WOSgrad

[quote name="the sports guy" post="997712" timestamp="1302884263"] [b]I fully understand that there may be consequences to my actions.  I am currently trying to gather information about the local teams for next year and I fully expect the next coach at WO-S, regardless of who that may be, to be instructed to render very little aid in getting information on the Mustangs.[/b] I would think that a new coach would want to put out info about the Stangs.  Build a bridge. [/quote] Well, I will do my part.  I have a questionnaire and letter to WO-S which in only lacking a name of the coach.   Because let me make this perfectly clear, while hard feelings may extend to the Superintendent, the search committee and the school board depending on what the result of this search yields, those hard feelings will NOT extend to the new head coach.  I cannot place fault with any coach whose only "crimes" in this matter is having the desire to run the what is (biased view admitted) one of the best football programs in the State of Texas as well as the confidence that he can meet and possibly raise the high standards of that program.   He will enjoy my full and complete support as an alumnus of West Orange-Stark going forward as the head coach and athletic director.  For to threaten to jump ship would be to close the door on the community I grew up in and the school that will forever be a part of me.  Moreover, to wish ill of a new coach simply because I supported another candidate would be to wish ill of the children coming through the WOC CISD.  I, quite simply, refuse to do either of those things.  

[quote name="kicker" post="997709" timestamp="1302883977"] [quote author=WOSgrad link=topic=82860.msg997703#msg997703 date=1302883556] Committee or no committee.  To me it doesn't matter, I know that both methods have been effective in finding coaches in the past and it is really that the beauty is in the eye of the beholder of which method to use.  I further realize that the Government and Education Codes here in Texas require that this position be posted and opened to the public for a period of time.  To those ends, the West Orange-Cove CISD has complied with federal and state law. I do have misgivings about the motives of some of the members of that committee. MANY share my misgivings about at least one of those members.  But it is not the structure of the process that I have problems with. The criticism is with the actions of this committee.  Those actions that have been attributed to Mr. Colbert and his committee lead to a conclusion, that while maybe incorrect is certainly reasonable.  And quite simply that conclusion is that Mr. Colbert and his committee seem intent on naming a coach that meets a certain ideological goal that Colbert and the committee share rather than searching for a coach that is best for the children of the West Orange-Cove CISD.  This ideological goal, by the way, has long been dismissed by the United States Supreme Court as unreasonable and  unconstitutional.  Reports of these actions have not been met by reports of acts to the contrary, nor actually a denial that it is occurring. They have been met with pleas to merely to wait until the end and see that I may have been wrong all along.  And I admit that is a reasonable way to proceed and certainly find no fault with anyone who advocates such a mindset.  I just don't agree with it.  Some might see it as injecting negativity into the argument.  I prefer to see it as exposing the negativity of actions by a committee that, at least in reasonable appearance, appears to be bucking what those in and out of the Mustang family....and in and out of the coaching fraternity that the new coach would enter....hold as conventional wisdom. I fully understand that there may be consequences to my actions.  I am currently trying to gather information about the local teams for next year and I fully expect the next coach at WO-S, regardless of who that may be, to be instructed to render very little aid in getting information on the Mustangs.  And I fully realize that others may face consequences FAR MORE severe than that because of airing their views.  But should I be incorrect about where the actions of the committee are headed, I will gladly sleep at night with the moniker of one of the "boys who cried wolf."  If I was correct and remained silent, I am not sure I could sleep so well. [/quote] I know one thing about your post,....Skipper will never be able to understand it. lol. ;D [/quote] Nor will I probably be able to understand his the next time he posts. LOL! ;D

Committee or no committee.  To me it doesn't matter, I know that both methods have been effective in finding coaches in the past and it is really that the beauty is in the eye of the beholder of which method to use.  I further realize that the Government and Education Codes here in Texas require that this position be posted and opened to the public for a period of time.  To those ends, the West Orange-Cove CISD has complied with federal and state law. I do have misgivings about the motives of some of the members of that committee. MANY share my misgivings about at least one of those members.  But it is not the structure of the process that I have problems with. The criticism is with the actions of this committee.  Those actions that have been attributed to Mr. Colbert and his committee lead to a conclusion, that while maybe incorrect is certainly reasonable.  And quite simply that conclusion is that Mr. Colbert and his committee seem intent on naming a coach that meets a certain ideological goal that Colbert and the committee share rather than searching for a coach that is best for the children of the West Orange-Cove CISD.  This ideological goal, by the way, has long been dismissed by the United States Supreme Court as unreasonable and  unconstitutional.  Reports of these actions have not been met by reports of acts to the contrary, nor actually a denial that it is occurring. They have been met with pleas to merely to wait until the end and see that I may have been wrong all along.  And I admit that is a reasonable way to proceed and certainly find no fault with anyone who advocates such a mindset.  I just don't agree with it.  Some might see it as injecting negativity into the argument.  I prefer to see it as exposing the negativity of actions by a committee that, at least in reasonable appearance, appears to be bucking what those in and out of the Mustang family....and in and out of the coaching fraternity that the new coach would enter....hold as conventional wisdom. I fully understand that there may be consequences to my actions.  I am currently trying to gather information about the local teams for next year and I fully expect the next coach at WO-S, regardless of who that may be, to be instructed to render very little aid in getting information on the Mustangs.  And I fully realize that others may face consequences FAR MORE severe than that because of airing their views.  But should I be incorrect about where the actions of the committee are headed, I will gladly sleep at night with the moniker of one of the "boys who cried wolf."   If I was correct and remained silent, I am not sure I could sleep so well.

