HoopsTN1

Being from Dyersburg, I think you are right about your new coach. He always was animated on the sidelines even during jv games, and I heard good things about him. I have not seen the talent Lake Co has but if they are good I think his energy can help win some games. If players trust their coach it can make them a lot better. Hopefully he can establish the authority since he is so young. He can't just be their friend. Good luck this upcoming year

I heard the hire is all but official. Richard Ritz, a boys assistant at Dresden and good friend of Jeff Ward, assistant at Dyersburg, is going to be the new girls coach. From everything I have heard he is a very good hire. Its weird that both coaches for Lake Co. have had some buzz around Dyersburg, but everything I have heard has been good about both. I think there is greatly needed stability at Lake Co. now in both programs.

I don't think there is any way he tries and slows them down. I'm a dyersburg fan and from everything I have heard around town he is a good coach. I hope he does well up there and wish him the best.He is young but I think you guys got a good one. Everybody has to have a first job at some point.

I'm hearing the hire has been made. Cody Howard- assistant from Dyersburg.

Lake Co. actually plays tougher teams night in and night out than Dyersburg district wise. Dburgs district is sub-par at best. Westview was the only team to make it to region semi's last year. LC's district is probably the best single a district in the state. My point being Spencer didn't come to Dburg for more exposure I don't think, but thats just my opinion. Is there any names for the lake county job?

A lot of turnover at LC in one year. They need to get the hires right on this one.

I'm guessing all 5 of those teams have a lot coming back from last year. If so this district gets even tougher this upcoming year. A lot of players that have been through it a time or two by then and know what it takes to compete in the toughest single A district in the state.

I'm not sleeping on you all at all, trust me. What I was trying to say is that UC has a lot better chance then they did last year. Any team that makes it out of Memphis is ALWAYS tough, but you have to admit if they meet up again next year that game would be a lot more winnable then this past year. No disrespect to Mitchell at all. They are a top-notch program year in and year out.

How good will the 15-16 team be? Is the kid from Ohio still there? I know they are losing a couple of pieces but their program is always good. Is another district title expected, or will another team in the district be the team to beat? With Mitchell losing a lot and their coach UC may have shot to win another title if they can replace Deberry and whoever else they lost. Sisco always has a reload, not rebuild mentality up there. Thoughts?

Whomever Dyersburg gets will be a great hire based on who I've heard they interviewed. All are good coaches that have won in the past. Tough decision for DHS but it will all work out for the best IMO.

Good to hear!

If you want to base it all on winning you may have a fair point, but look at the players he's had the past few years. If he sacrificed keeping some trouble around the program to win then they would have had much more success, but he holds everyone of his players to a standard they must uphold. I think Mahafey is a really good coach that gets a lot out of his players on and off the court. Not many coaches like/will cut kids based off of behavior but he does.

So who do you think they go after?

Would Larue take the job after already taking the Crockett job? He's had previous success as a coach. Is there any other good coaches in the area?

With the right hire Westview will be at least a sub-state team. Once you get someone in there who will preach defense this is one of the top 8 teams in the state. They already know how to score the ball at will.

Any names you are hearing or anyone you think would be a good hire?

Who are the up and coming coaches in each part of the state? Any names?

CPA is good, don't get me wrong, but the fact of the matter is West TN is the hot bed of basketball in Tennessee. It's a lifestyle in this part of the state, just like football is in Middle and East TN. You look back at all of the state champs and runner-ups the past 10 years and they are a majority West TN teams. Just like if you look back at football, they would be Middle and East. What separates West TN from CPA is they have 8 or 9 deep that play at a very high level, and CPA has 2-4 like that. Just my opinion.

I find it funny that Haywood only got one player (Vanardo) on the all state team. So you're telling me that the state champions only have one all state player? I just don't agree with that. Thoughts?

I'm a young coach, and from my experiences there are two main criteria to get hired. 1. It's all about who you know. Connections are huge in any job because that lets your name spread from person to person. If someone with a good track record will vouch for you, that will greatly increase your chances of getting hired. 2. Being able to sell yourself. If you get an interview then you have to be able to sell yourself, as a coach, to the AD or whomever is doing the hiring. Make them believe you are the perfect fit for that program.

Which schools are going to head in a different direction by hiring a new coach after their season ends? There are always some surprise firings around the state.