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Good news for Maryville. Quarles has been approached along with a few other top coaches. However, he is a back-up. Rector is the primary target. My intel is that it is Rector's job to accept or decline. If he declines, they will move down the list.

In the early 80's anyway, I recall the problem being that BA was a single A size school. You could only voluntarily move up one above your size. After that, you had to be voted into a district. The district with Gallatin and Mt Juliet was the only district to award (1) vote to BA. It was Mt Juliet, who was coached by Coach Flatt's cousin that usually voted "yes". One vote was not enough, of course. He relentlessly attempted to schedule games with AAA schools, but was rarily successful. The great Maplewood series was one of the exceptions. Most of the AAA coaches used to say "...everything to lose and nothing to gain".

Typical response when faced with irrefutable facts.

Are you saying Tom Moore is no longer a Christian? I am pretty certain you are mistaken. Regardless, I agree there would not be much of a chance. The headmaster that did not hire him originally and fired him is the person making the choice.

I am pretty sure that was some fellow East Tennesseans that made those guarantees. I heard a Texas coach interviewed during the Summer and he demanded an immediate answer. It was evidently a big successful Texas progam and the coach was in shock that BA was not jumping at the chance. The BA folks said that if they had to give him an answer then - it was, "no". He may have softened on his terms since them. I have not heard anything more about that in a while. I am guessing Coach Brothers, but I have heard the Ravenwood coach is a strong contender. Once again, guesses and rumors.

Coach Flatt announced to the BA Football Team today, that he has retired. No other details at this time.

I don't think any BA people were saying that on this board. However, since then, and I did not even mention it because it was just talk. I did hear for the first time from BA people that there has been talk with Coach Potter. When I asked why he would possibly be interested? I was told that one of the BA theories was that there is not a lot of talent in the immediate pipeline at McCallie and he likes to win. Now, that is a RUMOR that I heard the night of our Championship game. I have not heard it from a second source, nor have I heard it again. Shortly after that I heard much stronger rumors that Coach Rutledge was interested. I think both of those guys are too smart to take the job without getting the athletic director job and I am not sure if that job is available.

Another classic RRR. Right on the money.

Fair enough. I believe public and private must tell their story to prospects. They must provide a prospective student information about their school. This information may or may not included specific reasons on why the school is a good fit for them. I do not deny BA does this. I do deny that BA provides "undo influence". Many investigations and our judicial system support my denial.

Squint, there is a chance that you are telling the truth about yourself. I doubt you are being truthful - I do not know for sure. However, I do know that Brandan Wright's family visited many private schools and they knew when they visited Brentwood Academy "they were home". This is exactly what his mother told me. She said that no one BA, MBA nor Goodpasture pressured or called them at home (this is illegal and called undo influence) NO ONE testified during the multi-million dollar trials that this occurred. However, many people told stories like yours, but when they were questioned seriously by investigators from TSSAA and Metro Board of Education, they all changed their stories. I contend they decided to tell the truth when the situation changed from popping off at the mouth to something where telling the truth was important. Dennis Harrison (David's Dad) is, also a friend of mine. He wanted his kid to go to BA from the start. No one had to talk them in to it. I will be polite and say that I know for a fact that you are "mistaken" about David Harrison and Brandan Wright. I am surprised you left out the part where they offered your dad a job and/or a new car for yourself.

I bet Croy gets out of the region at 189. He is a beast. I agree he should cut to 171, but his mental and technical skill will impact more than you think.