Well, let's just lay this out.  The WO-S alumni support Cornel Thompson for the head coaching position, the Greater Orange community appears to support Cornel Thompson for the head coaching position, every coach that has weighed in to me about the position has indicated that Cornel Thompson should be the next head coach at WO-S.  For this committee not to place Cornel Thompson at the top of its list for this position would mean that this committee would have rejected the opinion of every reasonable cross section which can weigh in on this matter. In answer to this after supposedly over 60 applications have been filed for this position, one of which we know to be Cornel Thompson, the Colbert Committee saw fit to go on a recruiting trip.  Two of the coaches known to have been contacted by this committee decided not to apply for the position with one of these candidates telling members of the committee his view of who should be the next coach.  That name....Cornel Thompson. I have this morning heard of a third candidate that was recruited, purportedly by Mr. Colbert himself.  This candidate, if hired to be head coach, would have his third head high school coaching position in 3 years with a record at his 2 previous stops that does not as Mr. Guillory promised "blow me away." I guess in contacting him, Mr. Colbert forgot about his own goal of finding someone with some stability. Ladies and gentlemen, I may very well be wrong in my conclusions about where the Colbert Committee may be going with this search.  But with the evidence from the very beginning which has been mounting, my misgivings about it are definitely reasonable.

Congrats to those young men that will be representing SETX in the game: Fred Ford, Kirbyville Cedric Reed, Cleveland Zach Sonnier, Little Cypress-Mauriceville Matt Wilson, Coldspring and also to a player of one of our "auxiliary schools" Rodney Hubert, Brenham

Congrats and good luck!

The Liberty girls track team finished 2nd overall Wednesday night at the District 22-3A Track Meet in Huffman. The team was led by Gold medal performances by: Wallencia Grant in the 4x100 Relay. She also won the 400m. Lauren Cook in the High Jump. Shafaa Guillory in the 4x100 Relay. Jailyn Semien in the 4x100 Relay. Abina Kelley in the 4x100 Relay. Also qualifying to compete at the regional meet by finishing in the top three in their events: Haili Beam in the 3200m (2nd Place) and the 800m (2nd Place). Jailyn Semien in the 100m (2nd Place). Shafaa Guillory in the 200m (2nd Place). D'Iante Haley in the High Jump - 2nd Place. The 4x2 Relay team (Moesha Howard, Alicia Baldwin, Jailyn Semien & Shafaa Guillory) - 2nd Place. The 4x4 Relay team (Lauren Cook, Abina Kelley, Alicia Baldwin & Wallencia Grant) - 2nd Place. Alisa Baldwin in the High Jump (3rd Place). Meredith Taylor in the Discus (3rd Place). Wallencia Grant in the Triple Jump (3rd Place). Abina Kelley in the 100m (3rd Place). Lauren Cook in the 400m (3rd Place). The girls will compete in the Region 3-3A Track Meet at Turner Stadium in Humble on May 2nd & 3rd (Monday & Tuesday).

TAPPS 3-5A game at 7:00 p.m.

Well, I don't know that I am going to provide what you are looking for, Chris.  Because the disturbing part of what I have seen here I really can't apportion to either coach or player, so I'll just list it as a "team error."  In fact, the what has disturbed me has been in the increased presence of the "error" in large numbers in far too many box scores this year.  When I was playing ball, at any point past Little League, three errors in a game were cause for alarm, disciplinary action and days worth of fielding drills in practice. However, 5, 6, even 7, errors in high school ballgames seem to have become commonplace this year.  And this is not just amongst "lower tier" high school teams but amongst the better ones as well.  I don't know where the breakdowns have occurred, but they are present. Todd Broussard

[quote name="Roughrider" post="997373" timestamp="1302806009"] Does anyone know who applied from the DFW area? [/quote] At this point, unless they come forward.  Nobody knows where any of the applicants or their names are from.  In fact, the only 2 that anyone knows for certain actually applied are Cornel Thompson and Toby Foreman simply because they have made it known that they applied. Of course, in fairness to the WOC CISD, the district has until next Monday to decide if they even intend to comply with my FOI request so they have broken no laws by not responding to me at this point.  But they do not have to wait that long and I see no reason why they should wait.

