What's wrong with Halls?

[devilsden]

Thats right I say do away with the wing-t. That offense aint no good never has been. I think we ought to go to something more wide open, throw it around 40-50 times agame, just like AC. Wait a minute, Powell just beat the daylights out of Ac, so dont put that offense in. I also forgot, Webb beats the daylight out of everybody they play, Central, Halls, Powell, Bearden, so lets put that offense in. Dang we cant do that , cause they run the wingt. So what does that leave us to run? We run what the coaches know will work. Now all we have to figure out is what do they know and what can they teach and what can our players learn and do. What does our underclassman look for the future? Do we have good 9 & 10 graders? Do we have good 7 & 8 graders. If not then we are in deep pooh-pooh!

[PowerSweep]

Thats right I say do away with the wing-t. That offense aint no good never has been...

I really have to disagree with you on this one. The wing-t is a GREAT high school offense when it's run correctly. Webb has run it for years with great success.

 

To be successful with it you have to know it inside and out and how to use the plays and their formations/designs to gain an advantage. It's a process... you can't just haphazardly call wing-t plays without any thought behind it. That will not work. The Webb coaching staff understand the philosophy of running a wing-t offense and are masters at executing it. One play sets up another, formation & motion for one play is the same for another however it could be a pass or run with a different back. Run correctly it's a relentless dependable offense in high school and if you have a QB who can throw it like they do it's even more dangerous.

 

Sure it would be great to run a pro-style or spread offense in high school but really, who has the talent and depth to do that? Webb dresses 40 kids and they can compete with most any team in any division. I'm not saying they would beat them all but they certainly would compete.

 

The wing-t I have seen Halls run, in the times I have seen them play, is in no way close to what Webb runs and how they run it. Angled wingbacks that loop to the line of scrimmage is something I've never seen before in a true wing-t offense. The coaches at Webb do an unbelievable job in teaching and coaching the talent they have to run it as precisely as possible down to the very last detail. The other difference is that the players at Webb completely "buy in" to running it because they know it allows them to be more competitive.

 

Sorry to get off on the tangent about Webb but my point is more that the wing-t offense can be very effective in high school football and that I simply think it's an easy target and excuse for the lack of success Halls has had recently.

Edited September 21, 2010 by PowerSweep

[oppressed238]

Thats right I say do away with the wing-t. That offense aint no good never has been. I think we ought to go to something more wide open, throw it around 40-50 times agame, just like AC. Wait a minute, Powell just beat the daylights out of Ac, so dont put that offense in. I also forgot, Webb beats the daylight out of everybody they play, Central, Halls, Powell, Bearden, so lets put that offense in. Dang we cant do that , cause they run the wingt. So what does that leave us to run? We run what the coaches know will work. Now all we have to figure out is what do they know and what can they teach and what can our players learn and do. What does our underclassman look for the future? Do we have good 9 & 10 graders? Do we have good 7 & 8 graders. If not then we are in deep pooh-pooh!

A GOOD coach knows the strengths and weaknesses of his team personnel(players, that is!) Is able to adjust accordingly. Just like a GOOD defense,you take what is given to you and capitolize. Is it the OFFENSE being run? Or is it what your PERSONNEL is GOOD at running? Offensively, do you run this or that? Or do you NOT limit yourself and figure out what your team strengths are or might be? Like CZAR stated, it all begins in little league and middle school. If the head coach is one dimensional, your team will be also. Just my humble opinion...Good Luck, Halls.

[btgoG]

I really have to disagree with you on this one. The wing-t is a GREAT high school offense when it's run correctly. Webb has run it for years with great success.

 

To be successful with it you have to know it inside and out and how to use the plays and their formations/designs to gain an advantage. It's a process... you can't just haphazardly call wing-t plays without any thought behind it. That will not work. The Webb coaching staff understand the philosophy of running a wing-t offense and are masters at executing it. One play sets up another, formation & motion for one play is the same for another however it could be a pass or run with a different back. Run correctly it's a relentless dependable offense in high school and if you have a QB who can throw it like they do it's even more dangerous.

 

Sure it would be great to run a pro-style or spread offense in high school but really, who has the talent and depth to do that? Webb dresses 40 kids and they can compete with most any team in any division. I'm not saying they would beat them all but they certainly would compete.

 

The wing-t I have seen Halls run, in the times I have seen them play, is in no way close to what Webb runs and how they run it. Angled wingbacks that loop to the line of scrimmage is something I've never seen before in a true wing-t offense. The coaches at Webb do an unbelievable job in teaching and coaching the talent they have to run it as precisely as possible down to the very last detail. The other difference is that the players at Webb completely "buy in" to running it because they know it allows them to be more competitive.