1. I believe that your questions are rooted from a stereo type that you have in your head. An overwhelming minority of the 70 or so kids at BA who receive financial aid play football. Everyone has to pay something. No one attends BA for free. To directly answer your question - I consider the "financial aid for underprivileged students living outside the city limits of Brentwood" an opportunity for all qualified students to have the opportunity to attend a college prepatory school dedicated to nurturing and challenging the whole person - body, mind and spirit - to the glory of God. I hope you don't feel only families that can afford the $13000.00 per student should have the opportunity. 2. We go to your stereo type again. BA is not all about athletics. Sports stories are what make the news, so your stereo type is understandable and common. Many Brentwood residents that sit on the bench at BA would make major contributions to the athletic teams at BHS and/or Ravenwood. However, they and their parents are not at BA just for the athletics. BA is about a LOT more than athletics. Those things just are not in the Sports page every week. 3. BA is usually top 5 in the nation (as high as 2nd) in Forensics. There have been years where BA graduates have received appointments to all three service academies in the same year. Keep in mind BA is small. That is impressive. You are not acquainted with these facts and the many other benefits that Brentwood residents and the "under privileged" students enjoy from BA that far exceed athletics. They just don't get a lot of media attention. I challenge you to rationalize how Brentwood Academy could continue to thrive and grow in Brentwood with top public schools all around it, that people could attend for free. Hundreds of Brentwood families pay 13K to send their kid to BA. Most of those kids will either not play football or basketball and probably 98% of those kids will not start on the football or basketball team. I contend that BA must be offering something else (maybe not Chinese or Italian) to continue to thrive. If you dropped by to view the new multi-million dollar fine arts center, you might begin to understand. You have to look beyond the sports page to see the value.

That is a very good point.

I understand your thoughts about Tom Moore. However, remember he was an MBA alum, so there is a good argument that he had it coming. Just kidding! Seriously, the best defense from BA's perspective was that a new young headmaster was hired from Miami, FL. Upon arriving, he said, wait a minute - I did not hire this guy. Why do we have one of the winningest coaches in TN high school history not coaching? I want to "play my best players". He then made all of the moves. I do not expect this explanation to make you feel good about what happened. However, it takes the edge off of it, if you don't think of Coach Flatt going back on his word and personally stabbing Tom Moore in the back. In all fairness I think he was very happy to go along with his boss's decision. I felt similarly about Ingle Marting at Florida. I felt the new coach came in and gave him the shaft when he seemed like the better QB. My Florida friends came up with some fancy reasons, as well.

MBA would have no problem getting another top coach. In fact I heard that one of the coaches that Rutledge beat for the MBA job was Rankin among others.

I am positive that BA did not approach Coach Johnson. They were not even searching at that point.

My sources all indicate that Jeff Rutledge will be the next coach at BA. I have even heard "athletic director". This includes a source at MBA. I am not trying to stir anything up. I am just reporting what good sources have told me. This, therefore, still qualifies as a rumor.

"The Drive" saved McCallie's rear end! They were clearly the best team and the drive saved them from an upset. The next year is when MBA beat a superior BA team. THAT was much more painful. I think McCallie is a better team this year, as well - overall. BA might have a small talent edge. However, McCallie has a great offensive scheme with a great QB. BA will have to beat the McCallie offensive line. That is their only hope (save an unlikely McCallie turn-over melt down). BA did not beat the McCallie offensive line in the first meeting. I thought we would, but the offensive line was outstanding.

Ford is just part of the puzzle these days. Mainly because the passing game is more reliable (QB is more comfortable, throwing to the big TE). Things that were not happening for us the first part of the year. Defense is about the same, so if you can score 31, you might be right about the upset. I think that is probably about what it will take.

What can I say...another RRR classic.

I agree that it is hard to imagine the play-offs without MBA and the fact that they have this to play for makes them very dangerous. However, I can not get past the fact that Baylor is a darned good football team. Baylor 21 MBA 10

Thank you! Your President wrote a very classy letter explaining the situation and everyone at Brentwood Academy appreciated his explanation. It was very classy of him. There is no bad blood that I know of.

It was just "one of those days" that occured during "one of those seasons". Every program on every level will have a few over the course of time.

It is clear to me now. If you put pressure on Caffee and he is dead set on throwing, you might get a turn over or a sack, but at least an incomplete pass. If you pressure and he takes off, good positive yardage for BA. He is pretty quick and a very fullback like with no inclination to slide. Two games this year he did the later. The other games <GULP>.

Possibly not enough MBA horses are there this year, but they were not there in the 2002 Clinic Bowl either. I agree the Rutledge factor can not be forgotten. The BA horses are more than there but just have not played anywhere close to expectations. So not much comfort level for me. It just keeps getting better at Carlton Flatt Field. We continue to share our home bleachers with our guests AND no more long hikes for the players. The new athletic building is field-side!