arnwine

There are fewer skills to learn in volleyball? Lets see, a football lineman has to learn how to squat, stand up, step left then righ, and push. I would like to see you and everybody's all american serve recieve. Basketball is an easy sport to teach because most players are exposed to the game at an early age, hopefully in high school you don't have to show them how to shoot; box-out or pass. I STRONGLY disagree that a GREAT coach will take a team to the state 60% of the time. Not win the state, but get there. I also need to clarify my statement, I look at the sub-state as State, 1 of the final 16, that means be a regional runner-up. Look what Mcbee did at Rutledge all of those years, yeah, they are a hot bed of talent. What about Pickett County, they only have 30-40 girls to pick from. As for Oak Ridge (I can't believe I'm saying this) the program and level of coaching has a lot to do with why they are successful. TN basketball, on the girls side, does not have that many GREAT coaches. Can you name 10? In the whole State? Now look at the names you gave and how many of them go to the State 60% of the time. I know this is a girls post, but look at two of my favorite coaches, Elldridge and Wright. Have they been successful every where they've coached? I seem to remember Mark doing pretty well at Oneida and Jody won a lot of games at Maynardville, neither of which is loaded with talent. Both made a move up to AA at AC and Fulton and look at the difference in the programs. Is it because they brought great players with them, or because they are good coaches? You and I know it is the coaching. As far as basketball being a tough sport, I know a lot of parents that seem to think they know how to coach. One of best friends has a press that would stop the Lakers. I wish all of the coach wanna bes could see the good ones do it. Spending a lot of time in practice and working hard is not enough. You've got to spend quality time. PS Did you really mean the volleyball slam?

Well done MOTT! What most people don't realize is that Michael's dad was a great bballer and the best defensive player LA ever produced. He was called the human sweater, but I don't know if that was because of his defense. Seriously, Michael is a work machine, in a great program with Eldridge and Wallace. well done.

I disagree with 85 warrior, 90% coaching 10% players. I agree that to win a state championship you have to have talent, and a few breaks. In TN a good (not great) high school coach should win 75% of her/his games every year just on program building. A GREAT coach will be at the State 3 out of every 5 years giving it a go. Lets be honest, we don't have a "coaching" school. How many people really WANT a low paying, high stress job where the majority of the school is doesn't even know that you have a team, and a majority of the parents think you are wrong. Just about anyone that has played at a high level can be an adequate bench coach, you don't go up against Red Auberach each night. The good coaches have the ability to establish a winning PROGRAM that goes on year to year, the GREAT ones can do it all. Coaching is not rocket science, but it is harder. I watch these poor young first, second and third year coaches that get thrown to the wolves. My advise to young coaches, don't take the first head job that comes along, associate yourself with a GREAT program (no matter what the sport) and see why they win year after year. Then, become an assistant with a great coach (in your sport) and learn, not just how she or he teaches, but watch how she handles players, parents and different situations. This is harder than the x and o's. Then go with a program that has no direction and establish a winner. Talent is great, but you players on this board ask if your coach does this: Scout your opponents and makes practice specific for each game? Handle player discipline consistently? Reward your efforts with playing time and acknowledgement? Is fair? Has a plan beyond this season? Parents ask your coach what she or he is doing with the middle school, and earlier. Does coach have time for your questions, or do you feel put off? Are coach's demands of your child reasonable? Coach, do the parents interfere with your handling of the team? Do the players do what you ask, and if not why? Why aren't you winning, and can YOU fix it. These questions are all reasonable. Coaches are accountable, and if the team doesn't win look to the bench first. Great programs don't rebuild, they reload.

I have to way in on this post. Anderson County high School is, in my humble opinion, the TOP athletic school in East Tenn. It competes at every level in every sport. The coaches and faculty are a class act, and they play to win. Football, always competes for a state title in the toughest region in the state; Volleyball, easily the top 2 or 3 program in the STATE; Girls Soccer, comeptitive, and improving, only thing holding them back is that they lose some of the better athletes to Volleyball; Basketball, Elldridge has the Mav's as one of ET's top teams, a threat to make State every year; Track, best program in this part of the state, period, Golf, state favorite, Baseball and softball, should compete for a region. AC has great leadership from its AD on down. Class. Are they a secret? Not to those of us who follow sports. Ms. Stooksbury, well done. I missed the Clinton game, but it sounded like a great one. Well done Dragons.

You all are serious! I can get PAID for coaching? I've been paying TOO coach these last 25 years! Can I get back pay?

Who is the best athletic Director in TN. My vote goes to Peggy Stooksbury at Anderson County.

We can get paid!!!

I love well coached teams, and these two qualify. Rochelle, keep up the posts in that I am under the weather, and my wife has kept me home.

