731rumors

Hearing that a few former lions, not named McConnell, have applied for the job. One having been at several great programs in Middle TN.

Tell that to the seniors of those teams who will only have nine guaranteed games... Where I come from, each game is valued because 95% of the kids on the team will never put on helmets or shoulder pads after their senior season. In my opinion, the players from these schools are being punished for another institutions lack of organization and communication. It upsets me because it is not what is best for those, kids which is unacceptable.

Actually would have made a huge difference... If you knew anything, you would know that by December 99% of schedules are locked in. Additionally, do you know the logistics involved in playing a team in another state?

So to sum up your proclamations from this thread: Ward is coming back to Camden if Blow leaves Blow lets you read his game plans You actually understand his game plans and acknowledge that they are among the best You just got off the phone with the principal and he promises that he is not trying to get another job You speak with non faculty assistant coaches about the state of the program behind the head coaches back Did I get everything?

Not bashing anyone. I think McDowell and Blow are great men. However, being a great man does not make you a great coach. I wish it were that easy, but unfortunately its not. I do not remember even mentioning/bashing any players. Even Beagle acknowledged a lack of discipline within the program. Is he a "keyboard hero" as well? Camden would be a better school, in my opinion, if McDowell stayed. Also, I am still waiting to hear how many games you have attended...

Agree 100%

Why would he tell you anything else? Just wait... You will be hearing about a county in East Tn pretty soon.

Facts are facts. He will be gone. Your principal is trying to leave as well.

Good coaches are good teachers. It goes hand in hand. Also, what are we basing being a good teacher on? Evaluation scores? EOC scores? What, in your opinion, makes them a great teacher?

Agree to disagree

One can only hope. Not trying to be critical, but every young man should have access to a program that is run the right way. Football can improve a kid's life dramatically and it is sad to see some schools not embrace that fact.

I agree that Blow is a first class human being. I know him personally and know several others who have played for him. However, it does not excuse mediocrity, a lack of discipline, and a bad on the field product in a region that they should be at least the 2 seed in.

You have personally seen them play the past two seasons?

The staff is not hard to do, but it would require some commitment from the current admin. Those teaching positions are vital to get coaches in the building. Which is another problem that I have seen with the program. Look outside of West TN for a moment and consider that most every turn around in the state begins with a massive staff change. One great example is Lebanon. I have also heard of one coach who will not be returning for sure do to his behavior. Lastly, any coach who would say something like that to anyone outside of the program shows you how bad things have gotten. That coach should also be removed from the program. Great coaching staffs keep problems in house and deal with them internally. Coincidentally, he is a non faculty coach that is not in the building. (Further proves my point)

I personally know two different coaches in the region that were not notified until December. Bush league.

Totally agree with the statement on lack of discipline. From what I heard, that lack of discipline stems from Blow's lack of control over coaches/players. I think that Blow is a great guy, but ultimately the head coach must set the standard. In my opinion, the administration should consider someone with ties to the program, but no ties to the current staff. If a staff has been allowed to do as they wish, it can be very difficult to rein them in. At the very least, the new guy should be allowed to re interview the current staff. In my opinion, it would be tough for a guy like Wolfe to be objective with the current staff, as he worked alongside most of them. Think back to when Ward got the job originally. Brought in Blow, Vassar, Knott, Sturdivant, Wyatt. He had to do that to be successful. A new coach must be allowed to bring in his guys to have a chance.

In my opinion, there are too many "all state" teams in general. I have lost count of how many of these there are. Ultimately, the problem with most of these teams is that some journalist is involved that knows little to nothing about the actual game itself. These teams almost always end up being slanted to the a certain region that they originated from.

In my opinion, this is a pretty unprofessional move to wait so late to announce moving to 8 man. This leaves every other team in that region with an open slot on there schedule at a time when most teams have already finalized for the next two years. Good luck finding games this late...

In my opinion, this shows how little the administration supports football. Coaches from other schools should be "encouraged" to move on. To get Antioch back on it's feet in terms of being competitive you have to have teaching spots for potential coaches. That is one of the reasons why metro football continues to be a circus.

I would love to see Ward return to Camden, but I seriously doubt Ward would leave Crockett based on a couple of reasons: 1. He has one of the largest coaching supplements in the state and few districts can match his salary 2. He has very little responsibility during the school day at Crockett as opposed to Camden, where he would likely have to monitor ISS or be the graduation coach. Those jobs do not carry a lot of responsibility, but they are considerably more than is required of him now. 3. To my knowledge, he has turned down Milan (his Alma Mater) and Westview (previously the DC there). As well as many others that myself or others have no knowledge of. Why would he turn down these jobs, and then return to Camden? Wolfe is a plausible scenario that I had not considered. He has done well at West Carroll considering the situation that he is. Would also go along with the rumors that I have heard about him having to do run the program almost entirely by himself because of a lack of coaches. Hopefully, he would at least get an interview.

Well said and I totally agree. Would love to see a list of coaches that apply, if this does happen. I personally know of 2-3 alumni that would be very interested in the job. I would love to see Camden Football become relevant again.

McConnell? Any other alumni out there?

Totally agree. Know of several who have played for him and love him. Wish him the best if he decides to move into admin.

Rumor mill says that he will step down in the newt few weeks. I would say that the recent decline into mediocrity in an already mediocre region would be reason enough. Is Camden a desirable job? Who would go after it?

Rumor mill says that Blow is out at Camden. Thoughts/comments?