TankTalk

Whoa, don't call it TSSAA money ... it's the money of the kids washing cars, selling Krispy Kreme and working hard to entertain us in athletics. The TSSAA didn't earn most of that money, the kids did.

You are right I should write stories about all of this, because someone who lives in Florida and I don't even know who they are (because they have this screen name that they bash a coach under) sent me a message on coacht.com. Please. Why don't you call me, give me your name and then man up as to why you don't like the current coach. I have an idea why. You questioning my guts is laughable. I will not write stories based on your closet prejudices, sorry man ... can't do it. My number is 220-5508, I am in the office usually between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Hey, write a letter to the editor even, so the readers of Oak Ridge can see how concerned you are about things. Of course, you will have to give your real name and address so we can confirm you are the author. Someone who is so concerned, should get it off their chest, all of this just isn't healthy for ya. I know players have been working out, I have no idea about coaches meetings, although I have talked to just about every coach on the staff ... even those four or five that you are reporting as gone. Trust me, I will not get in some internet battle with you ... time is too precious to allow that. I would suggest that you contact those in charge about your discontent with the current head coach. I am sure several anonymous people have called in and done just the same. I cover high school sports. The main focus of high school sports happens to be the children who are playing them. Don't we make them grow up fast as it is, without having to put together this internet lynch mob (don't take that too personal) because the coach led the team to a 5-5 year? I mean, there have been other coaches at Oak Ridge who have went 5-5 and bounced back to have fairly decent careers. Try this, support coach Stevens just one more time. If, in just his third season at Oak Ridge, he greatly disappoints you down there, then you can start circulating your petitions. You think I am a bad sports writer, I think you are something far worse. I like where I stand in this one. Have a great holiday season. Oak Ridge

Not even going to respond about the weight lifting just starting Monday, that's just not true at all. I have talked to many coaches (still waiting on those four or five that are leaving by the way) and it appears that many coaches have taken stock and accepted the fact that they did a bad job last season. Hopefully lessons were learned. I was glad to see Fulton replace Jefferson County on the schedule, opening at Fulton will be an interesting game.

If anyone thinks the TSSAA staff ... and the board of control are not basically the same, then they are wearing rose-colored glasses. It has been proven on many occasions that despite the wishes of a majority of schools, something the staff recommends, generally happens. While I don't waste time pointing out the obvious about this organization, I do think appropriate nicknames should be appointed to them. Perhaps Mugsy, Bugsy, Scarface, etc. etc. Schools, who dish out the real money, don't have nearly the say one would think, but this is the hand we are dealt. As long as they put on a good show during championships, feed all us media types and keep us happy, continue snowballing the public that they care about the kids, then no change will ever happen. Lower ticket prices? Please ... I would, however, expect ticket prices to go UP in the near future.

I wonder if they will have a big town meeting ... then pass out ballots to fire or keep the coach ... then, without warning, Jimmy Chitwood comes in and says "I play, coach stays. He goes, I go." Oh wait, that's another small town and another sport.

Just to clarify, he said as far as he knew, the staff would be back for the most part. It's mighty early in the game to know for sure. Opportunities may arise for coaches, offers could be extended, who knows what will happen until the season is completely over. And I also think that while the bi-weekly meetings seemed a bit subpar in print, the feeling I got was that would be the official meetings, while work was going on continuously. Please don't think I am here singing praises or trying to make a situation look better than it is. I report. That's what I do, from people in official positions to report on. While I don't share the overall feelings of doom some have expressed on here, I do realize that there are problems. I also realize that I am not an authority on how to fix those said problems.

Bah Old Dad, I have learned that you feel anyone who wasn't an Oak Ridge fan in the 40s has no clue about anything, so I can't even argue with you. I never said I thought a great job was done, stop reading what you want to read. As for Outside Perspective, if someone calls you and says "Stevens has applied for CAK," then you get all giddy inside and start telling everyone you know ... is that considered a viable source? Anyway, here's hoping things get turned around at Oak Ridge, I have having the playoffs off during football season.

Thought I might stay off this "thread 'o speculation," but I just couldn't resist. First, I have also heard about coaches that were planning on bailing out. I think out of frustration, it's easy to say things like that but when the smoke clears, and cooler thoughts come around, some of these coaches may realize where they are and how fortunate they are. I could be wrong, but if there are four or five coaches that quit, I would be very shocked. As for the coach Gray thing, my feelings are this: If he were offered a coordinator's job, I think he would take it. I honestly feel he would relish an opportunity to be part of Oak Ridge football again. Most of the venom spewed about the entire coaching thing came from (much like this thread) outside perspective. The 5-5 season has done a couple of things. It has given those who never wanted to give coach Stevens a chance, an opportunity to kick him while he's down. It's given those who were riding the fence about the hire, a chance to join those that are kicking. I have confidence in coach Steven's football knowledge. I do think, however, some difficult decisions lie ahead, including the staff, philosophy and other things. But heck, what do I know.

I respect your opinion, although I still say it's based on two, three ... maybe four people that post on a message board. I have met some Farragut fans that I felt were arrogant, but I would never ever classify an entire program as snobbish, arrogant or otherwise. It just sets a bad tone, a tone that isn't needed in high school competition. We should pat the shoulder of the victor and the one that loses. It's not about us fans, despite the fact so many of us live vicariously through the achievements of youngsters. I have covered high school athletics in quite a few places, been and mingled with a lot of fans and I was very intimidated when I started in Oak Ridge. I too had heard all the rumors about the attitude I was about to face. What did I learn? It just wasn't true. I have met the most wonderful football fans, and classy people, while in Oak Ridge. Are there some arrogant, cocky fans here? Of course! But I have met some arrogant, cocky fans in places that don't even know what a gold ball looks like. Sorry to rant, I just get tired of all the old people, young people that don't even play or internet quarterbacks taking away from high school football by trying to tarnish it with egotistical boasting.