 

Sorry to get off on the tangent about Webb but my point is more that the wing-t offense can be very effective in high school football and that I simply think it's an easy target and excuse for the lack of success Halls has had recently.

 

I think the reason we've stayed with the Wing-T forever is two-fold.

 

1. That's the tradition, it's what the head coach knows best, and it's difficult, not impossible, to get away from what you know best.

 

2. We haven't had an offensive coordinator come in from outside the program with experience or confidence running anything other than the Wing-T, so Coach Julian, understandably, can't justify the switch.

 

I know Coach Julian and he has the makeup to be a great head coach. He knows the game of football, has the experience, and knows how to motivate young men.

 

I think the assistants need to step up...

Edited September 21, 2010 by btgoG

[btgoG]

By no means am I trying to stir the pot, but it is as plain as the nose on my face that something will have to give. I'm just calling it as I see it.

 

Neccessary changes...

 

1. Attitude (everyones)

2. Assistant Coaches (either their commitment level or they themselves)

3. Style Offense

4. Youth Program and Nepotism - although my aforemnetioned problems in this area exist, to some extent, wherever you go; it's just running rampant in Halls IMO.

Edited September 22, 2010 by btgoG

[pxtra2010]

By no means am I trying to stir the pot, but it is as plain as the nose on my face that something will have to give. I'm just calling it as I see it.

 

Neccessary changes...

 

1. Attitude (everyones)

2. Assistant Coaches (either their commitment level or they themselves)

3. Style Offense

4. Youth Program and Nepotism - although my aforemnetioned problems in this area exist, to some extent, wherever you go; it's just running rampant in Halls IMO.

 

This is just my opinion and mine alone and I am not trying to step on any toes. If you are offended to my comments, I apologize up front.

 

btgoG -

1. You stated we have a good head coach. He is a good “defensive†coach. The issues start with the head coach. He is the decision maker. IF there is a problem, he should be the one to step up and make it right instead of brushing it under the carpet and blaming it on everything else but the issue at hand.

2. Why do you think the assistants have left to go to greener pastures?

3. You stated if a kid is good enough he will get noticed. Who is going to notice a kid on a team that has a losing record when they could be looking at a well coached team that is winning games. How are they going to get recognized with the only publicity they get is because they are losing? We have a coach who says he does things to get kids name out there for colleges - NOT TRUE! If you want to look back at kids that have gone on to play college ball at any level, it is only by the mouths and work from their parents (which is fine for the parent) but definitely not because Kevin got them noticed.

4. You commented on the Wing T "Thats the tradition, its what the head coach knows best, and its difficut, not impossible to get away from what you know best". If that is what he knows best then he needs to hit the books. I feel its not what the "knows best and knows how to run" its that he don't know how to do anything else. He is too busy cradling Ted Williams and protecting him and his own play calling that his ego will not let him step up to the plate and change it up! You also commented that we have not had an offensive coordinator come in with experience and that you didn't think Kevin could justify a switch. He should have put Coach Hassel in that position or Coach Qualls instead of Ted Williams. It is his responsibility that if that OC is not getting the job done to remove him just as he would a player that is not getting it done on the field. As far as tradition goes, I feel its time for a new tradition!

5. You also commented on Kevin KNOWING HOW TO MOTIVATE THE YOUNG MEN. This could not be farther from the truth. Take a poll from the boys and ask them exactly what he does to motivate them. I bet Powell, Clinton, Webb, Sevier County or Oak Ridge kids could tell you what their coaches do. Look at their faces and tell me differently. He and Ted Williams can't hardly even speak to parents or kids outside the school much less pump up the players. His position as a coach is also a privilage, not a right.

6. As far as the assistants stepping up - its not because they don't try, Kevin does not allow them to over step their boundries when he don't agree with what they are saying. Attitude - It not only has to change with those off the field, but beginning with Kevin. CHANGE THE OFFENSE - PERIOD!!!!

 

You mentioned the head coach being more involved in the community leagues. Why? The head coach has kids at the youth program. You say it should not be allowed for dads to coach their sons, then he doesn’t need to have input. The best coach to have ever come out of Halls Community Park is Teddy Williams who started coaching his son (The one and only Teddy Williams, not the one that is our OC). Kevin lucked up and got two really good coaches from the community park with Casey Lane and Toby Kilgore. They coached one of the groups that just left Halls for several years and had winning teams, that is till they were turned over to Kevin Julian. Matter of fact, there have been several groups come through the ranks that have all had winning records till they get to Kevin. Other than that, Kevin needs to STOP hiring the midget and super midget coaches and his high school buddies to coach our team. There are youth coaches that are just now starting to help with high school activities because they are wanting a spot on the staff or the board. Is this really how he should pick his board members or coaches? Get some experienced coaches whose goal is to teach the players and win games. Get some strength and agility coaches in there to work them. Leave the youth coaches and the Kevin’s yes men at the community park! There are no more like Lane and Kilgore. Kevin lost two really good coaches because he refused to make changes. Toby was great with the boys and could relate to them, Hassel knew more about football than most people realized. How big of a slap in the face is it to have two of your better coaches to leave you and go to one of your biggest rivals?

