possum

Tigers open at Grundy County.

Yea, and Grundy should be a much improved ball team.

Whitwell has a good team. Kids will do what ever you demand of them. Praying for the Tigers.

Ambassador you about got me on the ball statement. I about messed up. Lol. I just want the program to do well. Wins are everywhere, Even if it is not on the field of play. Just have to find them.

Year in and year out Whitwell could be a second round playoff team. Nothing more and nothing less.

Well that is your opinion and you are welcome to it, Hope your team has done better.

i beg to differ? I can not help but to think that as far as the Marion County's community is concerned Whitwell has been an after thought. Mark Griffith has taken steps to correct the problem . I think corrective steps have been taken, and with the growth of the community Whitwell can do better. Whitwell have people in place to make that happen, it is just going to take a little time.

I think if folks can get past Whitwell's overall record, and look at who they have played. Sequatchie, Marion, S. pItt., Grundy, Bledsoe, and Boyd Bucs. To name a few. Have I lost anybody yet, year in year out those are good teams. If you play teams like that going 5-5 or 7-3 can be considered a great year. Whitwell is a typical 1A program. Just like deer hunting, you have your typical bucks and non-typical bucks. Whitwell is a typical 1A program.

It use to bug the heck,out of me and we would go 5-5 and people said we did not deserve to be in the playoffs, then we would go play an 8-2 Monteray team and beat them by three touchdowns. I would be like here we are, then go play Frendship Christian, or Boyd Bucannaun, get beat then people would say told you they were not any good. Really!

No, that is no longer the issue, opportunity is there, seeing that things are more level now. Jmo.

Coach Helton is a good coach. Stand by him. Second round this year, it is called growth.

I like my football thank you very much,, however it is not that compulated. Lol.

By the way, Whitwell has three fairly new schools in one complex. Does jasper not have three new schools, and South Pittsburg, not have new facilities as well? If consolidation was going to take place it should have took place before now. However I have ideas being to different systems on on how to make that happen.

We could have three elementary schools, two middle schools, a vocational school in Whitwell, and a high school in the Kimball area. In academics everything kids needed could be offered. I personally would like to see a good band program and the way things are now I do not see that happening with three schools.

In athletics we would be no bigger than 3A, and could compete with anyone. One can only say that after it is all said and done what would be the best thing for the kids. In reality that is all that matters.

Possum... come on man!!! Your posts sound more like a job interview... Whitwell almost went bankrupt because of theivery! Not to mention a new head coach every year for what seemed like 5 years in a row.. I'm big on giving coaches a chance to win i.e. 3-4 years, but if Helton couldnt win with the last two years atheletes then I dont expect him to win with the ones that are coming up.  I would second TTP and Bassy, Whitwell will not beat that SP bunch for a few years, if it happens then....

As far as a job interview I think I will go on record and say he has my support., and if he needed my services I would be there to help so let's end the speculation.

Point I was making in the post was when the TSSAA made us play those at the time rec. league private teams we lost a lot of money at the gate. iF we played Temple, David Brainerd, Grace, or Silverdale we lost about 3,000 a game. wE play a team like Sequatchie we make about 5,000 more.

As a head coach you not only a teacher, coach, promote program, in other words we cannot recruit, but also a business man. You love playing those teams because most times than not you are going to win. However it takes at least Twenty five thousand dollars to run a program like Whitwell. When I was at Soddy and Red Bank we took in a ton of money. Small programs like Whitwell do not have that luxury.

When I was at Whitwell we wanted to be competitive with local programs, Make enough money to run the program so kids had what they needed, and make the playoffs. Last time I was at Whitwell we made the playoffs we went 5-5 and faced Monteray who was 8-,2, in the playoffs and people said we did not belong there. They forgot how most teams we played were in a bigger classification. To make a long story short we beat them easily,and went on to play Boyd.

My point is Money matters sometimes more than wins. Playing the bigger teams also make you better and the kids enjoy it.

Last time we played Grace when I was head coach we never punted because we scored on every possession. When we were forced to play David Brainerd, Silverdale, Temple, and Grace the TSSAA about bankrupted our program and I was the fall guy. They had no community and low attendance. Whitwell is back on track. They are playing competitive teams and competing. Now they are entering the playoffs with experience of playing teams that are more athletic. wHat more can Whitwell do? I was disappointed in attendance game against Moore Co. jUst saying?

This Region will come down to Grace and SP at the end of the year. Both teams will be undefeated in the region...Grace is returning A LOT

Until something else happens Sp is top dog. WHitwell is nipping at the hills though.

Grider is back and it will be tough, but I would not want it,any other way.

