maxi6

I didn't say the coach taught the wrong leverage, they just did teach it correctly and they seem not to notice when the player does it incorrectly. As for the reads for the QB, the patterns determine the read. Throwing a ISO fade there is only one read, throw it or not. There is no alternate read. Also, the sequence of reads is the key. LC runs a lot of simultaneous read routes when sequential breaks would be easier for the QB. Also, the route break late. The QB had a good arm, but would have faired better throwing from the rollout and not in the pocket so much. I know the coaches mean well, but talent also applies to coaching and not just players. Coaches need to be developed. If the administration is not willing to change coaches then they need to invest some time and money improving what they have.

dr, I have heard alot about the lack of community and administration support. Do you really know what this means? You say that that is all this program needs, but again you are short on specifics. You mention the fans expected the quarterback to throw TDs every time and that the offensive line lacked desire. I guess all the fans need to do is provide "support" and magically the QB will complete more passes and the line begins to have desire. When challenged you like to personally attack folks. I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the program. It is coaching. coaches build desire, coaches call the plays that expect the QB to throw low percentage passes, it is the coaches that failed to build depth and experience over the past five years, it is the coaches that fail to build repsect, fail to properly discipline, fail to follow TSSAA rules. Don't tell us that it is the fans or supporters fault. What did the coach ask anyone to do that they did not do for the program? I don't want to hear about sharing a field with the band or how they got a new tower. Fundamental football can be taught is a vacant lot. I have seen many programs live and die on just playing talent and not developing talent. You like to say how good the freshman were this year, well that just proves the point about talent development. They were developed by the little league only to be used this year by the high school. the question is why can not the coaches at the high school make them better. I hate to second guess coaches, but it is very obvious that this staff is lacking in basic skills. They never adjusted their system to fit their talent (which they had plenty of talent). The best years I had while coaching high school and college, I had to adjust for the talent I had. While coaching high school, the only thing that kept me in the business was starting and using a freshman and jv program. I also spent a lot of time with the little league coaches (we did nto have a middle school program either) that feed into my program. I took them to coaching clinics and invited them to be on the sidelines or the box during my games. Soon they were good coaches developing good players for my program. I recruited players from within the school and other sports. (One year I was the assistant basketball coach so I could encourage BB players to play football for me). Once I had built the program, then community, admin, and school support began to rise. Players want to play for someone who is willing to work harder than they. You know, build it and they will come. At the college level, I could recruit talent, but what allowed us to win was the ability of the coaching staff to increase the players "desire" to work hard. I have seen many many games. LC problem IS coaching. Players are aligned incorrectly, they do not understand defensive reads, offensive linemen using wrong techniques, the defensive line using the wrong leverage. If it was just a few players, I would say maybe desire or talent, but when they almost to the man use the same incorrect techniques, that tells me someone is teaching them incorrectly. I know that there are several former college players as coaches, but I had many grad assistances who worked for me that were pretty good players, but could not coach for anything. I also had several dang good coaches who were just average players. If coach White is not getting good work form his coaches, then stand up and make the needed changes. What ever the issue, the head coach is responsible for everything the program does or fails to do (at least that's what my AD always told me).

dr, You sure are making friends fast. You have been critical of most of the folks commenting. Telling them they never played football or rode the bench. It sounds like you have a wealth of knowledge about running a football program. So step up. Let's hear how you would fix the Lenoir City situation. Be specific. Us unlearned need to know from someone that has the knowledge and experience on just what to do.

dr, You are talking about Lenoir City Tennessee aren't you? How can you say with a straight face that the LC program is on the way up? Is there a stat or record I am missing? I want to be fair. PLEASE be specific on the progress this coaching staff has made over the past five years. If I am wrong I will be the first to say so.