 

There are a hand full of coaches that actually act like they care for a win, care for the players, and COACH the boys. The main ones that come to mind are Coach Qualls (who respects and gets respects from the kids and would make an excellent HEAD coach), Coach Lane, Coach Kirby, and Coach Sexton – they are the ones you see interacting with any of the players.

 

Lastly – you mentioned for the boys to just go have fun. Varsity football is not a time to just have fun like they did in youth league - its time to win games. These boys have played all their lives to play varsity ball and win games not just go have fun. It can be both but they want the WIN! As far as kids leaving the program. You are not going to have kids WANT to come to play at HHS if they are losing games. THere are kids out there that have extreme talent and if they can get noticed and get their college paid for by getting noticed going to other schools then by all means if the parents can do it then they should. Isn’t that what parents do for their kids, give them the best opportunity in life they can. If that means moving there kid to another school, then so be it. The coach is not going to work for them even if he claims he does.

 

So, I guess I don't agree with a lot of what you said but I respect your putting it out there. Its time for Kevin to step up and make it right. Lose the ego, stand behind your assistants when they see changes can be made, stop hiring your high school or ball park coaches/buddies (leave the midget and super midget coaches at the community park and stop putting them on staff no matter how much they are making their presence known now) and get some other coaches in there, motivate these kids the right way, teach them what needs to be done, and let them enjoy their high school experience. Make the changes before the parents and community make the changes.

[Moronicus]

there was one midget coach he could and should have hired and did not. his name is tommy burnette. he would have worked for free.

[devilsden]

pxtra2010,

Enjoyed reading your post. You seem to be a parent of a current player or of a former player or maybe both. You made some really good posts. And i tend to agree some what with 99.9% of what you said.

HOWEVER, you stepped the wrong way when you said make the changes before the parents and community make the changes. I thought it was up to the principle to make the changes in a school.

Now I have got on here and said my piece about this and that but I dont think I ever got an here and said the parents and community should/will/have to make the changes. That may be whats wrong now.

Make sure the dog waggles the tail NOT the tail waggling the dog!

[pxtra2010]

pxtra2010,

Enjoyed reading your post. You seem to be a parent of a current player or of a former player or maybe both. You made some really good posts. And i tend to agree some what with 99.9% of what you said.

HOWEVER, you stepped the wrong way when you said make the changes before the parents and community make the changes. I thought it was up to the principle to make the changes in a school.

Now I have got on here and said my piece about this and that but I dont think I ever got an here and said the parents and community should/will/have to make the changes. That may be whats wrong now.

Make sure the dog waggles the tail NOT the tail waggling the dog!

 

You are correct - Had a former player few years back (1 son and 1 daughter) and it is up to the principal. Guess I meant it would take the parents going to the prinicipal to get something changed. Thanks for correcting me.

Edited September 24, 2010 by pxtra2010

[pxtra2010]

there was one midget coach he could and should have hired and did not. his name is tommy burnette. he would have worked for free.

 

Burnette could have made a major difference!

[ZCAR]

Burnette could have made a major difference!

 

One of best offensive minds in the area. I couldn't imagine the players who would have flocked to this program wanting to play for Halls if he had volunteered his time. But he positioned his son to be successful and not losing a game at Maryville for four years and taking four State rings he made the right choice it seems. But thats all water under the bridge now we have to move on and don't let anymore local talent slip away whether it be a potential coach or player to bring back the glory days for the Red Devils.

 

Teddy Williams from the Community Park has been the biggest influence on Halls football over the years his desire and dedication was just simply unmatched. Ask any kid thats played for him.

 

Hassel a huge loss for us.

Edited September 24, 2010 by ZCAR

[devilsden]

I know someone knows the answer but didn't Burnett's son go to MTSU and quit or transfer to another school? Sounds like he fit Quarles system but didn't or couldn't fit MTSU's system (whatever that is). If you think back, a lot of qb's from Maryville go to college to play ball but the only one that has had any sucess was the Tompson kid and he left S. Carolina and went to UTC I think.