etcoach

Actually, I made my off the wall post with the hope of distracting some of the posters who seemed to be getting a little too nasty with each other. Obviously, it didn't work, as you are the only person who responded to it. The rest of the posters stayed on task and continued to discuss the Maryville-Alcoa game, generate bar charts, dispute each other's arithmetic, and call each other morons. I have coached youth sports quite a bit over the years and know how difficult it is to get sponsors for the teams and signs for the fences. I'm sure it is quite a bit more difficult to get sponsors for broadcasts. Then you have to work with the advertisers to script the commercials and organize the broadcasts so that all the commercials are aired and are aired in the correct order. I also realize that broadcasting local high school sports is a labor of love and can take a lot of time away from the family, particularly during basketball season when you sometimes broadcast doubleheaders several nights a week. Anyone willing to commit to do this is to be commended. Local sports broadcasting has to be considered a hobby, because NOBODY is getting rich doing it. I, however, was serious about one part of my post. I do believe that there is too much obsession with being "THE BEST" at something, with anything less than "THE BEST" considered to be failure. Something that perplexes me is the seeming need in our society to identify and proclaim something as "THE BEST". Why does it even matter which rivalry is "THE BEST"? Just enjoy the rivalries for what they are, a diversion that stirs up excitement in communities and an escape from the problems all of us face in the real world. Sorry about dragging your good name through the mud in an attempt to make a point. Still, I won't completely retract my earlier comments. I'll just amend them to say that maybe sometimes you completely unconsciously take digs at Alcoa teams during your broadcasts. I will say I do less of their games in basketball as opposed to the other 3 schools. That is due mainly in that the other 3 are always in the same District so it is easier for me. Selfish reasons so I don't have to keep up that much with another District of Boys and Girls. But it has nothing to do with Alcoa or any of the Admins. Josh has always been great to work with.

when's WB going to start playing Alcoa in football? If it were up to me, they would start asap. When they stopped playing, WB was holding their own against the Tornados (late 90's). But some bitterness has developed over the years for whatever reason. I really thought when there were new coaches and new AD's, things would change and the game would once again be played. I think it will happen again in the near future, but that is only my opinion. It is obvious that Alcoa would love to play the game. Say what you want...it is definitely WB's decision to not play and we should accept whatever verbal poundings we take for not playing it.

By the way, I have no animosity towards Alcoa. How in the world do you get that from listening to the TYNER game in 2005? If I had such animosity I would not have asked my station to do the game (even though I did not get paid) just so Alcoa's game could be on the air. As a matter of fact, when I first got AM 1400 to do football broadcasts, it was to do Alcoa. The problem was they made me sell commercials to do the games and I did not know any Alcoa people. That's how it ended up being WB football instead of Alcoa football on AM 1400. So maybe you should retract your earlier comments. Alcoa is a great school with great administrators and coaches. I just can't figure out why they have went through such a drought against the Rebels.

Hey WBradioman.............. Alcoa 27, WB 0! Alcoa is much better than WB as was obvious in the jamboree (just glad they only played one qtr). However, my statement was about Maryville and Alcoa. It had nothing to do with the Govs. You have to admit, Maryville had had the number of Alcoa over the past few years even though the talent level is very even. Both teams are absolutely ridiculously talented.

How is it the biggest rivalry in the state? In my book a rivalry should offer up some question as to who might win.

Considering Heritage has more wins over Maryville in the last 10 years than Alcoa does, I'll have to take the Rebels.

So you feel as though he goes to WB if either Levengood does not get Superintendent or if he does not talk him out of it. I at least like the sound of that. I just hate to think I am that bad of a judge of character. I thought it was a done deal. I was floored when I heard his answer.

It did work out, but he chose to be the head coach here instead. Meadows was fine with that.

How does he continue to get posts when all he is doing is trying to get people to click on a link? Coach T BAN HIM!

As the voice of the Governors on the radio side of things, I would like to welcome Coach Gregory to William Blount. I will admit I was one of those on the committee who had voted for Coach Fitzgerald. However, Coach Fitzgerald did not come. Therefore I am moving on and will support Coach Gregory and his staff. I hope they have a great summer and Coach G.....I have just contracted you to mandatory post-game interviews after all games next season up in the booth. Unfortunately, though, you don't get paid for it. Maybe we'll save you some food. Oh wait...it depends if Jimmy and CJ are present.

