Metroman1

That is just one example of why MNPS (and all counties) tends to hire from within. How a school and school system work is always different and it can be frustrating. You can't avoid all bureaucracy regardless of where you teach and coach. Principals also prefer hiring from within because they can talk to other administrators and coaches offline that they have relationships with. Lastly, I think that principals know that teacher/coach retention is better within the district than from outside. Hiring a coach is a pain and they don't want to do it twice.

There are wonderful teachers in MNPS and some terrible ones, just like most school systems. Coaching (and teaching) in MNPS is different than in other counties, and it can be a culture shock to those who come in from the outside. I think that principals have learned that hiring outside the county for coaching positions is setting coaches up for misery. Having someone that has dealt with and understands little things like all of the purchase order crap, MNPS eligibility, facility use forms, mowing your own field, fundraising forms, etc. is an easier transition. I remember when the coach went from Franklin to Hillsboro a few years ago (can't remember his name) and he was told to fill out MNPS eligibility (which is a totally redundant form that has no purpose). He had no idea what to do until an assistant who coached another sport just took it over.

I think this is true, but I think there is more to it. Several of the Metro coaches vote as a block on these awards, and they heavily slant toward Metro. Calvin and Ables were very deserving candidates based on past performance, and I think the Metro coaches wanted to give Calvin the award because of all the crap Metro has put up with this year. We could argue whether that is a correct interpretation of how to vote, but it isn't malicious against Ables, Centennial, or Wilco in general. Metro wrestling has its problems, for sure. There are several coaches that don't work hard and several that are in over their heads, but I think a lot of the issues in the voting come from petty disagreements within the Wilco coaches. They remember a perceived slight in a single match from years prior and then won't vote for that wrestler or coach for years to come. There is a huge divide between the 2 counties (poor Spring Hill and Dickson County are stuck) and it is probably best that they will be split up next year, but I think the silliness will continue because there are a lot of really good Wilco coaches with really big egos. The problems with Metro will transfer over to Wilson County. It will be sad to see Wilson Central kids and coaches not get awards because Metro coaches have such an inferiority complex. One last thing, the idea that Ravenwood should have won coach of the year is silly. Yes, there program has improved over the last couple of years, but so has Summit's. And Summit obviously has the hardware to prove it. Hopefully, Ravenwood will be able to lay claim in a couple of years.