Rhea County

[EaglePride1]

I was in the interview at WB. You guys have a great coach. He absolutely blew me away. He had done his homework. He had plans set up to keep kids in our feeder schools from going to other schools (Maryville and Alcoa). He had passion. He is a proven winner. He has had great stability. He had everything we were looking for. The one thing that totally turned me on to him during the process really turned me against him in the end. He said on more than one occasion.....I want to be the next head coach at William Blount. He was offered that position on a Thursday night. One week later (which included numerous phone calls, text messages, and emails) after stringing us along, he says no. We wanted to have a coach in place before school was out. Our next guy lives in Alabama. He accepts the job but obviously can't get up here in time for the last day of school to meet with all of the coaches and players. So I personally felt like I was played by Fitzgerald. If he was really just blowing smoke in the interview and he didn't want to be the next coach at WBHS, then the least he could have done was tell us a week earlier. That bothers me. Coaching wise I think you have a great coach. Character and Integrity........probably good most of the time but he has to get an F on the grade card for the weeks of May 11 and May 18. We were teased and lied to while a couple of the committee members went far and above the call of duty to help make it work. My advice to Coach Fitz.....If you are really not 100% sure you want to coach at another school, then let them know after the interview process. It's fine to go and interview and see what you like or dislike but when it's time to get serious, bail out if you are not committed to go.

 

Here is a great analogy to how this played out. Coach Fitz and Rhea County are married. William Blount was an attractive school. Coach cheated on Rhea for a week or so and promised WB that he would leave to join them. 10 days and a lot of heartache later, he returns to his brideschool and asks for forgiveness.

 

In closing, I wish you guys and Coach Fitz at Rhea County good luck.

 

 

 

Thanks for the information. It really doesn't surprise me at all that he did so well in the interview; he has always struck me as a smooth talker. From what I've heard, he did nearly the exact same thing to Seqatchie last spring. As a Rhea County fan, I can't help but be a little upset over this. I have to almost agree with Supereagle. If he wants so bad to go somewhere else he needs to go.

 

And Rhea Co., what does the new superintendent "talking" to him have anything to do with this? I don't see how the superintendent would have any effect on the coaching staff unless its with the possible issues of nepotism involving a few members of our staff and the school administration.

[Rhea Co.]

And Rhea Co., what does the new superintendent "talking" to him have anything to do with this? I don't see how the superintendent would have any effect on the coaching staff unless its with the possible issues of nepotism involving a few members of our staff and the school administration.

 

 

 

In short, Levengood changed Fitz's mind. There for Fitz didn't go to WB.

[Eagle4]

I'm not saying that the guy from NC would have caused them to go. I'm saying Levengood is the one who kept them from going to WB.

 

 

Well to no surprise we have a new superintendent and the same head football coach. Can't blame him for testing different situations. We as Americans do it everyday in the work force. What I do have a problem with is the waiting to see if Levengood was hired or not. If that was the case who know's.

 

The fact of the matter is that Fitzgerald is our HC and I will continue to support him and the program. Rhea County has a pretty good coaching staff in place. But I do think that the coach that joined them last year ( Coach Cook ) shpuld get a little more responsibilities. He seams like he know's what he is doing.

 

The staff is still going to have it's supporters and non supporters this happens everywhere.

[EaglePride1]

In short, Levengood changed Fitz's mind. There for Fitz didn't go to WB.

 

Alright, that makes a little more sense.

[Eagle4]

Just a side note from watching the in coming freshmen today. I don't know why any of our coaches would want to look around. The amount of talent that is coming in with this freshmen class is unbelievable. Some of these freshmen may have a shot at some varsity playing time.

 

 

I heard they were looking good. How about the in coming sophmores and juniors. How are they looking?

[etcoach]

In short, Levengood changed Fitz's mind. There for Fitz didn't go to WB.

 

 

So you feel as though he goes to WB if either Levengood does not get Superintendent or if he does not talk him out of it. I at least like the sound of that. I just hate to think I am that bad of a judge of character. I thought it was a done deal. I was floored when I heard his answer.