[quote name="td" post="997326" timestamp="1302799897"] Our only rights are found under the FOI act and no one is begrudging us that. [/quote] Wouldn't be so sure about that.  A request meeting the requirements of the Texas Public Information Act was submitted to Lorraine Shannon, Director of Information for the West Orange-Cove CISD, and the person I was directed to submit such a request to. Now, for me to assign cause as to why now 3 days after I have made such a request and almost a week since the deadline for submitting applications for the head coach/athletic director position have passed, along with the fact that there are reports that the committee has come up with six "finalists" and my request has been met with silence would be idle speculation on my part. But I will say this.  While we are not close friends, I know Lorraine Shannon.  I have made requests of information of her in the past which have been complied with in a matter of hours, sometimes even minutes.  Moreover, I know her to be a very frank woman.  Given the above, I'll just say this silence is doing nothing to allay the concerns and grievances I have previously stated.

[quote name="td" post="997316" timestamp="1302798422"] I don't think there is anyway to do it any faster while at the same time complying with all of the EOE laws.... [/quote] td, if the reports I have heard from multiple sources are correct, this committee has NO worries about being the subject of an EEOC investigation.

Coaches, some of your number have decided to send me the information intended for submission in the Dave Campbell's magazine.  If those of you that have yet to respond wish to do so as well, that is fine by me.  Whatever manner you find most convenient to you is the one you need to use. BTW, Coach Barbay at Anahuac and Coach Thibodeaux's came back as I apparently had a wrong address on those.  They have been corrected and will be sent out shortly.

[quote name="DP#1FAN" post="996746" timestamp="1302692376"] The game with Chester and Community Christian  is a done deal from my understanding. [/quote] If Coach Holton and Coach Strandberg can find their way to have it on a Saturday, I'll be in attendance.

My mistake, congrats Garrett.

And td, it shouldn't be left to rumor.  Those taxpayers and patrons of Mustangs games, who pay Colbert's salary and will pay the salary of the new coach, have a perfect right to know who this committee is considering as the athletic director of this school district.  The rumors are flying because this committee has made NOTHING known.  Tho public has been given nothing to judge and see whether this committee has chosen the best candidate. I'll say this about Erick Guillory, I think he is a snake that is in on this, but at least he's been willing to interact with the public on the matter. However, the committee as a whole has failed to act with the "transparency" that was promised by Mr. Colbert.  Until that changes, they themselves are fostering the belief that this is not on the up and up.

[quote name="football04" post="997165" timestamp="1302753890"] I really thought this would take a few days and be done ? I guess it's not as cut and dryed as i would have thought, is there some bad blood within the district that would make them hire someone else, this seems like it's sending a bad message [/quote] You're right.  It shouldn't be that difficult.

[quote name="dee" post="997156" timestamp="1302752266"] What about the kids? Everyone is talking about everything but the kids. I'm sure they are watching you so called adults talking on here. This is really getting stupid I'm glad this will be over soon. [/quote] This is about the kids and the best person to lead those kids to continue the WO-S program as it has been.  The committee is ignoring that.  But I shouldn't be surprised, this is district that hasn't given a crap about the kids for the last 10-15 years.

[quote name="griff" post="997144" timestamp="1302751125"] [quote author=Gasilla link=topic=82860.msg997125#msg997125 date=1302748709] You know, Colbert also mentioned that he was going to be very "transparent" with this process. They have narrowed the list down to 6 already and I haven't heard a single candidates name yet... Where's the transparency??? [/quote] Grad said a Freedom of Information request was filed about the interview and selection process (possibly by him).  Let us know when you hear something, Grad.   [/quote] It was submitted to Lorraine Shipman, Director of Information for the WO-C CISD by me on Monday.  I have not had an opportunity to follow up, I intend on doing that on tomorrow.

Congrats to the other folks from SETX who made the list as well: Austin Gilfillian - East Chambers Dallas Gibson - East Chambers Hank Jones - East Chambers Garrett Gustafson - Hardin-Jefferson Mike Glorioso - Port Neches-Groves Randall Robertson - Port Neches-Groves Alan DeLeon - Baytown Sterling Charlies Adkins - Beaumont West Brook Derrian James - Beaumont West Brook Congratulations, gentlemen!

