novanglus

I think with this guy's resume, one has to wonder how long he plans on staying at Volunteer. I would be interested to know what some of the larger programs from the area said when they looked over his application. I hope I'm wrong, but Volunteer seems like a stepping stone for someone like Brown to get into a bigger program. It will be interesting to see how much attention they pay to him. Oh to be a fly on the wall.......

Congratulations to coach Brown. Does anyone know anymore about him? What kind of program does he run, he bringing new assistants, etc...? I hope he has as much success at Volunteer as he had in Florida. Any other word on coach Whittemore, is the word still Johnson Co. girls? Good luck to him wherever he lands, I am sure he will be successful.

Indeed it did not say Head Coach position. Most places post a head coaches position as a seperate job posting... It is hard to say, but I agree with you that as low of a profile as Hawkins County kept this seems to suggest that a coach, or at least a short list of coaches were already in mind (that kind of back scratching and home cooking is nothing new to this area, as I presume most on this thread know already). That is what got me my job, even in Kingsport, who you know gets you further than merit (not that it is right, but it is a fact of life). Who the new hire is will tell the tale. Should be interesting to say the least...

That is interesting, did they ever post the opening anywhere? They have posted an English job with coaching duties though, and Chris Brown teaches Language Arts at Miami Palmetto...

If Morrell wants a trivial time-filler, the Greeneville job is open and I'm sure it pays way better than VHS...with all that "donor" money and Greeneville needs another coach with D-I recruiting abilities. I agree Barb, in fact I would think the Greeneville job would be more appealing to Morrell as a longer term placement. However, I have to tell you that as a Volunteer fan I hope Greeneville goes with Brandon Reed. Win-win-win (win for greenevill in that Reed is a fine coach who is ready for a head coach position, win for Reed, and win for hawkins county fans like myself who would like to see a local graduate achieve something like that).

We can debate whether or not VHS wants Morrell for days. The real question should be, does Morrell want VHS? I mean really, with the paper trail this guy carries around it just doesn't sound right that he WANTS to be the head coach at Volunteer. He may show some interest if it will occupy his time until he lands his next college job, but the admin at vhs would have to be absolutely blind not to see that. This guy might make a heck of a high school coach, but as young as he is, and as much upper level experience as he has, I would tend to think a job at VHS would simply be a trivial time filler until he finds what he really wants (which I would immagine to be another college spot, or a larger high school spot.) It just doesn't make sense that he would pass on Betsy and West and come running to VHS...you do the math.

Apparently they have had some personnel changes at Clemson so it is plausible that Morrell has been told he will not have a job there next year. That being said, I do think it is a stretch to think he would return to the area and take the job at Volunteer, one would think he would have other college opportunities available, or at the least a more prestigious high school option than VHS. Although if he is interested, seems like it would be a great hire for Volunteer, so I agree hhsgamer VHS better dangle a carrot rather quickly to get him committed.

That's what I assumed too, Barb. His accepting another AA job(at Scott County) surprises me. Yeah seems like a lateral move to me....must be another factor It can't be money. Scott County can't possibly pay what Greeneville City schools pay. Indeed, GCS is a good job in terms of pay and in the quality of the program. Who will take over now? Any front runners been spotted?

I thought the same thing myself. I do know that I have heard some of those names rallypoint mentioned be brought up as potential applicants. I guess we will see by next friday if they have named a new coach, that would tell us interviews are over. I too am somewhat skeptical though, being as I have not seen any kind of posting for head BBall coach either.

Is that so? Well good for him, and Johnson County. I hope he does well there. It's kind of a shame West and Betsy turned a cold shoulder on him, I mean love him or hate him it is hard to argue that he is a good coach.

Well that doesn't sound like you are sure. I just don't see him going there to coach the girls team. My money says he would leave the area before he took that job.

Really? Doesn't sound like a job he would have been interested in. Are you sure about that?

Interesting stuff! From what I hear Chris Brown is moving to the area from Fla because his wife took a new job in the area, I think he has interviewed for a few other open spots around the area as well. As for Morrell, I had heard that he was on a watch list a while back, but like the folks on the Betsy thread were saying, it is hard to immagine him leaving a college program like Clemson unless he knows he isn't going to have a job next year. This is the first I have heard of Crowder so I have no input on that. And as far as Barnett goes, I have still been hearing his name float around with locals. Would be interested to know who the other candidate is... Should be interesting seeing who they go with. From the looks of things they should have a respectable fill for the spot if they choose from that list. I guess we will just have to wait and see! Has anyone heard anything about Coach Whitt? I'm curious to see where he ends up, would love to see him stays in the area.

Anyone know who the guy from Florida is?