[BackValleyRally]

Mr. Levengood changed Fitz mind on going to WB? Sounds kind of odd. I just can't see Mr. Levengood talking him into staying, unless he wanted to keep his two brother-in-laws (two other coaches, the two of whom RheaCo spoke of probably going with him if Fitz left) close to home.

I, for one, believe I am not alone when I say I am getting tired of hearing of Fitzgerald having so much interest elsewhere besides RC. Yes, he has the right and owes it to his family to search for better employment. BUT, interviewing and being offered for Sequatchie, Cleveland, and now William Blount, seems like he wants out of here pretty bad. If he tells WB that he wants to be the next coach there, then maybe his heart isn't truly in Evensville. We have heard the long list of places he has had interest in/applied for/interviewed for and turned down, etc, and the list is getting awfully long. I understand that he, as the head coach, is supposed to build up his program and have his heart in it 100%. I know the players read this thread, and I'm sure reading this is definitely making them doubt the man that is supposed to be their leader on the field. Personally, I would prefer that if he is going to tell his players all of the things he does, then I would prefer that he actually believe them himself. He is supposed to be building character in the boys he is 'turning into men.' Actions speak louder than words; and right now, his actions don't seem to be supporting the morals he tries to instill in his players.

Now, RheaCo, or anyone else: before you start to ridicule me... I am a supporter of Rhea County Football. I have been behind the team through the Horton Dynasty, Payne, Hammontree, and both Fitzgerald asministrations. I have missed ONE game since 1981. I am at everything that I am able to attend that has to do with Rhea County Golden Eagle Football.

[supereagle]

So you feel as though he goes to WB if either Levengood does not get Superintendent or if he does not talk him out of it. I at least like the sound of that. I just hate to think I am that bad of a judge of character. I thought it was a done deal. I was floored when I heard his answer.

 

You may very well be...I guess that maybe the price just wasnt right?

[Rhea Co.]

I heard they were looking good. How about the in coming sophmores and juniors. How are they looking?

 

 

The sophomores have been really impressive in the way the have stepped up this spring. There are a few who I see playing a lot come this fall on both sides of the ball. The one thing that has impressed is these sophomores can hit and make plays. Guys like Cameron Burton, Allen Cooley, Dusty Keith,Michael Hidalgo, Ethan Beddingfield, Issac Roddy, Luke Everett, Timmy Loden and before he got hurt Zach Cochran were all make big contributions to the team. The sophomores are hanging in right with the older guys

 

The Juniors to me look pretty as a whole. There are some guys who have really stepped up for the junior class. Guys like Cam Tal ,Kenzie Goins, Tyler Dennis, Hooper, and Daniel "Poof" Hickman all looked really good this spring. There is some good talent in the Junior class, but it needs to shaped and formed over the summer.

 

Overall both classes look really promising, and I think with the right development over the next couple of months these two classes will proved some starters and some really good depth for the team.

[Eagle4]

I believe that Coach Fitz will be at Rhea County as long as he wants from here out, if the program stays successful.

[Eagle4]

The sophomores have been really impressive in the way the have stepped up this spring. There are a few who I see playing a lot come this fall on both sides of the ball. The one thing that has impressed is these sophomores can hit and make plays. Guys like Cameron Burton, Allen Cooley, Dusty Keith,Michael Hidalgo, Ethan Beddingfield, Issac Roddy, Luke Everett, Timmy Loden and before he got hurt Zach Cochran were all make big contributions to the team. The sophomores are hanging in right with

 

The Juniors to me look pretty as a whole. There are some guys who have really stepped up for the junior class. Guys like Cam Tal ,Kenzie Goins, Tyler Dennis, Hooper, and Daniel "Poof" Hickman all looked really good this spring. There is some good talent in the Junior class, but it needs to shaped and formed over the summer.

 

Overall both classes look really promising, and I think with the right development over the next couple of months these two classes will proved some starters and some really good depth for the team.

 

 

Thanks for the update. Those sophmores looked good last year as freshmen from what I seen. Looks like the tallent is going to be there for awhile. Keep us updated.

[BackValleyRally]

I believe that Coach Fitz will be at Rhea County as long as he wants from here out, if the program stays successful.

 

 

Agreed. Levengood has Rhea County football in his blood. He even coached RCHS football years ago.