith or Lawson over Lewis if I wanted to maximize potential at McCracken. Lewis did nothing spectacular when he was handed the reigns at Trigg and he had one of the best athletes in the area the past 10 years in that Quarterback. I'd take the successful coach (Smith) on my staff if I wanted to keep it in house; or I would look at one of the other guys I mentioned to start fresh.

Yes, exactly right... Accepted the Hop Town job on paper and accepted the Academy job with a good ol boy handshake.