oldschool2

Been saying these exact statements the whole time I've been a member of this site. I even said one time that I think every high school in the state with less than 500 kids should close or consolidate. You would've thought I was walking around slapping babies by the ridicule I got. But that's another subject.. Yes. Stagnant. "That field was good enough for my grandpa, it's good enough for my kids"...yes that's the mentality. Spot on.

Honestly the consensus from everyone I know in education is typically centered around the enjoyment of a school day (8-4). Class size, discipline problems, and yes money. Which generally confuses me about the money... I told a buddy of mine I didn't know why he was concerned about the difference in 50K and 60K...he's still not taking his family to Disney World. haha. I'm sure there are benefits and downsides to almost any school just like any job anywhere. You know...is the bang worth the buck...so to speak. But I think teaching kids that were winners and afraid of losing...say a spot on the team...would be more enjoyable than kids with no school pride and nothing to lose. I'm not sure there are just a ton of schools that have brand new facilities and really nice stuff but only pay their teachers barely above state base. I could be wrong on that but I don't think so..

Money brings in better teachers as well. You think the teachers across the state with the best test scores are lining up to teach at a school barely above state base?... to help the less fortunate kids?... I'm afraid not. They (just like you and everyone else) know their value. And go get there value.

After everything that's gone down in HF lately...I'm not sure I'd even consider working there..unless every single school board member not only resigned, but moved out of the school district. Issues over there. Real issues.

Yes you can. I know...you can find exceptions. Anyone can. But championships are bought every year..in every sport..on every level.

As a coach..you will always have my support. I love sports...and I know sports. I talk SPORTS all the time with neighbors, friends, and family members. To the coaches I know..I never talk philosophy. I don't give suggestions, I don't question, and I don't talk about it behind their back. When my kids were growing up I never ONCE suggested to my children that their coach was wrong, and it should be done the way I think it should be done. Nor did I talk to or about the coach regarding concerns, even when I disagreed with the situation. That man/woman is being paid to do the job the best way they see fit..so be it. I had chances to get into coaching. I didn't do it, so I'll let them do it. And I do know you're right about the politics. Which is the EXACT reason I couldn't coach in high school. I have zero filter..never had one. I'm very blunt, very honest, and very quick to my point. My father raised me to be so...so it's what I know. I can't express enough how undervalued educators are. People very, very seldom realize the impact they have on the numerous amount of kids they come in contact with. Situations like this make me sick.

I'm not blaming the community as a whole. I'm sure their are some very upstanding members of the HF community that had no part in this whatsoever. And you were defending the community from the comment "coaches quicksand"? Well buddy...if it wasn't before. It may be that way soon..

Definitely not. I don't coach period. I'm not from HF, not a supporter of HF, not a spectator of HF, never even seen a HF athletic event, don't even have friends or family that work in HF. I am a huge supporter of ALL coaches though. Maybe you haven't seen some of my other replies. I defend every coach, from every school, in every sport that is ragged on by people anywhere on this site. SEVERAL of my buddies that I played college ball with got into coaching..and I have numerous family members and n-laws that are in education, or were in education. I've heard enough about this situation to know that it's garbage. I'll never understand why coaches do what they do. No matter how hard they work, how many hours they put in, or how much they care the salary stays what it is. And their entire way of life is at the stake of 15-18 year old kids. Who seem to feel more and more entitled all the time. All the while being constantly ridiculed by parents and fans that THINK they know more about it than the people hired to do it...because they are a 5 year veteran of coaching youth sports. Honestly I think coaches are crazy for coaching. But I guess I do understand (to an extent) why they do it. I do but I don't. And I can't stand when people run them down or talk negatively about how they are doing what they do...especially knowing that ALL coaches are at the mercy of the amount of talent they may or may not have. Parents don't like to hear that their kids are just not any good..it's easier to blame a coach. But anyway.. No I have zero ties to HF or to this coach we're talking about. I just know a coach's life will most likely be affected because of this community.

