West High School's next Head Coach

[datboygood]

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but HSfootballfan and nothingelsematters aren't entirely wrong. Yes, Cummings did a tremendous job building the program at West. However, rezoning certainly played a role, and we all know that there are some powerful political figures that live in that zone. I'm an academics guy first, I love the IB program, but it is no accident that Bearden MS now has one, in order to compliment the one at West.

I think you need to take of the tin hat my friend. It wouldn't make sense to place an IB school anywhere else in Knox County than BMS. Why would they place a program designed to be a building block for West's IB curriculum in a school that didn't go to West? Obviously the rezone had a tremendous impact on West. When the first class of rezonees became upper classmen (i.e. their junior year) West's run started. Still there was no conspiracy to make West the grand football powerhouse it became. 

[Knoxvul]

Everyone speaks of the "great run of special athletes" that West has had over the last several years. Name them. I'm just curious to see if I am forgetting anyone.

[osunut2]

I think you need to take of the tin hat my friend. It wouldn't make sense to place an IB school anywhere else in Knox County than BMS. Why would they place a program designed to be a building block for West's IB curriculum in a school that didn't go to West? Obviously the rezone had a tremendous impact on West. When the first class of rezonees became upper classmen (i.e. their junior year) West's run started. Still there was no conspiracy to make West the grand football powerhouse it became. 

I don't disagree at all. From a continuity standpoint, it made the most sense to put the IB program at Bearden MS. I'm just playing devil's advocate, to some degree.

 

I'm not suggesting conspiracy either. West and Scott Cummings were certainly the beneficiary of good timing, much like Matt Lowe's last few seasons at Powell.

[Knoxvul]

Everyone speaks of the "great run of special athletes" that West has had over the last several years. Name them. I'm just curious to see if I am forgetting anyone.

No takers?

[adalum96]

No takers?

 

 

Doesn't look like it.

[Knoxvul]

Doesn't look like it.

Wonder why? All I have heard is they (West)have been the recipients of all of these special athletes over the last few years. When I have looked at West throughout their run, they have consisted of a couple of kids that can get it. The rest of the team is undersized and don't look just overly athletic. They do play hard and seem to be well coached up.

[fooseball96]

Too big of shoes to fill

[osunut2]

Wonder why? All I have heard is they (West)have been the recipients of all of these special athletes over the last few years. When I have looked at West throughout their run, they have consisted of a couple of kids that can get it. The rest of the team is undersized and don't look just overly athletic. They do play hard and seem to be well coached up.

When I look at West, especially over the past half-dozen years or so, I see a team that has really improved in terms of quality depth. I think the same could be said for those Matt Lowe-led Powell teams. During the Clark Duncan/Larry Stevens years, Powell always had a few really talented kids, but overall, they just didn't have the horses to compete at the highest level.

 

Just my opinion, but what Central is going through now is a lot like what West was going through 10-15 years ago - a handful of talented kids, but the team is/was ultimately limited by a small roster.

[CU06]

George Bullock to start with...

[OakRidgeKat]

George Bullock to start with...

vul, there's one!  But that's hardly a five year "great run of special athletes"  Nathan and Seth were definitely special players, but there were guys starting on this years West team that could not have started for a lot of teams, especially on the defense.  I could name them, but that would not be fair to the kids. 

[Knoxvul]

George Bullock to start with...

So including ORK's two names we have a total of 3! Keep 'em coming

[MavMaximus]

So including ORK's two names we have a total of 3! Keep 'em coming

To be fair, West has had several very good players the past few years (those already named like Cottrell and Marshall/Hoxey/Bacon/Francis/some very good, physical receivers during Francis' tenure - though their names escape me/Will Coley, who went to the AF Academy/a lightning quick small back whose name also escapes me) but the majority was a bunch of hard-working yeoman types who were smart and could execute at a high level, which of course is a testament to good coaching.  That is what made me pull for West even after they cleaned our clock in the playoffs a few years back.