Vol9093

14 minutes ago, stephenhargisunderstudy said:

My concerns in order are:

1. Head coach experience as a high school coach is a limited sample size with disappointing results  (7-23). The guy has never coached in a TSSAA playoff game or at a DII school.

2. Middle School coach for the last ten years. You convinced me he did a great job there. But, dude had numbers. You guys said it yourself, biggest middle school in RuCo. 

3. How will he get guys when the cup does not runneth over with numbers? 

If Pierce was such a sure thing at Blackman and a staple of the middle school development, etc. why wasn't he hired to be on staff with Kriesky when he was hired? 

Point 1 Valid

Point 2 Yes, had players for sure

Point 3 Time will tell but understand your concern.  I will say this, Ensworth, BA, etc. would raid the roster every year.  They have a bus that comes to RuCo to get the kids and take them to school.  CJP has probably learned a thing or two about how that process works and can do the same thing.  Your administration needs to be on board though.

Point 4- My understanding is that Pierce was asked to be on Hartfield, Tygard, and Kriesky's staff as an Offensive coach but he turned down the offers because he liked having control of his own team and there would be a drop in pay.  

My advice is that wait and see how he does.  I see the cause for concern but I think you'll be pleased with how things turn out 

1 hour ago, stephenhargisunderstudy said:

"THE largest middle s school in the state of Tennessee with over 1600 students. A football program with 70 players."

I think this statement is meant to convince others, but for me it raises questions more than anything. Blackman Middle has 1600 kids in 6-8 and he got 70 of them.  DCA has maybe 200 kids in high school? 

I see the point of the post saying he has run a large program at a large Rutherford county middle school that is larger and better ran than most public high school teams in the area.

But, he does not have 1600 kids to pull from here. He has about 100 guys in the entire high school versus 800 guys in the entire middle school. How does he manage that if you are use to having 70?

I don't necessarily see him building the roster in some type of huge number adding overhaul. Not because he's incapable, but because the numbers don't really allow for that with such few kids. The academy has always had a handful of athletes who did not want to play football. And another group of high school guys that don't play sports at all.  The DCA roster will be somewhere around 30-35 kids. The point to this post is he didn't have to do that at Blackman. He had numbers, kids showed up and were coached well.  But there was not much effort to find guys because the school was so big.

I think the most telling sign of his success will be what you mention, though. Does JP  have the ability to convince guys to play that have not in the past. If he can get the numbers to around 40 instead of 30, that will be a good sign.  

You bring up many valid points, here.  I am a Blackman guy and when I heard the news , I wanted to see what you guys thought about the hire.  I'm a little confused though,  first you said, he's not qualified because he's just a middle school coach and can't handle a job of this magnitude.  Then you said he's not qualified because he's coming from a program that is too big.  My understanding is that he's an alum and has played there and understands that at this level, kids have to play both ways. At the end of the day, I don't have a dog in this fight, but you need to know that BMS's football program is no joke.  They start conditioning in late January, have Spring practice in May and then a full Summer of workouts before the season starts.  It is ran just like a high school.  You are right though.  Blackman is loaded with talent every year.  CJP will have to get players out of the hallways to come out.  But that's where I'll think that he'll do well.  He's use to relating to young kids and getting them excited for ball.  Not sure he can get the players, but if he can, I can guarantee you that they  will be coached very well.  It is an out of the box hire that I think will pay off big!

The Blaze have their 5th coach in 10 years. For the Seniors on this team, this is their 3rd head coach, all with very different philosophies. The wins will come, but what Blackman needs most right now is consistency. Give Kriesky time. I believe he'll produce a winning program.  I am proud of these Seniors for battling through all of the changes through the years. They are getting better every week!

1 hour ago, CougarDadx2 said:

So - how about some facts to back it up! He must have butt hurt you pretty bad. Especially expand on the missing for 2 months, please provide dates - I would challenge you show more than a 1 week stretch that he was not there. As for money, please provide details of the "borderline criminal" transactions. The program was nearly broke when he arrived, and he left it about the same. Strange that the players you specifically named all speak well of him. Go be bitter somewhere else one post wonder.

You are right. Hartsfield's last year was the COVID year. Gates were half of what they normally are. Concessions barely broke even. Those income streams account for 2/3 of the money necessary to run a 6A program. They weren't broke because of mismanagement, it was on the inflow side. 