My point was you saying MOST of them ... most? Bask in the glory of your win ... no football program deserves a big win over Oak Ridge as much as Farragut does.

It's funny how two or three posters can all of a sudden be the voice for an entire program. I guarantee you, that most of the Oak Ridge fans knew this would be a tough game and that Farragut was the favorite. I said it earlier, congratulations, but act like you have been there before. You beat a 5-5 team and have much tougher opponents waiting on you.

Congratulations to Farragut on a well-deserved win. As for the field, I noticed Farragut was able to stand on their sidelines. Oak Ridge's sidelines were very bad. In fact, I found it interesting that the drains along the sideline on Oak Ridge's side were covered up. Some folks uncovered them, allowing some water and mud to drain off. That could have been a continuous drain if someone would have thought to take those pesky covers off when the rain started. I love old-fashioned football in bad weather. But it's amazing that nobody had a serious injury on that field, I think it was a bad decision to play on what I thought was the worst football field conditions I have ever seen.

Toots in the 'Boro ... talk about bringing back the memories! What cute waitresses they had ... I think the wings were good as well.

Dang folks, I of all people know that everyone is entitled to their opinion. But how productive is all of this? I say we all get together at a bar somewhere, I will buy the first round. Call me here at the paper, we will arrange something. I am very surprised that this thread has been left open as long as it has. I bet if it was a coach from middle Tennessee or not Oak Ridge, it would have been closed at the first hint of coach bashing. But again, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Sadly, I say that, but I am in a position to where I have to shut up a lot of the time. You Oak Ridge faithful know the proper way to go about handling in-house strife.

I can't do the pressbox, plus I love taking my own photos. I feel dirty watching football in the box, hehe. Maybe next year!

First of all, congratulations on the win and the region championship. Secondly, I will be pulling for all the region teams in the playoffs and hope they all do very well, including Ooltewah if they are able to make it deep into the playoffs. I, like the color man, just have ONE opportunity to see the Owls play. Like him, I was expecting a lot more just to be honest. Loved the quarterback play, the defense was solid against an offense that has simply struggled. When comparing them to Dobyns-Bennett, the DB linebackers and defense overall is head and shoulders better. And, there's not much difference in the offenses. Like I said, I just get to see these teams one time, so perhaps the Owls just looked mediocre on this particular game. I hope I am wrong, but I just don't see any Region 2-5A team doing all that great in the playoffs. But ... good luck to the Owls and one more thing, get a fight song! While I am a huge fan of Rocky Top, you need something to call your own, hehe.

No argument from me on that. I have contended for many years that GQ is unequalled as a coach in the state. The cycle I was speaking of was actually in Oak Ridge. I think, coaching staffs bring different philosphies and that soon, the team will begin to buy into the one being presented to them now. I just hope it turns quickly, because Oak Ridge fans are ... well ... they like to win.

That looks good. I don't care how it works, just as long as Maryville is in the region with Oak Ridge, Ooltewah, Farragut, etc ... so we can all take the long-overdue yearly thumping from them. Don't get me wrong, no doubt they are the premier program in the state. But the road would be a little tougher ... plus cycles are funny things.

Bah, I think the T$$AA would do the right thing, listen to folks and have Maryville in Region 2. Have the other two teams in Blount flip a coin for the move to Region 1.

No Reb, thank you! Reading your post, I got some material for a story in the paper tomorrow.

The facts ... this was SO CLOSE to happening. The WB coaches wanted to drop the Maryville game. The Oak Ridge and Maryville coaches had indeed worked out a week zero game. The William Blount ADMINSTRATION stepped in and refused to drop the Maryville game. Therefore, it's offically NOT going to happen in 07. But let's be honest, it's going to happen soon because in two years, they will be in the same region. Now I respect Maryville and their coaches as much as anyone with a football brain, but in the next few years, I think Oak Ridge will have the players to make this a VERY exciting game. Maybe Quarles will be gone to college by then, sheesh!

I am about 99 percent sure that no criminal charges will be filed. I could be wrong, but the bleeding-ear victim is pretty dang classy and I don't see it happening.

I appreciate your comments, a lot! I hope I don't ever need your 'back" however, I am way too little to be getting into fights!

All things aside, I am sorry to an old friend of mine and wish none of this had been pushed onto the internet. What happened between me, the owner of channel 12 and Wednesday night caused a rift in a friendship. Yes, I caused that rift for my own reasons. I certainly wished it didn't happen, it did, and I am sorry that someone felt the need to drag that out here. The friend was in a tough situation, did what was best for him. I should have wished him well and went on. I didn't and that's all that needs to be said. What this has to do with the Friday night show, I have no idea ... shouldn't you all go back to bashing the co-hosts of that show, I need a break!

I don't personally don't know Mr. Meadows but I do know I hated making the decision to write this little story. I thought about it and thought about it, but in the end, did publish it. I don't know if a ban that severe is warranted, but he does sound very emotionally-involved and something should be done. I just hope it all goes OK and everyone learns and grows from it. I want to add, I was treated like a real champ over at William Blount and enjoyed myself, except of course for the outcome for the Wildcats. Everyone was classy and the administrators seemed to do a very good job. And as for those Blount County officials I had heard so many bad things about, perhaps they had a good night ... but I thought the game was called very well.