Been busy coach, but you can give up on the Condra's, Petty's, And Shrum's, we are worthless. iWe are just,not right in our heads. oH well! Lol. I am really impressed with how you have prepared this program.. One of the biggest benefits to workouts is less injuries. We may not be winning a boat load of ball games at Tennessee but you can see that philosophy starting to be mixed in with mortar and bricks at Tennessee.

When I got ran off from Whitwell after my first year caching there in 97, I actually did not know weather to cry or laugh at what our program had become, and coaches there made me feel like an idiot even though they carried the longest loosing streak in Tennesse. Returned as an assistant in 2000 in August and really wanted to cry. We went 0-10 but next year went 8-4 with a big win over Boyd. Buc's. We went on to have great season like Whitwell had this year.

I am actually a former head coach there, and have a family member on your staff. i am glad he is there and would be glad to be there myself.

After Christmas break is over I want to sit down with you, and him. Keep up the good work coach you are doing a great job.

 

ps.

 

I have always said body needs to recover. as I get older I do not need much more proof. I look forward to sitting down with you after Christmas. Going prospecting and fishing.

iF you are interested in taking kids to camp in Ky at Georgetown, Ky. i can help you with that kids loved it. we went three a days but we did not condition. They ate like pigs and got to hang out with the Bengals. kIds got autographs, and had free time in dorm rooms. kids loved it.

Coach,

Stop by any time. The Mesocycle is a time period reference in the Strength Program. Usually, it is between 4 to 8 weeks (depending upon programming). The Microcycle is typically a week. The Macrocycle is, in our case, the Annual Plan (think Microeconomics and Macroeconomics). They are descriptors utilized in Periodization.

 

Our program is written by Coach Mike Anderson-USAW-SPC, CSCS. The CSCS is what most Division I College programs consider the "Gold Standard" with respect to certification for Strength and Conditioning/Speed Personnel. Coach Anderson came to Whitwell last year and spoke at our Strength and Speed Clinic. He will be visiting again this December during Christmas Break. He tailored our program specifically to accommodate our schedule (including the two week dead period during the summer). 

 

Coach Anderson is very familiar with the way I organize our practices and the style of play as he was my Strength Coach in Phoenix. He has his Bachelor's in Kinesiology from Arizona State University and interned under Joe Micela and also studied under Joe Kenn. 

 

We collaborated on a system approach to create a model of efficiency for the weight room in his second year with our program in Phoenix. The result, was a template system that incorporates ground-based movements that utilize a total body approach, as opposed to a "heavy day" and a "light day" that also alternates Upper and Lower days. Instead, we utilize the total body approach so that each day there is a posterior chain activation in our plan. It is theoretically based upon the Joe Kenn tiered system model. Coach Anderson put together a lift video for our program. It can be viewed at R.C. Helton on you tube. It is about 45 minutes. If you get a chance to watch it, you will see it is very detailed with respect to teaching proper technique.

 

When I spoke with Boyd Epley at the Glazier Clinic in Mesa, Az, he told me that the best measure for explosiveness of a Strength and Power Athlete was the Vertical Jump. That is one of the key measures that we look at when we re-test to see the specific athlete's progress. We had some significant gains last year. We started on March 2nd last year. One of our incoming Sophomores (Class of 2018) gained 6" on his vert in a 6 week Mesocycle. The average gain was 2.4" for that cycle.

 

The NSCA has a Basic Manual (105 pages) that has some good information and provides some basic plans that are sound doctrine. If you join NSCA you will receive an electronic copy of it. They also have their Annual Conference this January in San Antonio (7-9th). They usually precede the AFCA and host in the same town each year. Since I am going to AFCA again this year, it's difficult to get more time off to attend the NSCA deal, but it has some excellent training and information if you have the time and $ to go. I prefer to do the AFCA because I make a lot of contacts to try and build my network to get my guys recruited (and also learn from the top coaches in the country).

 

Last year, we had 7 players start both ways. We had 3 Freshmen start on Defense every game. One of those Freshmen started both ways on OL/DL. Most people would characterize us as a physical team. We had one minor injury all season (AC Joint separation) that occurred early in the 3rd Qtr. against SPHS. The player never told us about it until after the game, but his performance in the first half was in stark contrast in the second half. He's a tough kid and didn't want to come out of the game. He talked his Doctor into releasing him for the Sale Creek game the next week. I held him out and wouldn't let him dress. So, in theory, he was medically cleared, but it wouldn't have been the right thing for him, or for the team. He later scored all three TD's against Moore County in the playoffs. The only other injury all year was during Moore County (mild concussion) that prevented one of our OL from playing in the second round of the playoffs.

 

I am not sure about the other teams in Tennessee, but I know our injuries were minimal within the context of the workload on our kids, and the style of ball we play. Usually, there is a correlation to the Strength Program with respect to injury mitigation. Obviously, we were fortunate this year, but we are going to stay with our program as it has proven fairly solid considering what we have to work with and our numbers we have in the program.

