ELA

WRONG... It's called "Heads Up Tackling" and it is being pushed by the NFL and the NCAA. The NFHS is taking the helmet out of the game by rule. Coaches must learn to teach their players not to use your helmet on either side of the ball.

Call the TSSAA office and ask them... it is the only way to know for sure.

It's tough for the kids and the football program. Jasper had climbed out of a deep dark hole and was respectable again. This is a huge setback. Let this be a lesson to all of us who coach... lead by example, teach fundamentals, and don't do stupid things in hopes of motivating players. Head coaches can't always control what their assistant coaches do but we are responsible for their actions when it effects our programs or draws unnecessary and negative attention to them. Hopefully, the next guy will right the ship and point them in the right direction.

Bob... Congratulations on a great season.

You old sea dog.... don't you have anything better to do?

Good luck coach...

Coach Bland is a great coach and he will be missed at Humboldt. If the rumors are true and he is headed to Trenton in 2013, they will greatly benefit from his years of experience.

Wardawg, my old friend... I think District 14A will be a nice place to coach with the addition of GCHS. It seems like a total NWTN district and I'm sure most everyone is happy with the composition of teams.

Most schools will not hire transitional certificates because they have to sign on to two or three years working with that teacher and schools will not commit to those terms and the paperwork unless it is in a shortage area. You can check out TEACH FOR AMERICA and if you qualify you will find a job very quickly.

The new proposed district alignment may make this an attractive program for some coaches. A school of this size should be able to compete at some level.

Let me start by saying I do not like the continuation of the current scheme; however, the districts don't look that bad with a quick glance at the proposed districts across the state.

Good luck to Coach Rewis and the Hickman County staff... Bob, I hope you get your win!

OSK24: We were there together from 96-99. It was a good staff and some great football players. Those were GOOD TIMES at SHHS! I miss those days and think about you guys all the time. Maybe you should coach? You could sure teach the boys how to play LB and LIFT!

Good luck to my son, Coach Jon Atkins and the Halls staff. I know this is an uphill struggle, there's no doubt WEST CARROLL is good. GO TIGERS!

Congratulations to the HALLS TIGERS and my son, Assistant Coach Jon Atkins for a big win over LC and a trip to the post season. Coach Hurt and staff have done a good job this year... the team has improved greatly these past two seasons. GOOD LUCK next week.

Congratulations to Chris Austin, a former player of mine (2004), the new head football coach at Clarksville Northwest. He's young and has a lot to learn but he was the interim head football coach this spring at Stewart County. Chris is a man of character and will be a leader for the Vikings.

The majority of the high school coaches want to go back to the old system with 5 classifications and I think the Board will vote along those lines. I would be ok with the six classifications if they don't have the three classes for the regular season. It creates too much disparity within the districts between the size of schools.

I can honestly say Coach John Teeples is one of the most honest, kind, and professional men I ever had the privilege of knowing. He is an example of the very best of Clay County. Everyone needs to remember Pat and the family in your prayers during this time of grief.

I believe it is time for the TSSAA to sponsor a statewide 7-on-7 competition in June and July. Texas has been doing this for years and they have found a way to use corporate sponsorship to make a lot of money for the state. Someone needs to talk this up with Mr. Childress or Mark Reeves and find a way to establish some guidelines and make it work. Schools could compete in geographic regions using our existing district formats in July to determine who competes in July after the break for the playoffs. After the July 4th weekend, we could have a two week playoff system culminating in a state championship tournament in Middle Tennessee at a college campus. It would help kick-off the football season and prepare teams for competition in the fall. The TSSAA could make some money and it would provide a format that is acceptable across the state for a passing league. If you have some contacts at the TSSAA let's get this thing rolling. We could begin next summer (2013) and I believe it would become something every high school athlete would enjoy. Plus, it will help promote the sport we all love!

I believe it is time for the TSSAA to sponsor a statewide 7-on-7 competition in June and July. Texas has been doing this for years and they have found a way to use corporate sponsorship to make a lot of money for the state. Someone needs to talk this up with Mr. Childress or Mark Reeves and find a way to establish some guidelines and make it work. Schools could compete in geographic regions using our existing district formats in July to determine who competes in July after the break for the playoffs. After the July 4th weekend, we could have a two week playoff system culminating in a state championship tournament in Middle Tennessee at a college campus. It would help kick-off the football season and prepare teams for competition in the fall. The TSSAA could make some money and it would provide a format that is acceptable across the state for a passing league. If you have some contacts at the TSSAA let's get this thing rolling. We could begin next summer (2013) and I believe it would become something every high school athlete would enjoy. Plus, it will help promote the sport we all love!

I believe it is time for the TSSAA to sponsor a statewide 7-on-7 competition in June and July. Texas has been doing this for years and they have found a way to use corporate sponsorship to make a lot of money for the state. Someone needs to talk this up with Mr. Childress or Mark Reeves and find a way to establish some guidelines and make it work. Schools could compete in geographic regions using our existing district formats in July to determine who competes in July after the break for the playoffs. After the July 4th weekend, we could have a two week playoff system culminating in a state championship tournament in Middle Tennessee at a college campus. It would help kick-off the football season and prepare teams for competition in the fall. The TSSAA could make some money and it would provide a format that is acceptable across the state for a passing league. If you have some contacts at the TSSAA let's get this thing rolling. We could begin next summer (2013) and I believe it would become something every high school athlete would enjoy. Plus, it will help promote the sport we all love!

I have coached in North Carolina that doesn't allow spring practice and states like Texas that limit spring practice to the largest schools. I believe we have a good balance in Tennessee that allows coaches to get a quick look at their teams while not being too intrusive to spring sports like track, soccer and baseball. We have 15 days to get in 10 days in pads, including two scrimmages. Coaches can use this time to evaluate who is ready to move up to compete in the fall. Lost old dad, a coach can spread out those ten days over the three week period, using the early days in shorts without a football to condition and prepare for the season without breaking the rules. Once the 15 day window begins, coaches can work toward a goal of preparing a handful of offensive plays and work the fundamentals of the defense. It is more essential for the larger programs to use this time to weed out the contenders from the kids who aren't ready. Of course, you won't have all the athletes in the spring but you will get a chance to evaluate some young men who may get overlooked when everyone is in the mix. The one thing I wish we had in Tennessee is a statewide summer passing league with playoffs like Texas and some other states have that begins in June and ends in July. The TSSAA could sponsor it along with Nike or some other company, using the month of June to establish the top teams in the state, and after the break, come back in July with the playoffs having a state championship tournament in Middle TN the third week of July, kicking off the football season.

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I coached both Hoath brothers years ago and I would think Jason would be an excellent choice.