Football
Friday, March 22, 2024
Long-time McKenzie football coach Wade Comer stunned many in the Tennessee prep football world
This my column regarding Wade Comer's departure that appeared in this week's Carroll County News-Leader and Camden Chronicle. Enjoy.
As you were...
Comer's stay in McKenzie was legendary
McKenzie football fans knew this day was coming.
But they didn't expect the jolt they felt Tuesday afternoon.
Long-time McKenzie High School football coach Wade Comer stunned many in the Tennessee prep football world by accepting the head coaching position at Milan, replacing Derek Carr, one of his former quarterbacks, who will take over the Lexington program.
So, was this a surprise? Well, yes and no. Comer often went on fishing expeditions to check his marketability after previous seasons ended. In 2009, it was feared Comer was going to assume the Dyersburg job, but he opted to remain at McKenzie. There was a concerted effort by MHS football followers to keep in red and gray at that time.
This time, things were different.
Was it the money? Possibly, but McKenzie supporters and administrators always seem to step up and open the purse strings for their coaches and programs.
Was the talent running out? Next year's Rebels have a real opportunity to win another gold ball and there are youthful prospects coming into the system.
Maybe it was the right opportunity at the right time to coach a program that was once legendary. Comer is nearing a point where he could draw his pension, so why not?
Let's face it, Milan was a once-prestigious program, having won four state titles between 1971 and 1998.
The Bulldogs always were in the hunt for a protracted post-season run. When legendary coach John Tucker stepped down with two gold footballs in tow, the program survived for while with Dan Bland at the helm and won a pair of state titles in 1997 and 1998. The Bulldogs won as 2A school in 1997 and as a 3A school year later.
But lean times often affect programs, even good programs like Milan. There had been a revolving door for coaches at Johnnie Hale Stadium and the Bulldogs haven't necessarily been as formidable as they were in decades past.
Milan may have just changed its fortunes. However, McKenzie just scrimmaged Milan recently and defeated the Bulldogs pretty well, 7-2, but it was noted that the baseball-playing football players aren't permitted to take part in spring practice. It's curious why Comer would make the jump. But it is a great opportunity for him.
Meanwhile, what is McKenzie going to do? The program has become one of the top Class A programs in West Tennessee with a lot of talent returning. I was talking to a colleague who was curious about this situation Tuesday afternoon and he correctly said that McKenzie will be able to have its pick of coaches.
I agree. The groundwork has been laid and the support is here. The powers that be at MHS have to make that home run hire. I've heard some names, but as of this writing, it's too early to speculate.
When Comer was hired as McKenzie's head coach, many area football coaches worried that a sleeping giant had awakened. Their fears were realized.
Comer has etched his legacy into the granite that is McKenzie High School football and I wish him well.
He's always been fair and accomodating to me and I'll always appreciate that. I'll always remember him showing up at my dad's funeral and offering my family his best and talking to me at length how he dealt with the loss of his father. Those are things you never forget.
Keep in mind, when coaches make moves like this, they are thinking about a lot of things, including making a living. I know there are a lot of people who are upset by his departure, but as former MHS baseball coach Jeremy Maddox told me when he announced he was going to Union City (to the chagrin of McKenzie fans), "Well, they are upset that I'm leaving. That's better than them wanting me gone."
And so it is with Comer.
Fans will have to accommodate a new regime after decades of consistency. The support of the administration is there, there is rabid fan support, McKenzie's athletic programs are doing well across the board.
McKenzie football is going to be fine.
It's just going to be a little different.
Jim Steele is a correspondent for Magic Valley Publishing.
As you were...
Comer's stay in McKenzie was legendary
McKenzie football fans knew this day was coming.
But they didn't expect the jolt they felt Tuesday afternoon.
Long-time McKenzie High School football coach Wade Comer stunned many in the Tennessee prep football world by accepting the head coaching position at Milan, replacing Derek Carr, one of his former quarterbacks, who will take over the Lexington program.
So, was this a surprise? Well, yes and no. Comer often went on fishing expeditions to check his marketability after previous seasons ended. In 2009, it was feared Comer was going to assume the Dyersburg job, but he opted to remain at McKenzie. There was a concerted effort by MHS football followers to keep in red and gray at that time.
This time, things were different.
Was it the money? Possibly, but McKenzie supporters and administrators always seem to step up and open the purse strings for their coaches and programs.
Was the talent running out? Next year's Rebels have a real opportunity to win another gold ball and there are youthful prospects coming into the system.
Maybe it was the right opportunity at the right time to coach a program that was once legendary. Comer is nearing a point where he could draw his pension, so why not?
Let's face it, Milan was a once-prestigious program, having won four state titles between 1971 and 1998.
The Bulldogs always were in the hunt for a protracted post-season run. When legendary coach John Tucker stepped down with two gold footballs in tow, the program survived for while with Dan Bland at the helm and won a pair of state titles in 1997 and 1998. The Bulldogs won as 2A school in 1997 and as a 3A school year later.
But lean times often affect programs, even good programs like Milan. There had been a revolving door for coaches at Johnnie Hale Stadium and the Bulldogs haven't necessarily been as formidable as they were in decades past.
Milan may have just changed its fortunes. However, McKenzie just scrimmaged Milan recently and defeated the Bulldogs pretty well, 7-2, but it was noted that the baseball-playing football players aren't permitted to take part in spring practice. It's curious why Comer would make the jump. But it is a great opportunity for him.
Meanwhile, what is McKenzie going to do? The program has become one of the top Class A programs in West Tennessee with a lot of talent returning. I was talking to a colleague who was curious about this situation Tuesday afternoon and he correctly said that McKenzie will be able to have its pick of coaches.
I agree. The groundwork has been laid and the support is here. The powers that be at MHS have to make that home run hire. I've heard some names, but as of this writing, it's too early to speculate.
When Comer was hired as McKenzie's head coach, many area football coaches worried that a sleeping giant had awakened. Their fears were realized.
Comer has etched his legacy into the granite that is McKenzie High School football and I wish him well.
He's always been fair and accomodating to me and I'll always appreciate that. I'll always remember him showing up at my dad's funeral and offering my family his best and talking to me at length how he dealt with the loss of his father. Those are things you never forget.
Keep in mind, when coaches make moves like this, they are thinking about a lot of things, including making a living. I know there are a lot of people who are upset by his departure, but as former MHS baseball coach Jeremy Maddox told me when he announced he was going to Union City (to the chagrin of McKenzie fans), "Well, they are upset that I'm leaving. That's better than them wanting me gone."
And so it is with Comer.
Fans will have to accommodate a new regime after decades of consistency. The support of the administration is there, there is rabid fan support, McKenzie's athletic programs are doing well across the board.
McKenzie football is going to be fine.
It's just going to be a little different.
Jim Steele is a correspondent for Magic Valley Publishing.
