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SMITH LEAVES INDEPENDENCE

CHS 2007

By CHS 2007
in Class 5A & Class 6A

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CHS 2007 Medalist

CHS 2007

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Wow, this was unexpected!

 

Those Indy fans that have commented on the Centennial coaching search will now have to live the same drama. After leading the Independence Eagles to their best season in school history, Scott Smith has left to take on the Science Hill position. I had heard nothing about the possibility of Smith leaving, so this was a pretty much a suprise to me and the others. What's next for the Eagles?

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Hit'em Up Advanced Member

Hit'em Up

Posted
Posted

Wow, this was unexpected!

 

Those Indy fans that have commented on the Centennial coaching search will now have to live the same drama. After leading the Independence Eagles to their best season in school history, Scott Smith has left to take on the Science Hill position. I had heard nothing about the possibility of Smith leaving, so this was a pretty much a suprise to me and the others. What's next for the Eagles?

They'll be just fine, that group of rising seniors will prove that no matter the case they will show their leadership and work even harder. The style of offense or defense may change but that team has too much talent for them not to be a contender still for next season.

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donathan5507 Medalist

donathan5507

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Posted (edited)

Scott Saban...err Smith will be remembered in many different ways by those of us in Thompsons Station.

 

Smith is a very outgoing and energetic personality. His ability to interact with people is easily his best quality. He did a very good job with Indy, building the program from the ground up and establishing a solid foundation for the program to stand on.

 

But...

 

He was never happy. He found the ranks of 6-5A very demanding and draining on several fronts. The level of play is obviously very difficult but he's a football genius so this was not a problem. However, he was not a deity at Independence. Despite being a new school, the fans (parents in particular) have very strong passions for football.

 

Smith found himself questioned on several different aspects of his coaching. He also discovered the larger pool of players may not be as disciplined as those he was coaching at 1A (Private) Ezell Harding.

 

He was often juxtaposed and rarely enforced the policies he established. He let his ego get in the way of his play calling on numerous ocassions.

 

Still, he had the program where he wanted it to be. At the very first parent gathering, he promised the school that he would "Bring it a gold ball by 2007"--the upcoming season. He brought in his quarterback, some of his coaches, and he had started something very special at Independence--no doubt peaking on September 15th against Franklin.

 

Yet he was never satisfied. His name CONSTANTLY surfaced when other jobs came open (BGA, Warren County just to name a few). He frequently told the parents that "if they wanted to sign a petition, he'd be out of town in a heart beat."

 

So in the end, it appears that Smith is getting that which he desires most--a new position at a different 5A school. His reasons for leaving are very questionable at best--sure the pay is great and the fact that he isn't required to teach is very nice. The fact is that Science Hill is in a tough region, and its sister region is arguably the best in the state. Should Smith make it to the playoffs (or the state championship, as he so boldly informed the players today), he will have to get through the likes of Ooltewah, Oak Ridge, William Blount, and Soddy Daisy. Good Luck, Smitty.

 

So ultimately, Scott Smith's legacy at Independence is very conflicting. Sure, he did some incredible things with a new school, but his team lacked discipline and would rarely stray from its offense. Smith never preached discipline or conditioning, and when he did, it always seemed to stray from his mind.

 

Goodbye Mr. Smith (you are no longer 'Coach' to us). Please, don't let the door hit you on the way out when you leave on February 8th. We will rebound and we will have greater success without you.

 

Independence will start looking for a coach ASAP. The obvious favorite is Jason Eubanks, the defensive coordinator. He's a sensible fit because you don't want to shake too much up when changing coaches at a school that has only been in existence for three years. Still, Eubanks would bring a discipline and a different attitude to the program. Plus, he's a player's coach that is revered by almost all of next year's Seniors.

 

They may look outside of the current staff and bring in a new guy--this is troublesome because Marilyn Webb has stated on several ocassions that she looks for teachers first and coaches second--basically she wants a person that teaches primarily and coaches on the side. The hire could get botched badly if she remains involved.

 

We will certainly see what happens. I'm going to start a new thread pertaining to the coaching search.

 

To those at Science Hill, I leave a quote.

 

"How can Benedict Arnold be reliable in what he says?"--Shaquille O'Neal.

 

You will find that to be a very relevant quote in the future.

Edited by donathan5507
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eaglesfan2004 Advanced Member

eaglesfan2004

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Gates shouldget the job.

Eubanks would be the obvious choice, if Webb hires from within the current staff. Gates is not even an option, no explanation needed. After all of the coaching changes this year, I believe Crawford (Brentwood) has the longest tenure in the county with four years, then Rector(Ravenwood) and Matakavich(Fairview) I think 3 years, and Clayton (Franklin) two years. As Williamson County continues to de-emphasize the importance of athletics within a school, this rate of coaching changes( not just in football but other sports as well) will continue.

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coach763 Competitor

coach763

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This guy is a clown, preening up and down the sideline, playing the crowd. He only talks about his record at Ezell, what about the overall record from Greenbrier, and Indy. I bet it's more L's than W's.

 

Tut....................you being hard on the boy!! He cain't help it; it is just the way he is. How are things going over your way? You have not posted in a while and your posts are always entertaining.

 

The 763

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