Metroman

Just curious. Is Vandy still interested in Bubba?

Hillsboro or Centennial should win the district. Brentwood is always well coached and will somehow finish in the top three. Then, I'm going with Overton. A new coach always brings new enthusiasm. Spring Hill, Franklin will be in the next teir. Hillwood, Hickman County, and Ravenwood will be near the bottom. To Recap: 1. Hillsboro 2. Centennial 3. Brentwood 4. Overton 5. Spring Hill 6. Franklin 7. Hillwood 8. Hickman County 9. Ravenwood All that said, this is really a toss up year. I don't think Hillsboro is as strong as many have made them, and there is strong talent and/or coaching all the way to number 6.

His brother is.

What I meant was what makes a good college player isn't what makes a good high school player. Sometimes, people are hyped a little to much. Other times, a girl peaks her sophomore year.

I can see why people would question a college coming to a playday. The kids are still rusty and coaches aren't concerned about winning. Let me give you a couple of reasons. First, there is more talent at the Shelbyville playday than at the state tournament. In fact, the only thing that might compare to it is the AAU state tournament. College coaches haven't started their seasons, so it is easy for them to get away to look at some prospects. They don't want to spend one day watching one player. They want to spend 1 day watching 20 players. Second, most college recruiters can evaluate talent very quickly. Let them watch a kid warmup, and then watch how they play for a half a quarter, and their done. They are looking for a kids attitude, skill level, and potential. If they find someone interesting, they'll dig deeper. The Shelbyville playday gives them a chance to find some new prospects. That's why it doesn't matter if the teams are at their peak. I remember sitting with an assistant coach at the playday and she said about a player, "no left hand, too small, too undisciplined on defense", and then moved onto the next player. And do you know whats amazing, the coach was dead on. The highly touted girl hasn't been nearly the player in college while others who were less touted have done much better.

Well stated

I think that you might have to include Brentwood, Antioch, and Hunters Lane. Granted, all three compete in a weak region, but they all have pretty good teams. The question is, who do you bump out to put any of these in. I might move out Mt. Juliet. They have lost all of their players from that team two years ago and will be young. I don't think that Gallatin deserves to be there. They graduated there best player and a few others. I think that puts Hunters Lane and Brentwood in with a good, young Antioch team ready to show their stuff.

Not long. I have never seen her play, but people I know and respect think she could be really, really good. I'm talking Tiana Burns good.

First, the best player in Metro is Tiffany Arnold from Hunters Lane. She works hard and is a great athlete. She'll end up at a mid-major college next year. There a few good ones after her. Chantelle Blakley and Tiffany Daniel from Antioch. There are some talented players from Hillsboro. T'Qwana Pendergast is a post player from Maplewood who could be really good. Overall, this is a bit of a down year for talent in Metro. Really only one solid senior. This years sophomores and freshman could be very good.

I do have to diplomatic, but I really do think that Coach Reed is a good fit. I have a lot of respect for our administration, and I am not just saying that. They are not afraid to make tough decisions. Like the decisions or not, there are some things that needed changing at our school, both in and out of the athletic department. As for getting a head coaching job in Metro, we'll see. I am more concerned at where I am teaching than where I am coaching, that's why I'll be happy here for a long time. This is the best coaching situation in Metro.

#1-I have been at Overton since the 1997-1998 season and have been both the girl's freshman coach and the assistant varsity coach. #2-As for the improvement in the team, it has to do with discipline and attitude. Not that any of the other candidates wouldn't have brought discipline to the program, but Coach Reed seems to have already left a mark. Many of the kids have made comments that the conditioning is more demanding than it ever was with Coach Fuller. The future will show if that is true, but at least there is a change. #3-I have no idea who will get the baseball job. I don't think its been posted yet.

To tell you the truth, I have no idea about Coach Reed's certification. I have spoken to all of the principals about the hiring process, but nothing specific to anyone but me (what I need to work on, what I should do before the next time I interview I have, what kind of things they felt were my strengths and weaknesses). At no point did I press any of them to find out about any other candidates. I think sometimes a choice like this comes down to a gut feeling, and their guts told them to go with Coach Reed. Let me also say this, I think Coach Reed is an excellent fit for our school. I am not saying that Coach Fey, or any of the other candidates wouldn't have done a good job. I just know that there has already been a change in the program for the better. I anticipate Overton to have a pretty good year.

Coach Reed is a reasonable candidate for the job. He's has been an assistant with a Stratford team that has done very well the last few years. He appears to be hard working and knowledgable. Lets give the guy a break. The same things were said about Coach Sewell last year. I think we would all agree that Hunters Lane had a good year last year in a tough district. I understand why people got upset about the Glencliff hire, but this one and the Hunters Lane are not bad hires. Both candidates look good on paper and I hope they both do well. As for the affirmative action comment, we need as many good, black role models in our schools as we can get. Don't get me wrong, that should not be a factor in the hiring process. Coach Reed wasn't hired because he's black. Good luck to Coach Fey and all the others who applied.

Coach Reed is a reasonable candidate for the job. He's has been an assistant with a Stratford team that has done very well the last few years. He appears to be hard working and knowledgable. Lets give the guy a break. The same things were said about Coach Sewell last year. I think we would all agree that Hunters Lane had a good year last year in a tough district. I understand why people got upset about the Glencliff hire, but this one and the Hunters Lane are not bad hires. Both candidates look good on paper and I hope they both do well. As for the affirmative action comment, we need as many good, black role models in our schools as we can get. Don't get me wrong, that should not be a factor in the hiring process. Coach Reed wasn't hired because he's black. Good luck to Coach Fey and all the others who applied.

Here's a link to the Tennessean article on the hire of Romie Reed. http://www.tennessean.com/sports/localspor...ent_ID=22240179

Interviews start next week. I have no idea how many or who they all are.

I haven't talked to him, but I don't think that the assistant is even applying. He has junior high age kids that he wants to be around more. I may be wrong, but that is what he said a long time ago. I do know that several coaches inquired about the position, including several who already have jobs in Metro. It may take the administation a few weeks to even sort through all of the applicants.

I am not sure how to put it, but the new principal is in a difficult position. She has made many decisions in the school that needed to be made, and some of them aren't very popular. For example, teachers are held more accountable for keeping parents informed, not letting kids wander the halls, etc. Thats a good thing, but some teachers feel a bit up tight. With regards to the coaches, I think it depends on who you talk to. Dr. Dillard has made all coaches more accountable for their budgets, but she stays out of the day-to-day affairs. The exact opposite was true of Dr. Hammond. So some coaches like her, others don't. Overall, I think that the changes she has made in and out of the athletic arena have been good. I have recieved nothing but support. She isn't afraid of doing what she thinks is the right thing, even if it ruffles some feathers. You have to respect her leadership in that regard. I hope the whole Fuller thing works out for the better of the school. It really caused a lot of tension towards the end of the year. No one knows the entire story and the speculation (on this website, in the paper, and through the rumor mill)has caused a lot of damage to reputations of both Coach Fuller and Dr. Dillard, as well as the school.

I don't think anyone really knows what the status of the whole thing is. From what I understand, the people at Overton haven't had anything to do with this since March (I think that is when he was placed on leave). The people at the board have handled everything. My guess is we'll have to know something by the start of the school year.