Here are the only facts that matter. The former AD at HF made the playoffs each of his final 2 seasons. Fact. Criminal charges were brought up against the man...by parents of athletes...for excessive punishment. Fact. The charges were dismissed because they were found to be untrue. Fact. He resigned shortly thereafter. Fact. Was he ran off? Who knows... Truth is only HE himself knows the real reason why he resigned. But this news article came out right after he resigned [Hidden Content] ... and it doesn't say 1 single thing about the fact that the charges were dropped. Not 1. So now this ridiculous story (that very strongly implies he resigned because of this) may end up following him to all future employment opportunities. Because of some whiny, complaining parents of some obviously out of shape kids..This man's life may be affected. That too..sir..is a fact.

That's on UIL..not this coach. He can't help that it was so watered down. Don't you think for one second that Houston Scarborough coach don't have on his resume that he broke a whatever long playoff streak. And to be honest he's WAY better off leaving. If he caught this much grief imagine if he'd stayed. And "other things" are irrelevant. He made the playoffs, I'm sure did all of the things he was assigned to do per his contract, and the criminal charges were dismissed. Because they were WRONG. Which just tells me it was a bunch out of shape kids that couldn't hack it. Don't like it...plenty of room in the band. I just hope there isn't anything lasting for this guy associated with a bogus criminal investigation. Those parents need to realize they were messing with someone's livelihood. And like I said already...good luck getting a good coach to come to this dump after the last guy was criminally charged for "excessive workouts". And good luck being one of the 4 in a 5 team district without your D1 quarterback.

Wait...this reminds me of something. Oh that's right. I can't help but think about the time I had some clients tell me what an idiot Gary Kubiak was. And how he was a disgrace to the coaching world. And how the Texans would never have a shot at the superbowl with him as head coach. Someone remind me please...How did Kubiak do this past season. I'm forgetful these days. Yep. This sounds a lot like that. I just love when people think they can do it better than people being paid to do a job. So easy to blame coaches.

I'm sure people will be lining up to get involved in that cluster of a school...(sarcasm). If you think by now that every coach in the entire state hasn't heard that parents at HF started up a criminal investigation against the coaches for "tough workouts".. then you're crazy. Any coach that's worth anything will stay as far away from that place as possible...and I'm sure they'll spread the word. Good job HF. I hope you all realize what's coming. All this just in time to graduate the only hope of a good football team you had (King)....Again. Good, good job.

No...I believe you're missing the point. Under those other "regimes" the school enrollment was higher. Significantly higher. Do me a favor, if you would. Find out for me how many boys are playing football in the area schools near you. West Hardin, Hardin, Liberty, Dayton, Kountze...then find out the total number of boys in the high school. I think you might see that statistically HD is probably about where they need to be as far as participation. Are you not seeing what I'm saying. It's simple math... Higher enrollment=more kids playing. Lower enrollment=less. You're saying there are 89 boys in high school...and you are expecting 50 to play? That's over half. You need to understand that that's fairly uncommon to begin with. AND...you keep talking about these other "regimes" like they were the saviors. You do realize I hope...that under the previous 2 "regimes", the junior high teams used 6th graders. You do know why JH teams use 6th graders, don't you? It's because of lack of participation or low numbers. It's seems that everyone realizes that when those groups (that used 6th graders) got to high school, numbers would be down. Everyone but you. It's not the coach my man. You guys are running out of kids...like we all said would happen. Low enrollment + high band numbers = low football numbers. Not hard to see. I also seem to remember that your previous "regimes" had several transfers on the teams. Y'all still have transfers?

Awe...I think it's cute you may actually believe that I would be offended by something you posted. You must not have seen my other posts... No I just think it's funny that every time I even infer that a team is bad, I get jumped on from every direction (not that I care)...Yet you come on here and say a football team is "gay"..I believe that right...and not a peep is said. Like I said, it's funny.