 

We averaged 301 yards offense per game this past year. Considering we had a Sophomore at QB who replaced a QB that was very good and got a scholarship to play in college, we did pretty good. That's not a knock on our Sophomore. He got better each game this past year, but he didn't get a lot of reps as a Freshman (we don't have a JV Team because we have Freshmen and Sophomores who start and don't have enough Freshmen/Sophomores to safely field a JV Team) so the speed of the game was a big adjustment for him this year. We expect him to be a lot better this upcoming season. He got more confident as the season progressed. He works hard in the weight room, and he's coachable, he's extremely tough, and he's a great young man.

 

Coach,

Stop by any time. The Mesocycle is a time period reference in the Strength Program. Usually, it is between 4 to 8 weeks (depending upon programming). The Microcycle is typically a week. The Macrocycle is, in our case, the Annual Plan (think Microeconomics and Macroeconomics). They are descriptors utilized in Periodization.

 

Our program is written by Coach Mike Anderson-USAW-SPC, CSCS. The CSCS is what most Division I College programs consider the "Gold Standard" with respect to certification for Strength and Conditioning/Speed Personnel. Coach Anderson came to Whitwell last year and spoke at our Strength and Speed Clinic. He will be visiting again this December during Christmas Break. He tailored our program specifically to accommodate our schedule (including the two week dead period during the summer). 

 

Coach Anderson is very familiar with the way I organize our practices and the style of play as he was my Strength Coach in Phoenix. He has his Bachelor's in Kinesiology from Arizona State University and interned under Joe Micela and also studied under Joe Kenn. 

 

We collaborated on a system approach to create a model of efficiency for the weight room in his second year with our program in Phoenix. The result, was a template system that incorporates ground-based movements that utilize a total body approach, as opposed to a "heavy day" and a "light day" that also alternates Upper and Lower days. Instead, we utilize the total body approach so that each day there is a posterior chain activation in our plan. It is theoretically based upon the Joe Kenn tiered system model. Coach Anderson put together a lift video for our program. It can be viewed at R.C. Helton on you tube. It is about 45 minutes. If you get a chance to watch it, you will see it is very detailed with respect to teaching proper technique.

 

When I spoke with Boyd Epley at the Glazier Clinic in Mesa, Az, he told me that the best measure for explosiveness of a Strength and Power Athlete was the Vertical Jump. That is one of the key measures that we look at when we re-test to see the specific athlete's progress. We had some significant gains last year. We started on March 2nd last year. One of our incoming Sophomores (Class of 2018) gained 6" on his vert in a 6 week Mesocycle. The average gain was 2.4" for that cycle.

 

The NSCA has a Basic Manual (105 pages) that has some good information and provides some basic plans that are sound doctrine. If you join NSCA you will receive an electronic copy of it. They also have their Annual Conference this January in San Antonio (7-9th). They usually precede the AFCA and host in the same town each year. Since I am going to AFCA again this year, it's difficult to get more time off to attend the NSCA deal, but it has some excellent training and information if you have the time and $ to go. I prefer to do the AFCA because I make a lot of contacts to try and build my network to get my guys recruited (and also learn from the top coaches in the country).

 

Last year, we had 7 players start both ways. We had 3 Freshmen start on Defense every game. One of those Freshmen started both ways on OL/DL. Most people would characterize us as a physical team. We had one minor injury all season (AC Joint separation) that occurred early in the 3rd Qtr. against SPHS. The player never told us about it until after the game, but his performance in the first half was in stark contrast in the second half. He's a tough kid and didn't want to come out of the game. He talked his Doctor into releasing him for the Sale Creek game the next week. I held him out and wouldn't let him dress. So, in theory, he was medically cleared, but it wouldn't have been the right thing for him, or for the team. He later scored all three TD's against Moore County in the playoffs. The only other injury all year was during Moore County (mild concussion) that prevented one of our OL from playing in the second round of the playoffs.

 

I am not sure about the other teams in Tennessee, but I know our injuries were minimal within the context of the workload on our kids, and the style of ball we play. Usually, there is a correlation to the Strength Program with respect to injury mitigation. Obviously, we were fortunate this year, but we are going to stay with our program as it has proven fairly solid considering what we have to work with and our numbers we have in the program.

 

We averaged 301 yards offense per game this past year. Considering we had a Sophomore at QB who replaced a QB that was very good and got a scholarship to play in college, we did pretty good. That's not a knock on our Sophomore. He got better each game this past year, but he didn't get a lot of reps as a Freshman (we don't have a JV Team because we have Freshmen and Sophomores who start and don't have enough Freshmen/Sophomores to safely field a JV Team) so the speed of the game was a big adjustment for him this year. We expect him to be a lot better this upcoming season. He got more confident as the season progressed. He works hard in the weight room, and he's coachable, he's extremely tough, and he's a great young man.

