Landman

Division is definitely a toss-up. I don't think there are going to be 2 dominant teams like USN and Webb last year. DCA, FRA, Ezell, USN, and Knox Webb can all beat each other on any given night. From what I understand, USN was winning the entire game and up 7 with 2 minutes to go. Ezell shot 44 free throws, USN shot 12. Now, I understand that one team might foul more than another, but a 32 shot discrepancy is ridiculous. Point is it doesn't matter, USN had chances to close the door and didn't. I do love the fact that MJCA is competitive this year. I really would like to see them upset some people.

Ben Winkel (center for MJCA) transferred in from Smyrna. He's actually a great kid, and just wanted a place where he could play a majority of the time. He quit Smyrna's team last year, knowing he could transfer and be eligible in December. When USN gets Ross Welch eligible, they would be the heavy favorite, however, they are going to have to go pretty deep before he is eligible to play.

Not sold that MJCA is a top 4 team in the EAST just yet, but will be more competitive than they have been since the days of Kitchen. Let's be honest here, no one has ever talked about MJCA on this board, so getting mentioned should be a huge confidence builder. If MJCA had the administration to really get after it, they could be a sleeping giant. They are in the middle of MJ and Central, and could do some things.

JPII has to stay. They are just above the cutoff.

Rutledge would be a good candidate. Brothers isn't going to CPA, his young kids are going to NCS. CPA has already reached out to Pack for some names....I'm thinking Wade from Ensworth would be a name, along with Ingle. If they back up the money truck and go D-II, they should definitely get Wade. He is a proven head coach, won 7 state titles in 4 classifications, and can help CPA weather the storm until they can move to D-II. Plus, he has been Pack, Bowers and Goodwin's #1 assistant along with his run at Davidson. Plus, with ole Drew being the admissions director, I'm sure they can find some football players

They like the "Big Name".....so I'm going Ingle Martin. Plus, his wife works there.

I'm not saying that, but I can't help you if you don't think that any of that plays a role. I don't think there is anything is wrong with it, but you made the statement "if it was all about wins and money, then....." you wouldn't be looking for a football coach. All 3 of those coaches left under different circumstances. Brothers and Wade were offered head jobs that allowed them to build their own programs, and not Coach Pack's. It didn't work out for Coach Brothers at Pope, but he's doing great things at NCS. Wade has done great things and helped CPA win 2 titles. Coach Pack left to get a better deal at Ensworth, and then parlayed that into his gig at FRA. What can I say? He's a smart guy. Note to the nieve, but high school athletics especially in the private school sector, is becoming about wins and money. If not, CPA would not have "gone in a different direction" with regards to Coach Mathews. If they hire from within (which I doubt) then it won't be about wins and money.

Instead the girls bball team went and plucked DA's coach, who by the way has a stud sophomore post player as a daughter. Her title "Director of Student Services"....but I'm sure she left Davidson for a "loving Christian environment" and not a pay raise, and a cushy job, and a chance to WIN a state title this year. I'm sure that didn't factor in at all.

CPA, while I respect your posts.....I respectfully disagree to say they "chose" to stay Division I to avoid sheltering their students from socio-economic groups and having a mission to the world beyond the private school. The fact is that they stayed Division I thinking they could compete with the big boys and better competition in football and basketball like Goodpasture and Lipscomb. This is further fueled by the mission of CPA hiring Drew Maddux as basketball coach and their recent basketball success and all of the sudden Jalen Lindsey is at CPA, along with Craig Bradshaw, and a slew of incoming freshmen talent that all of the sudden appeared at CPA. Thinking that stud athletes are coming in for the Christian environment above all is nieve. I do feel that CPA is a great opportunity for the right coach, as they are going to step it up a notch in football and there will probably be some big $$$$ involved.

CPA's not going Division II is the ultimate reason why they are looking for a head coach. However, as an outsider, I do think that CPA has underachieved since Coach Pack left for greener pastures, even with the multiplier. They should compete in the playoffs every year. There is no excuse for them not to.....Goodpasture and Lipscomb can do it, so can they. They opted to stay Division I, and will be paying for that error over the next 4 years in football. Whoever made the decision for them to stay Division I is the guy who needs to be fired, because that was the dumbest decision ever. I just don't understand CPA's administration thinking that anyone would want to go watch them play at Maplewood, East Lit. and teams like that. They have natural rivals in Division II that they can compete year in and year out. Who is on the short list of candidates? Whoever it is, make sure you get on the Drew Maddux "we'll get you in" plan......and things can turn around quickly.

Might be overboard....but I think the proof is in the facts. Ensworth backed up the money truck to pluck him and got what they wanted.......the Gold Ball. Fact: DCA went 8 years from 1988 before winning it in 1996. They did win it in 2004 as well. CPA never won a state title with Pack before CPW got there. They won 2 titles and had several kids go onto SEC schools. Davidson never won jack before he got there (Hence, the division might have been weak, but 3 titles is still tough to do no matter what division) - Bowers did not win it in football before he got there. (DII-AA state champ) - beat Smyrna regular season, beat BA 2x, MBA and Baylor 2x along the way. And you never rode in his race car.....I think we know who might be driving the race car behind the scenes.

I'm sure you could have done it.........If you can name me another coach that has accomplished this feat (7 golds at 4 schools) - I'd appreciate it........I'll hang up and listen. Also don't give me the crap about "play the public schools" - They smashed Smyrna 30-14.

No doubt. I apologize for the overlook. No disrespect intended.

All are great coaches. It is another era.......I just selected 3-4 off the top of my head. The Satterfields, Coach Grider at South Pitt, and Coach Martin at Goodpasture should also be considered.