1 hour ago, arshad221 said:

Yea that response confused me also cause what was the state of the program prior to tygard? They didn't even have a decent workout schedule, folks were quitting and rejoining the team left and right. Prior Mr. Football candidates? Prior D1 athletes on the roster? Busted for doing what exactly? Same thing Oakland does? Come on man 

I've heard this multiple times regarding workouts. Coach Hartsfield had a really good strength program. Dr. Justus didn't allow the team to do workouts normally that last year because of COVID restrictions. It wasn't Hartsfield's fault.  The players that quit the team and were allowed back on were transfers from another school. I agree with you. Hartsfield should not have allowed them back on the team, but he felt the kids were better off being on the team than not. 

Just now, Vol9093 said:

LA is ranked 19th in the country according unapproved website. What's you're expectations?

According to a national high school publication. Coach T won't allow it to be said on this website 

On 8/12/2023 at 6:20 AM, Blaze45 said:

Was not overly impressed with what I saw last night against Lipscomb . I know its just a scrimmage, but it was a scrimmage for both teams, so thats an excuse . If what I saw was indicative of the season ahead it looks like a return to basics will have them playing for 4th or 5th place in the district. Thats hard to say as someone who has always carried the Blackman flag. 

LA is ranked 19th in the country according unapproved website. What's you're expectations?

35 minutes ago, Wetsy4Betsy said:

Hear the wing T is coming back to the blaze!!

You can go to NFHS network and watch his last couple of years at Ravenwood. Shotgun power spread. I'm a big fan of the shotgun wing T. Would love to see that at Blackman!  

The OC from Ravenwood, Matt Duncun, is now with the Blaze!  Great hire!!

45 minutes ago, arshad221 said:

Stop trolling dude 

Trolling: The art of deliberately, cleverly, and secretly pissing people off, usually via the internet, using dialogue. 

This was not my intent. You are right though, my statement could be seen as divisive and incendiary.  Because I won't give examples in a public forum like this, I shouldn't have written that. My apologies. 

Started to hear some things in the fall that was troubling, but what I'm hearing now is embarrassing.  Kriesky has a mess to clean up.

44 minutes ago, Vol9093 said:

If the debate is which coach or style faired best against Creasy, here are the results

Watson:  0-4   Lost by an average score of 23.75 points per game

Hartsfield:  0-3  Lost by an average score of 15.67 points per game

Tygard:  0-3  Lost by an average score of 29 points per game

Guys, I made a mistake in my math

Watson: 23.75 points per game

Harstfield: 22.33 points per game

Tygard:  29 points per game

Sorry for the mix up.  These old eyes are starting to fail me!

12 hours ago, Blaze45 said:

Congrats... I am 54 spent my youth in Texas playing and watching ball in west Texas.   No where did say I wouldn't give the guy a chance, What I said is I don't think he was the right hire. Tell me you would take him over your coach??Or tell me you believe he is a coach that is going to contend with or beat Creasy? If you are not making progress you are falling behind. I didn't see this as an upgrade and the only thing anyone has said is he brings stability. 

If the debate is which coach or style faired best against Creasy, here are the results

Watson:  0-4   Lost by an average score of 23.75 points per game

Hartsfield:  0-3  Lost by an average score of 15.67 points per game

Tygard:  0-3  Lost by an average score of 29 points per game

What do you guys think Blackman's record would be this year if Tygard stayed?  Keep in mind he has to replace half of his staff and Ravenwood is on the schedule. 

3 minutes ago, DawgsPBS said:

Top youth league in the state hands down. They have blown past Smyrna and everyone else unfortunately. We are all playing little old rec football and They travel to other states to play elite travel teams. 

Top middle school program. Neck and neck with Oakland at the middle school level. 

stability at the high school level and they will be a solid program every year. 

Agree with all of your points! By alignment, I mean same schemes, lingo, etc. For example, if High School runs a 4-3 defense then all of the programs run a 4-3. If the high school runs I formation on offense, then all programs run I formation. It's how it is set up at Oakland, Maryville, and Alcoa. By the time these players get to high school they already know the system. 