I was in the interview at WB. You guys have a great coach. He absolutely blew me away. He had done his homework. He had plans set up to keep kids in our feeder schools from going to other schools (Maryville and Alcoa). He had passion. He is a proven winner. He has had great stability. He had everything we were looking for. The one thing that totally turned me on to him during the process really turned me against him in the end. He said on more than one occasion.....I want to be the next head coach at William Blount. He was offered that position on a Thursday night. One week later (which included numerous phone calls, text messages, and emails) after stringing us along, he says no. We wanted to have a coach in place before school was out. Our next guy lives in Alabama. He accepts the job but obviously can't get up here in time for the last day of school to meet with all of the coaches and players. So I personally felt like I was played by Fitzgerald. If he was really just blowing smoke in the interview and he didn't want to be the next coach at WBHS, then the least he could have done was tell us a week earlier. That bothers me. Coaching wise I think you have a great coach. Character and Integrity........probably good most of the time but he has to get an F on the grade card for the weeks of May 11 and May 18. We were teased and lied to while a couple of the committee members went far and above the call of duty to help make it work. My advice to Coach Fitz.....If you are really not 100% sure you want to coach at another school, then let them know after the interview process. It's fine to go and interview and see what you like or dislike but when it's time to get serious, bail out if you are not committed to go. Here is a great analogy to how this played out. Coach Fitz and Rhea County are married. William Blount was an attractive school. Coach cheated on Rhea for a week or so and promised WB that he would leave to join them. 10 days and a lot of heartache later, he returns to his brideschool and asks for forgiveness. In closing, I wish you guys and Coach Fitz at Rhea County good luck.

OH he can interview. That is for sure.

This whole process has been very unusual. The committee has been very quiet with the names of applicants and of those interviewed.

I told him we were a lock to go to the state tournament. That was how he was promised.

Interviews are over. Tough week with a lot of good coaches. First offer will probably go out today. Barring any unforseen setbacks, the new Governor coach could be announced very soon.

I know exactly who is on the committee. Of course the AD and Head Principal. The other 5 consist of parent rep, central office rep, school board rep, teacher/media rep, and teacher/coach rep. I know they finalize interviews on Thursday and will offer the position to their choice Friday Night after they have a meeting.

Baumann has been seen around other campuses.............Grace, CAK, ORHS......... /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> I have no prediction...all I can say is it will be one of the 5 interviewed.

He left OR on very good terms. I told you why he left. He knew I would be leaving very soon from OS and thought he would have a shot at a head coaching position very soon. Also, he was promised a trip to the state tournament with OS. As far as Todd's choice is concerned, it all depends on what his goals are. If Todd is interested in moving up the ladder in college, he should stay. If he would rather go back to the classroom and coach high school at a great place with great talent then he should be very interested.

Todd Wright left to become my assistant at Oliver Springs High School. I told him we were a lock to get to the state tournament and he made the move. I am sure he felt also that he would have a better chance of becoming a head coach quicker at OSHS. This turned out to be true as he was named head girls coach the next year after his one year stint with myself. I left to William Blount, he took over the girls program, had a successful 4 or so years then went to Roane St where he was successful and then just went to Maryville College last year. They were perfect in conference last year. He enjoys it there but pay of course is always going to be an issue when you are coaching at small colleges like that. Todd Wright will win and has worked with Chuck so he has an in. I think he is in the top 2 or 3 for the job without a doubt. He is interested and I assume an interview will come soon.

This thread is specifically for your opinion of who you think will be the new football coach which is supposed to be announced Monday, May 18. I don't really care about reasons, just predictions. Only one prediction per screenname please.

Nice try GovMan. First of all, I am on a few lists. But the short list for the ORHS vacancy is not one of them. I'm taking my 32-5 record to the grave with me. I couldn't handle a job like that for more than 2 hours. Too much time and stress for a laid-back guy like myself. Furthermore, no chance of getting back into any coaching as long as I have media jobs. Pays a lot more and work a lot less especially in the SUMMER!!!!

I was simply making a generalized statement. I have no idea who you are talking about and do not want to know. This was not a direct accusation at all. I could have easily said RB, WR, TE, whatever. I just have a problem when someone pulls their really good player out and then 2 years later wants to mention how bad the record is of the school from which they removed. Hello????? Of course they are strugging. It's really not anything that MHS and AHS have to deal with, and, due to their success, they really shouldn't.

Fair enough. We know though as I have mentioned in other threads how difficult it is to keep someone who has success. WB is like a mid-major. Most coaches that have success here get offers that are much better than Blount County can offer. The few that can remain are usually just extremely loyal (hard to find) or have average to below average records (Mike White). Now I liked Coach White great guy good coach...but record was never very good here. Blount and Heritage find themselves in a very difficult predicament. As far as working here day in and day out....GREAT place to work and teach. A lot of really good kids to mentor. Believe me when I say it.....I rarely ever dread a day of work here at WB.

Never bet against GQ. Never. Never. It does not matter who will be on the field in the Maryville/Alcoa game, Maryville will win...BOOK IT!

Didn't mean to hurt feelings....just talking about wins and losses. Schedule is still tough but the teams of the late 90's and 2000's have been more competitive..Out of Region games last year...Maryville, Sevier County, Dobyns Bennett...mix that in with Region Games with Ooltewah, Farragut, Oak Ridge....few weak sisters year in and year out. At least now Maryville is a "District" game and we can have a bit of an easier time outside of District. Karns and Jeff Co take the place of Maryville and DB outside of district. No Brainer. I don't laugh a lot while reading this message board...but I laughed out loud on this one. Believe me SG could definitely blow out some smoke.