OK Reb, i'm a little confused on just where you feel the problem may be. First you tell me that LC has a good coach that knows how to build a program and that it is the nay sayers who are the problem. Then you go on to tell us that it is the discipline (or lack thereof) of the players and that they need to work more in the off season. Then it is the parent's fault for allowing kids to sit on the couch during the summer and cry. So tell me, what has this "good coach" done to build this program over the past five years? Has he inspired players to work harder, has he motivated parents to be involved, has he instilled discipline in the team, has he enthused the local community to new heights? How did the nay sayers get in his way? I would seriously like to know how the LC program is NOW better than it was five years ago. I do not mean just in wins and losses, but in the basic foundation of the program. Discipline, character, work ethic, ALL begin with leadership.

The purpose of a message board is to talk football (or any other sport) in the way we wish. The LC fans may blast, support, review, or critique THEIR program any way they desire. You may visit any other thread you if you do not like this one.

Hey folks, what's the deal? I heard from my LC buddy that the TSSAA has come down to visit LC a couple of times. What's going on?

It does help. Thanks for being honest. Question. When you say the administration, do you mean school or school system? Thanks

Coach, let us know why LC is a tough place to coach. Let us in on the secret.

It does take players, but coaches need to get the most from what they have. LC continues to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. (Einstein??™s definition of insanity). A few coaching ideas. Offense: Pass patterns are breaking at the same time and not sequentially. Teach the QB to make reads and not watch one receiver down the field. Satterfield can throw the ball, but the coaches are trying difficult passes. Simplify the routes. Offensive line: LC does not have the size to zone or head up block consistently. Trap, fold, cross,.....there are several options available. Anderson County was having a field day off the trap block. Defense: LC does not have the personnel to run the 4-3. Anderson County ran the 5-4 and successfully shut down the LC run game. LC could learn from this. Defensive backs are lost. They are missing reads and have problems lining up. Also, when teams are inside the 10 yard line, LC insists on staying in the 4 man line. Once they changed to a five front. Ever heard of a goal line defense? These are just a few examples of how coaches could get more out of the players they currently have on the team. You can not wish for what you do not have. Make the most of it. LC could be more competitive if only the coaches would adjust their scheme to match the personnel and not force a square peg into a round hole.

It goes back to developing talent. Now that LC is larger, they need to get the interest of more kids and then develop the talent so you have a bigger pool to pick from. Look to other sports. Loudon several years ago got two players (Queen, Senior and Laughlin, Junior) who never played HS football. The first year Queen was all region and Laughlin started on defense as an end. LC need sot go back to the days of multiple sport players, but the coaches do not work together to try this. Each coaches wants his player almost year around in their sport. I do like the fact that Coach White recruited a soccer player (Cook) to kick. The may be some more talent on the basketball or soccer teams (some of then girls look big too).

OK, you made a comment. If you were in charge of the money, what would you do to help the team win. Currently it looks like the coach has enough help, are you saying they need more money for more coaches. Their coaching supplements are much higher than at Loudon. Maybe it is quality not quantity. I know how tough it is to run a program with little money, but there are innovative ways to get money. First clearly identify the need, for example if you need money for coach education, then put together a plan, determine how much you need, and then either raise the money or ask boosters to support. Just like a business puts together a business plan before asking the bank to loan the money. No one wants to give money (even the administration) to a program that can not clearly identify the need. Another example, a near by program needed money to have coaches attend seminars or classes. The ask booster to give annually money to support this program. The families got to name the scholarship after the family and it is presented to the coach at the banquet every year. Everybody wins and it did not cost the school anything. We never have enough time or money, but good leaders know how to get the best from what they have.

Section 9 of the TSSAA rules allow up to three non-faculty assistant coaches for football.

LC has trouble stopping the run. The 4-3 depends on the linebackers for tackles and the linemen to keep the o line off the backers. I would suggest LC going to a 5-3 or 5-4 defense. Puts more pressure on the O line and puts more in the box. LC linebackers are too deep and only stop the run after large gains. We will see if LC adjusts against Anderson County.