Hull-Daisetta's Tyler Godwin had been named to the 1A Academic All-State Team. Congratulations, Tyler! [Hidden Content]

[quote name="mat" post="997110" timestamp="1302746618"] [quote author=WOSgrad link=topic=82860.msg997090#msg997090 date=1302743531] In fact, after spending a few minutes on the phone with Mr. Guillory of the committee, I am even less assured that at any point during this process and I am even more convinced now that ever that Cornel Thompson is destined to screwed in this process. Shortly after griff posted the texting number for Mr. Guillory.  I sent a text saying that Cornel Thompson is the only man the committee should consider for the job. I should have gotten the first clue when the response texted back to was "Y?" and that he wanted me to call him.  In a call which ended with me hanging up on Mr. Guillory made it obvious to me that Coach Thompson is not only not the committee's top choice, but he is quickly being shuffled to the back of the pack by this committee.  First, he denied that other coaches who he had contacted had told him that Cornel Thompson was the guy for the job.  He then said that other coaches whose applications were more qualified than Coach Thompson for the position and then in the same breath told me that Mr. Colbert has ordered that the names of the applicants (We'll see about that as a FOI request has been made with the school district and we are awaiting their reply).  Finally, contrary to what Colbert told the Orange Leader, Coach Thompson is not even guaranteed a spot as finalist for the position.  He claims that Colbert was "misquoted" by Van Wade and that the Leader is to print a retraction on that (as one of the admins here is the editor of the Leader, I'll leave that for him to respond to, if he wishes).  He claims that he has canvassed the community for choices and none of the names that he mentioned was Cornel Thomspson.  As I told him, if he can't make a case for Cornel Thompson as head coach/athletic director, he isn't trying.  And in reality, I don't believe they are. So, those that are hoping that the district do the right thing and promote Coach Thompson and that this process is just a way of complying with state law, you may want to rethink. [/quote] If I'm not mistaken I'm pretty sure I heard Colbert state during his interview on KOGT that the two in-house applicants were assured to be finalist in the final four finalist list. [/quote] I did point that out to Mr. Guillory that as well.

In fact, after spending a few minutes on the phone with Mr. Guillory of the committee, I am even less assured that at any point during this process and I am even more convinced now that ever that Cornel Thompson is destined to screwed in this process. Shortly after griff posted the texting number for Mr. Guillory.  I sent a text saying that Cornel Thompson is the only man the committee should consider for the job. I should have gotten the first clue when the response texted back to was "Y?" and that he wanted me to call him.  In a call which ended with me hanging up on Mr. Guillory made it obvious to me that Coach Thompson is not only not the committee's top choice, but he is quickly being shuffled to the back of the pack by this committee.  First, he denied that other coaches who he had contacted had told him that Cornel Thompson was the guy for the job.  He then said that other coaches whose applications were more qualified than Coach Thompson for the position and then in the same breath told me that Mr. Colbert has ordered that the names of the applicants (We'll see about that as a FOI request has been made with the school district and we are awaiting their reply).  Finally, contrary to what Colbert told the Orange Leader, Coach Thompson is not even guaranteed a spot as finalist for the position.  He claims that Colbert was "misquoted" by Van Wade and that the Leader is to print a retraction on that (as one of the admins here is the editor of the Leader, I'll leave that for him to respond to, if he wishes).  He claims that he has canvassed the community for choices and none of the names that he mentioned was Cornel Thomspson.  As I told him, if he can't make a case for Cornel Thompson as head coach/athletic director, he isn't trying.  And in reality, I don't believe they are. So, those that are hoping that the district do the right thing and promote Coach Thompson and that this process is just a way of complying with state law, you may want to rethink.

[quote name="kicker" post="997053" timestamp="1302733725"] [quote author=Scooter! link=topic=82860.msg996977#msg996977 date=1302722471] [quote author=BMTSoulja1 link=topic=82860.msg996976#msg996976 date=1302722372] Ok.  You just pulling my chain.  lol.  I won't take  you seriously, man!  :D :D [/quote]Per a VERY VERY reliable source one of them was contacted  ;) he didnt want the job.  and it wasnt Sedberry.  ;) [/quote] you are correct. And also the one that was contacted gave their opinion. ;) I keep saying it, and I will untill im proven wrong, Colbert is a great guy. Of all the sources i have heard from about him, they all have great things to say about him. Now, I am understanding of people getting upset about them outside of WOS for applications. As I understand it, you have to post it. If there is more than one person looking at the job from within, UIL mandates an interview process of x number of people. you also have to take in consideration the EOE rules. I honestly think that our Super. is just crossing all t's and dotting all i's. Honestly, you want a fair and transparent leader in school, government, etc. I hope I am right about this, but i believe that the decision is already made and the path to get there is just being done by the book. [/quote] I am glad that you have been able to find reassurance...as of yet, I have not.

Good article.  A second link that Jon may not have known about was the fact that as a youngster Shane was also a boxer. While I am sure that the blows he received to the head at BC, UT and the NFL are directly linked to Shane's CTE, I am sure that didn't help.