Since I don't get on this board as much Pageman, I wanted to thank you, again, for all of the info. Be safe this winter my friend! Also, you emailed me last fall, and I lost your address. Coaching is a bigger skill than computers for me, and if you get a chance this week drop me a line.

Huck and Salty, Forgot about Lacy!!! Well done. Salty, (or anyone) has Tenn ever had a player go to UCONN? I can't think of one, and am just curious. I also hate to admit it, I like a couple of Middle and West TN teams, and Kat Neeley is one of my favorite people. Do well my friend!

These local rivals with 2 of the top young coaches in the State (Eldridge and Lochard) go at it againg Friday. Clinton is big and physical, AC can shoot, but played down against Alcoa. Last seasons game at AC had the best first half of BB I've seen in some time. Also, these teams feature the top asst coaches in East TN (Wallace and Dixon.) Wallace is a great teacher, and could be a head coach any time he want. Dixon was one of the best players I ever played with, college at USC I think, and a class individual. This should be a great game, but AC is going to have to be more physical. What do you guys, and gals Mrs Hamilton, think? Also, my prayers with the Clinton students for the loss of their classmate.

These rivals play Friday. Coach Ellis had his first win against a solid Dragon team last season, and has the young Mav's playing better. Clinton has 2 excellent college prospects in Rodd and Brown, and I suspect a war. Big game, but I see AC in a close one. Mav, and other AC Clinton fans what do you think?

I love the young girls at Anderson County. They are getting better every night, and have some great young players coming next year. AC girls have had some bad breaks the last couple of years, but this school is one of the best athletic schools in the state, with the best AD in high school sports. I like the effort the girls are showing, and would hate to play this young team in the tournament.

I didn't know that was Pat Ryan's daughter! Also, there is a local player with a father that played pro baseball, I think with the Expo's? I don't know his name but my friend from KLAS said he was a catcher who ripped a double off of Jim Palmer in the All-Star Game in the early 80's. Any idea who it was?

Jerrilynn went on to UT and still coaches at Halls. I think. Salty has convinced me that I had a brain spasm by putting Peck in my top 5. I am also getting a lot of grief on Webb, but I'm keeping my 5. Also, Salty I was just teasing you a little, I've heard that you are a pretty good guy! Have fun this year, with the exception of Powell and Sevier County East Tenn is way down. PS Holly can still beat Woos!

Pageman, Any knews on how the new school Independance? is going to affect Page's ball clubs? Also, Powell whipped Oak Ridge last week and could be a state contender. No real strong AA teams, Oliver Springs has a great little guard, but not much else, Alcoa won't make it out of Knoxville. I suspect the battle for the title will take place to my West. Hope all is well. PS One of my all time favorite people Leah Thurman, (now Roberts) a Div II All-American in the mid 80's is the new coach of a powerful Caretsville GA VB team. I'm trying to get her to come to the choo-choo, you'll lover her!

Should we let the players cuss openly during the practice? Probably not because its a tech in the game. I agree with Mav in that don't punish the coach who lets slip an occassional mild profanity, but openly cussing a player has passed.

Salty, You old dog, or should I say young pup, I thought you said you saw Holly play in high school? If you really had seen Holly play you would have known the most of her career TN still played 6 on 6 and Holly was a guard, so she didn't get to play offense. Shame!

So, thats what we call it now! Computer problems.

Good post, hard question. Back in the day I was routinely "cussed" by coaches. Like it or not, times have changed. I do not curse, or allow any profanity by our players, I think that day is passed. Does that not mean the team doesn't get a good butt chewing, no way, it just doesn't involve vulgar language. I am a Knight disciple, and growing up could let it go in one ear and out the other, now that I am wiser, I don't feel good about it. No cursing, ever.

Mav, Was this the guy that ran the 40 in 4 flat, had six pack abs and a pair of 32 inch guns?

Salty, I'm still waiting to see if you know why Holly's ppg was so low. You claim to have seen her play often, grasshopper?

I disagree. It is important for players to have someone to talk to other than a parent. I send at least 1 letter, or email, to all of my former players in college, whether they play ball or not, asking about grades, and relationships, and let them know how their old team is doing. I want players who come thru our program to feel that they belonged to something special, a family. I tell stories about former players daily so that current players know the history of our team I've had to deal with parent death in the lat few years, and pregnancy, how are these not off the court issues? Should we control these things, I don't think we could if we tried. But we can be there for the players, now and when they leave,

Mav, Be careful, Mr Woosley is on a warpath about this topic.

Mr. Woosley, aka Salty, Look beyond the family. Do you know why Holly had a 6 ppg? I doubt you do, but I'll give you a chance, I doubt you do. I also liked your daughter, just thought she was slow.