8 minutes ago, AllSidesEqualBoro said:

37-38?? But they need stability moving forward so I understand. Unfortunately you’re playing for 2nd place in this district anyway. I think it makes sense, and the RuCo ties help. But 37-38? Probably could’ve done better, but the previous coach made them select safe! We’ll see. And don’t get in your feelings about this post, not knocking K at all. Honestly think that’s what that program needs right now

54-42 when you include his time at Forrest. Understand the concern, but I agree with you, he's who is needed at Blackman right now. Hopefully he can get the youth program, middle school, and high school in alignment. It might take a year or two, but If he can, watch out. 

2 minutes ago, Blaze45 said:

Solid....... 4th or 5th place from now on

Maybe. However, I disagree. We'll find out. 

39 minutes ago, 2minutedrill said:

It's official Kriesky to Blackman

Solid Hire!

23 minutes ago, Blaze45 said:

Yes I am friends with Tygard, but I am also friends with Kit Hartsfield. David Watson and was a very loyal Shadowens supporter and publicly fought to keep him, and have a better understanding of what actually happened with him. That said. I The parents complaining today, have no clue where the culture was prior to Tygard. I don't blame Kit or David either one. but discipline was waning in favor of keeping the best players on the field, Winning trumps everything. even though that is not their personal viewpoint but rather the expectation. 

Tygard was fortunate that his best players were also good leaders. I can tell you I heard a hand full of complaints, but the vast majority all tied back to "we aren't building depth" code for my son is not getting enough playing time. True enough Tygard played his best players and sometimes that was both ways. You want playing time ? Get better.... nobody owes you. That is part of the too soft culture that was existent when he took the helm. You don't get junkyard dog by spoon feeding your puppies..... 

I agree with you there. The things that Shad allowed JJ to get away with and didn't bench him is staggering. 

25 minutes ago, Blaze45 said:

The same number they won the last 16 year's. If the only thing you measure success by is rings, you already missed the boat. Rings are great, but thiis program was a far cry better with Tygard than it was prior as far as discipline and attitude. 

I know from previous post that you're friends with Tygard, so I understand your passion and defending his tenure here. And....you might be right. Having said that, from the parents I have spoken to, most would disagree with you that the culture is better now than under previous regimes.   

3 hours ago, DawgsPBS said:

Blackman needs to be thinking 5-10-15 years in the future with this pick. This is their 5th HC in 12 years. Do you want to win the press conference or have a solid stable foundation for years to come? Kriesky would bring that stability.

I would argue that Kriesky Woods or Crouch will have a better record 2023 at Blackman than Tygard would have. Day 1- The defense is better. Day 1- no more onside kicks every time or never punting. Day 1- You will have a run game.

Tygard would be 5-5 without Brown, Marshall, Page, Risner. It would be worse than year 1. 

Dawg is spot on!  People also need to understand that this is not just a coach that you are hiring but also a teacher.  Yes, at Blackman, you have to teach.  Some of the coaches interviewing probably don't want to teach, or fund raise.  On top of that, they want to make more than they are currently making.  Kriesky will bring stability and toughness that Blackman has been lacking the last two years.  Will he throw it 80% of the time, like Tygard does?  I sure hope not.  Hope that he brings a power run game, with play action pass and solid Defense.  

31 minutes ago, MJGOLDENBEARS said:

Just like he did well at Riverdale… Kreisky was a minion of Coach TP while at Mount Juliet. Most people don’t know nor care but I like to force people into uncomfortable thoughts. 

You have the wrong Kriesky.  They are twins, so I can understand the confusion.  Centennial coach is the one being considered for Blackman.

5 minutes ago, Vol9093 said:

Krieisky is the best hire.  He can connect the youth program, middle school, high school, and alumni.  Has lots of experience running a 5/6 A program.  From what I've seen, his teams play hard and are disciplined.  He'd do well at Blackman.

Kreisky

Krieisky is the best hire.  He can connect the youth program, middle school, high school, and alumni.  Has lots of experience running a 5/6 A program.  From what I've seen, his teams play hard and are disciplined.  He'd do well at Blackman.

8 minutes ago, GoPats2019 said:

If Oakland has Stephen Jackson as DC, I like their chances. 

You're right. I should have said if the entire coaching staffs switched teams.