To the best of my understanding, Barnett is on an alternative liscensing program, which allows a person to teach for a set number of years (usually 3) while they work towards meeting endorsment requirements. The information I have heard suggests that Mr. Barnett has not completed the required testing obstacles to be classified as a "highly qualified" teacher. As a teacher myself I can tell you that the endorsement requirements can be a real pain in the butt sometimes, but the state can be very strict about them. If Mr. Barnett is indeed entering his 4th year as a teacher and has not met the requirements, Hawkins County may not even have the option of giving him tenure. As for the posting, I noticed today that Volunteer has one math position with coaching duties posted, but no social studies (which was Whitt's subject). I've been scratching my head about this all day. 1. I wonder if the job posted is Barnett's job? 2. I wonder why Whitt's social studies position has not been posted yet? 3. I wonder why there has not been a posting for a head coaches position (usually when a posting is for a subject area with coaching duties it means as an assistant, or for a minor sport). 4. I wonder why there hasn't been any posting on TSSAA about the spot? And finally, as to why they would give it to Barnett, I have no idea. I tend to agree with your view that it sounds odd, but as I have stated, that is the word I have been hearing through the grapevine. ***Update*** A quick search for Barnett through the state liscense database reveals that Barnett is currently teaching on a Transitional license, which is a new type of license similar to the old Alternative license. Basically it appears that a person can teach on one of these licenses for 3 years so long as they prove that they have been working on fulfilling full license requirements. What is interesting though is Barnett is listed as being "highly qualified" in math, so the notion that there was some hangup with his license status may be a bunch of bunk.

Looks like Reed is unlikely to be in the mix since Duncan announced his resignation from GHS. That is unless GHS makes a quick move and names a new head coach who's name is not Brandon Reed.

Ran into a fellow who seemed to think he was in the know today at the barber shop. He brought up Barnett again, but said he thought there may be some issue with his teaching certificate. Anyone have any new word? I have talked to several who seem to think Barnett would do a good job if he gets the nod.

I would say you are right. However, I find it hard to imagine Whittemore staying just to teach. I know he has had offers in the past to leave, so I wouldn't think he would have a hard time finding a new coaching position, plus I think most would agree he was a coach first, then a teacher. I just don't see him hanging around just to teach. As an educator (who is not a coach) I don't have a problem with it because I see kids in my class everyday that need adult figures they can look up to for inspiration. Now in a perfect world I like to think that I provide that for my students, but the fact is a lot of my students will not see me that way. If a coach like Whitt can be that person by showing kids (and Whitt does this) how much they truly love what they do, then by all means let him be a coach first. What I am saying is this, there are a lot of kids that will not connect with a classroom teacher like they will with a coach they have. Education takes place outside the classroom, and education is more than 50% inspiration. If coaches like Whitt can inspire their players, and other kids by doing what they love to do then good for them. Secondly, I agree with Stokomo that this thread has unfortunately turned into a Whitt bash. I think we all need to get back to the topic at hand, which is, what is next for Volunteer? What kind of coach will be asked to fill the position? Who might that person be? Who is qallified and a good fit for the opening?

Anyone hear any word on who the new hire might be? My sources have all gone cold, and it appears this thread has taken a turn away from the original discussion. That being said, I would just say, from the perspective of a longtime fan of the program. I hope Coach Whitt finds a position he will be happy in. I know many around this area will be happy to see him go, while lots of others wish he could stay. I can say only this, he has always seemed to me to be a fair coach who loved what he did, and most all of his players seemed to love to play for him and for that he has my respect. Coach Whitt, I hope you find a position soon that will satisfy you and keep you on the floor, because regardless of what some of these folks say on here, you are a fine coach. Good luck and best wishes. As for the program, I would like to see the position filled with someone who will bring the same intensity we have seen over the past 11 seasons. Above all though, I hope the administration will seek and find a good person who coaches because he loves it, just like Coach Whitt (and Coach Mo for that matter).

I would say you are right. However, I find it hard to imagine Whittemore staying just to teach. I know he has had offers in the past to leave, so I wouldn't think he would have a hard time finding a new coaching position, plus I think most would agree he was a coach first, then a teacher. I just don't see him hanging around just to teach.

.

Has Reed already declined? I know you don't want to reveal your sources, but is that a solid statement?

I have spoken to several fans at baseball games an such, everyone I have talked to seems to think the same. I think the consensus is if Reed doesn't accept the offer asking Barnett would not be a big concession.

I do not know much about Barnett, but in reply to your question of why would they hire part of the problem: I think Whitt is a pretty dominant figure, I am not sure how much input his assistants have inside the locker room. From what I have seen, I doubt Whitt would change his tactics for anyone (I happen to like that quallity in a coach, so long as it is a good faith effort, in other words I like a coach who will stick to his guns). On the other hand, I too think an outside hire makes more sense at the moment. It just seems to me that Volunteer would do themselves more good if they hired a reputation in the form of a publicly attractive replacement.

I think he is the assistant coach. Not sure where he played himself, but from what I hear he is a pretty good coach. If I hear anymore about him I'll update.