Sure....that's why they totally imploded in the playoffs until this year. I'm sorry your daddy couldn't handle the pressure. How many rings did that guy win at Ensworth?

With Ensworth associate head coach Paul Wade winning his 7th ring at his 4th different school.....is that more impressive than what Coach Flatt, Netherland or Coach Rankin have done? Not saying it is, but pretty impressive resume. DCA - 1996 - 1st job - Wildcats had not won a state title since 1988.....as an assistant beats Trousdale County and South Pittsburg and then ROMPS St. Benedict 51-3 in the finals. CPA - Lions had never gotten over the hump. Comes in and assists Coach Pack to win 2 state titles at CPA. Davidson Academy - takes the HC job at a school that had never been a major player or won jack. 3 state titles Ensworth - Bowers hires him, 1st year starts 0-2, loses starting RB, top lineman in the state, and rallies the Tigers to their 1st state title. 7 rings at 4 different schools......and as mentioned DA wasn't exactly a powerhouse when he got there.

Pretty irrelevant.....officials don't make calls based on game temperature. The state championship is a reward based on their regular season. Baylor was up 21-7, they have no one to blame but themselves.

And he just got his 7th state championship ring. Also has a HUGE..................ring case. The shorts are part of his game. Everyone wants to talk about how great Rankin is, CPW just won a state title at his 4th school (DCA, CPA 2x, Davidson 3x and now Ensworth) Basically, he just helped coach these guys from their RB tearing his ACL, to 0-2, to losing a top 100 player in the country, to the state title. While Ensworth does have a stable of great players, losing your starting RB and going 0-2 off the bat is no confidence builder. If I am Brentwood Academy, or one of the Memphis private schools, or a team out of Georgia with lots of $$$$, I would have to call this guy about interest in a HC position. There is nothing he hasn't done yet. He has won at every level he has coached at. He is also going to be the OL coach in the East/West game.....every coach there is a HC at the thing, but him. That tells you in itself what his peers think of him. Ask David Pack, or Ricky Bowers if the guy can coach football. Both of them hired him and are the highest paid guys in the midstate right now. The guy could coach OL or DL in college...... Congrats to Ensworth and Coach Wade for adding some more hardware. And I hope Mr. Frist and Tim McGraw are getting the Xmas bonus checks ready.

That's positive thinking. I am not sure what to think of St. George. But as 11-0 and hosting, I'm assuming they would be the favorites. I think #40 has to go off for 200+ yards which is possible for DA to win. DA has to limit their mistakes, force some turnovers, and control the clock. If DA scores at the 2 inch line twice, the game last week is out of hand. I'm sure St. George will be tough to beat, and it will be interesting. I don't think #40 goes down without a fight.

I don't live in East Tennessee, but do we really need to ask this question?

Looks like Ensworth squeaked by MBA with Corn only going for 304 yards. I bet Antonio wishes he could pass Algebra II about now.

I think DII-AA will be very competitive in the East and West. I'd say the favorites have to be CBHS, Briarcrest, and MBA would be my guess....but I would never count out Ensworth, McCallie, or BA. Ensworth has McDermott on the inside with Elder as well as a deep rotation. Definitely going to be more competition in DII-A this season than usual. I don't see Knox Webb being as good this year with losses to graduation It will be a battle for sure in the East, and Knox Webb might win by default. If USN can get the DCA transfer eligible, or get to substate, they will be a force to be reckoned with. In the west, it is anyone's guess with ECS, Lausanne, St. George's, and USJ should all be competitive. It's tough to pick out of that group.

Not saying that couldn't hack it, but pretty obvious to everyone that them as well as ECS moved down to win the state in football. If you don't think so, you are being nieve. Knox Webb couldn't hold a candle to the heavyweights in DII-AA.

It is clear to everyone in DII-A that the only reason that ECS and Webb dropped down was to win the state in football. Now, they do have the right to drop down due to their enrollment, so that is not their fault. But some of the DII-AA powers have that option as well with their enrollment. It just makes little since for a school to have almost double the enrollment and play in the same division as some schools. But, the TSSAA doesn't make much sense of anything in regards to football it is all about the $$$.......We have 8 state championships, some BS multiplier rule, etc. What needs to happen is the private schools completely split from the public schools......It is only fair for both parties involved. Private schools should not be made to play with a multiplier in D-1, and public schools should not have to compete against private schools who can give financial aid or don't (supposedly), recruit, have better facilities, etc. It is nieve to think that private schools don't recruit....Now some have advantages over others in regards to how much financial aid can be offered, but that is for a different argument. But I'd say in the East/Middle region....DCA, DA, and FRA are all on the same level with your MJCA, Zion, Riverside, etc. bringing up the rear. It would be so much better if BGA dropped down, Friendship, Goodpasture, CPA, and Lipscomb came over to D-II......some might choose to play up, but those schools have their reasons. DA, DCA, and FRA also all have natural rivalries as those schools have played in the same district/region over the last 3 decades. I've been a little suprised at the playoffs, but that's what the playoffs are about. DCA comes back against FRA, then lays an egg against Webb, then again hosting JCS. I think DA and FRA could possibly get another win each. It will be interesting to say the least.

Suprised to see DCA lose as well....however titling a thread "What's up with Donelson Christian" from an SBEC fan is ridiculous. Your school isn't even in the state of Tennessee and has never won jack. Plus, your record vs. Davidson Academy is like 1-8. I don't think there is a significant drop off, however I do think Knox Webb is clearly the best team in the East/Middle. And it will be tough to knock them off when their enrollment is almost double of any other team in the division. You can put Davidson, FRA, and DCA all in a hat and any one of them can beat each other week to week.