Couple things. I highlighted the areas I want to address. You see....if this group of high school players had to use 6th graders in Junior High...then there is no surprise at all that there isn't a JV team. Why would there be? If they had to use 6th graders in JH...then there weren't enough kids. By the way...the former "regimes" that you speak of are the staffs that had 6th graders playing football. What happened...kids didn't want to play for those guys? Next: Largest band? Ever think that may be the reason the football team numbers are down? I sure know that makes sense to me. How many kids were in band when the football team had these 50 players or so? Hmm..And also...isn't HD's enrollment like the lowest it's ever been? You guys dropped in division...so the enrollment is definitely down. Lastly: 28 out of 89? That's 31%...that's probably as good or better than any school in the area for certain. How many do you expect to play? 89 boys...if 50 played that's over half. You can count the schools in the state on 1 hand where half of the boys in the school play football. You guys better be glad you have Hodges....just how long do you think the list is of people that want to be there? The UIL has granted you a chance to make the playoffs with that team...and you have a coach that wants to be there. Well...did anyway. Who knows with all this petition crap. Not sure I'd hang around for that. Anyway...better leave well enough alone.

Interesting. Cant believe this post isn't getting more attention. I make a comment about a team being bad and the board lights up like a Christmas tree. Sabine Pass gets labeled the "one act gay mecca of effeminate dudes"...and nothing. Note to self. Better to call a group of kids effeminate than bad. Got it.

May seem harsh to some. But I've never been accused of showing sympathy... Bottom line is that Ozen literally slapped the UIL in the face by going against what people have been fighting for for years. There are over 10 different state champions now because of the decision to let teams play others with similar enrollment. Not saying I'm in absolute agreement with UIL because I'm not..but I will say this. UIL came up with a system for equal chance competition based on what 1000s of parents were complaining about up to this point. No offense but I could care less what the parents of Ozen athletes feel about my comment. How many parents were forced to watch their kids play schools with twice the enrollment hoping their kids simply didn't get hurt..much less compete? And the Ozen administration is doing it voluntarily? I wish UIL would've put them in a different district than Central just because.

I hope Ozen loses every single district game over the next 2 years. Deciding to play up in classification even tho the school enrollment suggests otherwise is completely unfair to every athlete on campus. Agree or not..the state sets those district cutoffs for a reason and schools shouldn't have to play schools with much higher enrollments in competition for state championships. This isn't 1950s Indiana. And whether or not they CAN compete in basketball or whatever is irrelevant. I feel bad for the kids but whoever made that decision needs to see that schools play other schools their same size for a reason. So again...I hope Ozen absolutely tanks because of this.

Hardin will do less traveling in this district than in the other one.

I would never bet money that there's no chance Tatum competes in football.

well...well...well... Look who's back. It's a funny thing...I actually knew you'd come back around as soon as I saw the district alignments. I actually think HD will get out of this district. Whether or not they win it I have no clue. Honestly, every school in the district has the potential any given year to be the worst team in football. So who knows. I am with AAW though...didn't you guys organize a petition to run Hodges out of town?

I think it's better. Just saying.

No that was to AAW about proving me wrong. Not you lol.

Yes I'll agree that anybody that has some skill can more than likely get some college ball experience of some kind. If they're willing to go far and wide..and most likely pay for their schooling. But I'll bet your ex teammate didn't get recruited to go to that dump school in South Dakota. I though the purpose of this conversation was to figure out why the Bullock kid wasn't being recruited. And I figured you'd sniff out an opportunity to prove me wrong. Curiosity tho...didn't those kids play college football? For some reason I was thinking those Cayuga kids were football players.

No doubt in my mind they're the favorite. As they should be. But remember...they lost the title game last yr to a team that most likely has zero college basketball players. See what I'm getting at? And...um...false. "wants to play bad enough" unfortunately will not get you on a college roster. As an ex college player of 4 years, I'm pretty proud of the fact that I accomplished something that can not be accomplished by simply "wanting it bad enough". Lot of things in play here.