OK My point is not that the head coach can go out a hire a teacher to be an assistant, my point is the administration does NOT tell the head coach which teacher must be an assistant. He does have the power to hire any teacher in the LC system to help and also have volunteers from the community. If he does not want one of his assistants, he has the power to fire them. The mark of a good leader is the people with whom he surrounds himself.

OK folks, let's get to the basics. I don't have a son on the team, so maybe I can speak with less emotion. There is plenty of blame to go around. It is easy to blame lack of talent, adminstration, or the coaches. All are factors. However, the head coach is responsible for all that the PROGRAM accomplishes or fails to accomplish. First, the administration. If the coach is trying to discipline players and the administration is not allowing it, then have the moral courage to stand up and do something about. If you are a leader of young men, you must be willing to show courage of conviction. If the coach is failing to discipline due to fear of losing a star player, then again, lack of moral courage. Example, team policy says if a player is punished in detetion hall, they will not start and lose playing time. During the game at Powell, a starter had D Hall twice during the previous week. He was held out the FIRST play of the game so he would not start, but then played the rest of the game. What was the lesson taught by the coaches. Did the coaches fear losing a star player so much that they comprised their own rules and their on honor? Next coaches. The head coach builds his own staff. He is not assigned coaches. However, many coaches may not have the skills needed to effective coach and teach players. If not, train them. They should dedicate themselves to self improve to the same extent they ask the players. Reading, clinics, seminars...etc. They must learn their craft. If summer workouts are "mandatory" for players, then educaiton must be mandaory for coaches. Talent. You do not get the good fortune to recruit talent in High School. You must develop it. Good coaches take average players and make them good and good player to be great. By playing just your good players, you never develop depth and young players quit. A good way to measure a program is not just the players that come in the front door, but why those go out the back door. Parents. Most parents will never complain if they feel coaches are honest to them and their kids. All they are looking for is a coach which allows players the opportunity to demonstrate their talents fairly. I know there are some that will never be satisfied, but most will fall in line if coaches are honest. Parents are great allies and can help coaches with discipline, raise money, work with the community, and numerious things to help build the program. Great coaches not only motivate players, but inspire parents. Coach Fulmer often says that when recruiting a player, he FIRST recruits the parents. Parents want to be part of the kids life, and great coaches have great relationships with parents. I do not understand this attitude that many young coaches have that parents are the enemy. LC needs to look at the heart and soul of the program. The LC coaching staff has lost the faith of many parents, adminstrators, players, and themselves. They have comprimised their honor as men. Their word is not always their bond. Players, parents, administrators, nor the community desire to be part of a program that fails to build the character of their kids. If you need a good example, just look up the raod to Bruce Pearl. He built a program, not just a team. He talked to parents, students, fans, and the players. He got them to buy into his program, not his wins and loses. They all feel part of something bigger than themselves. He develops players, not just on the court, but off the court. He takes interst in their school work, homelife, and well being as men. The LC coaches should take several pages from his system. LC is not a lost cause. The head coach is the leader. He must display leadership to restore faith, even in the face of defeat. Identify the shortcomings of the program, build consensus, and act with honor and integrity. Remember, the highest building in the world, must first dig deep and build a sound foundation.

Preach it "lcfootball". This is what I hear time and again from players. Nobody respects them because they don't tell the truth. One kid said that if the coach tells you something, you can bet the "exact opposite will happen."

Yes, there were several kids who played JV against Karns who did not get on the field against Powell bacause kids who normally start or play a whole lot on varsity were brought down to play JV. I guess the coaches felt they needed some kind of win. But we're back to playing the same kids both ways in both games, varsity and JV - don't know how that develops the team. Hope those kids who don't play freshman ball and don't get in a lot on varsity can keep their chins up and stick with it, because they are obviously not going to play much on JV.

All of North Middle's athletes, regardless of sport, funnel into Lenoir City High, with the exception of a couple here and there. If North wants to establish a football program, and I hear that they do, they will just do it. School board support (money) doesn't fund any sport at the school. The parents and the PTO and gate revenues do.

Go Panthers