oldbigredman

Sure D1 athletes would help but in 1997 when Ryan won the state championship they didn't have one D1 athlete on the team either. They played with fire and intensity. They believed they could win and did. That is an attribute towards the kids and the coaches because the coaches coached those kids up and made them believe and believed in them. So fault does lie within the coaching staff. Also, Ryan is losing the good Catholic kids. MBA has a freshman lineman - big boy - good athlete and he is from St. Edwards. MBA has several other catholic kids. Ryan can't afford to lose those and shouldn't lose those kids. I agree with the earlier post, unless the administration and alumni and board all make a group effort to bring back the pride of Ryan football, it will only be mediocre at best.

My response to this is Ryan fired Robert Jemison after 3 years because they didn't win. Why are they so inclined to give Lussier all these years? He has not proven anything at Ryan. I don't want to hear that he doesn't have the talen. Bull. He has a lot of talented kids they are just not being coached. While your head coach is your leader, you have to hold some fault with the assistants too that these kids aren't being coached up. In 1997, Ryan won the state. Gave the worst defeat Carlton Flatt had seen at his field 34 to 0. Ryan did not have one football scholarship athlete on that team that year. They played because they were coached well (Kurt Page, Jack Pittman, Robert Jemison, Pat Simpson, etc.) and they played with guts and heart. Ryan has lost that enthusiasm and they need a strong leader as well as an X's and O's guy to compete in this Division II league. I hope they can find it because it makes the league so much better by having more than just a couple of good teams.

Thanks Wes VLT for the BA - Ensworth comparison in stats! Wow! Almost identical. Can't wait to see this game.

I think I actually posted my question under the wrong topic - my question is with the few people I know at Ryan it seems like everyone wants a coaching change. If the administration follows suit, who can Ryan get that can bring back the enthusiasm and hard nose football Ryan used to be known for?

From the few people I know at Ryan, it seems like no matter what everyone wants a coaching change. If the administration follows suit, who can Ryan go after that will bring back the hard nose football it used to be known for?

I think the previous post had it correct. Ryan should not lose their feeder school athletes. Many of the parochial school athletes are choosing to go to other schools such as an MBA, Ensworth, BA. Ryan can't afford to lose the athletes that should naturally be coming to their school. That is the coaching staff's responsibility. It is sad to see Ryan go so far away from the traditions it once held in football. Hard nose tough football. In 1997 when they won the state title, they did not have one Division I scholarship athlete but their heart and desire and love for the game, their teammates, and their coaches they played hard and won on desire. Ryan went astray when they hired people that knew nothing of their tradition nor had any chemistry with the players and families. Hopefully, Ryan can find a way to get it back.

This is truly disappointing. Out of 80+ candidates this is the best they could find? Someone who doesn't have a winning record, hasn't won the state and averages 35+ points scored on him per game? Clearly, the headmaster cares nothing about the success of the football program. I feel sorry for the players who so desire to make it back to the state.

I agree with Shakinthefat. While they need a guy who can lead them on the field and win, they need someone who understands BA and its mission. I know there are a lot of good coaches out there; however, unless you have been a part of BA I don't think they will truly grasp its meaning and maybe someone would; however, after being burned by Potter I think the BA family wants to allow someone from within to take over. The best two cadidates are Jack Pittman and Floyd Elliott. They both have great football minds. Been coaching 25 plus years, the kids respond to them, they communicate and live by the BA's mission. I hope one of them gets a chance to take the relms.

I'm sure the process will be long and carefully thought out. I've heard from some people that the Potters are not leaving without causing a stir. For whatever reasons Potter chose to leave what is done is done. If they are holding some form of resentment towards BA my suggestion would be that they go ahead and transfer after the holidays. Both McCallie and Ba need to get on and look to the future and make their schools what they need to be.

BA went outside of the BA family last hire and it obviously did not work. Potter never believed in the mission of BA, he was always wanting to tear down the program to build back up. In my opinion you have one of the best group of assistant football coaches in the state. He would never listen to them it was his way or no way. Well we saw what that did for the program. They never won a championship. They really never beat a top team. Floyd Elliott, Jack Pittman, Jason Matthews - come on - any of these guys would be outstanding head coaches. BA doesn't have to look far for their next leader. These guys are well respected in the coaching community and the BA community.

You are right in the Francescon is not in the hunt but wrong about Pittman. Jemison (the Athletic Director) is the godfather to Pittman's sons. It is his to turn down. There are 3 other candidates from out of town they have interviewed. George Plaster is heavily involved in the process. Pittman has a son that will be a freshman next year at Brentwood Academy that is going to be a great lineman. I think he will have a lot to do with Pittman's decision.