 

Coach Helton I would like to talk to you. I am a social studies teacher who has learned weight and speed training through trails and errors. Been in the Army learned a lot there. I have no idea what you are talking about. Hyper trophy Mesocycle . However interested. I always started right after Christmas break if we went two deep in playoffs. If we did not make it we started right away. Your kids looked like they were in great shape at beginning of season. I am sure the kids and coaches like the extra time off. Go Tigers!

Old Pirate is jest wondering, Possum, what in tarnation does you think about a feller taking a job as coach but refuses to send his son to a school system that feeds his family. Coach Tim Moore had a son that was a senior at his former employer & chatter is the son wanted to finish his senior year. That is acceptable by most but having a coach that doesn't feel the school system of which he is a large part is Not good enough for his son is a totally different animal. It is obvious the coach is a short timer and Not committed long term to the school or community. Recon some would tithe & support El Chopa Guzman if they thought he could help win some games!

I have no Idea what the situation is. What I would say when it comes to my kid I am going to do what's best for him or her, in my case, I have a daughter. She lives in Florida and is an excellent advanced clarinet player. If I was working at South Pittsburg, I would love for her to come and be at the school I worked at because I would be able to see her more. Not because it might make the band better. Although schools with great bands are usually good at everything else in the school, I Know that is strange coming from a football coach. Think about it. Anyway when it comes to a coaches family life and the decisions they make about their kids I try not to read to much into it.

If I had to guess I would say they will be better. Was this his first year back? I was in Florida last year.

Funny

 

What so funny, something I do not know. I graduated with him from UTC. I have known him a long time, he has always done well we're ever he has been. Have not heard as much about him last couple of years. I just know as head coach he has done moe with less, that a lot of coaches have done with more.. Shoots straight, what is Giles looking for? JMO

Amen to everything that has been said. With all the propaganda and racism America needs to move away from their stereotypes. Those young men, and coaches provided leadership with a nation in need.

I say give him a shot at it. It burns me up when you take an assistant job somewhere, do a good job, then when a head coaching job comes up they think you are not good enough even though you have the resume that says different. What does that tell you if you are working their and not in top consideration for the head coaching position. If I wanted to be a head coach again I know what that would tell me.

If Barger is there why not hire him . Giles stadium is awesome. Great football community. I meet the Principal when at Brainard in the second round of the playoffs back afew years ago. We ate our pregame meal at a restaurant that had Nathan Bedford Forrest picture up on the entrance wall, and us being a all black team except for me that was funny as well as all the cotton fields we past getting there. It gave me plenty of material for giving coaches and kids a hard time. Lol. People in Giles were very polite and are kids needed that it makes a difference. Great hospitality!

I have known Coach Barger for a long time. He has been successful everywhere he has been. He can do more with less talent than most coaches can do with more. He would be a good fit, but again do not know situation at Giles.

Good luck on your search.

Marion Co. Is the best 2A program I have seen in a long time. I have a hard time believing they will not win state. Their defense is or maybe the best I have seen at that level. Good luck to the Warriors.

Great post. I'm like TTP i think it'll be hard for Whitwell to be a lot better next year... However i do think Helton has them going in the right direction. I've heard nothing but good things about him. I just hope he stays for a while, and builds some stability at Whitwell.. With good coaching, i think Whitwell should finish no worse than 2nd in that region every year.. It'll be hard for them to ever beat SP, but they should be able to at least not get blown out every year by them..They have gopod coaches, but in my opinion they need one or two more that could help Helton. Good Luck Tigers.

If what you say is true, that only means that they may not be as good at the running positions. That can be offset by being better in special teams and defense. I am like coach Helton, I love to run the football, however he may have to put a small play action passing package together? I do feel safe in saying that I am sure he understands more about what he needs to with his team than I do.

Absolutely, next year will be unbelievable, and we probably do not want to think about the next year. Unless we have a bunch to defect to the NFL, who knows? I am behind Butch just like I am behind Coach Helton. I have not had much time to speak with coach Helton, but would like to.

They wont, they lost three of their big time backs. They have a couple of young ones that are pretty good, but the past two years should have been a lot better imo. You know butch jones personally possum?

Well I have spoke with him, and while coaching in Florida I have spoke with recruiting personal about potential athletes in Florida. I have coached against probably 20 kids that had already committed to D1 schools. So, other than that I really do not know him personally that well. But, I do understand the process.

Proud of all my buddies and players at Notre Dame.