oldschool2

Of all of the languages to be spoken, to chose facts.

I said there were examples. Make a list of the coaches that won it once and never got close again. Or even twice. You're obviously not understanding what I'm saying.

Coaching + talent + appropriate level of competition = success. All three are necessary. Surratt isn't winning ANY state championships at a vast majority of Texas high schools. Surratt isn't winning ANY state championships in 5A/6A with the same teams he's had in Carthage's classifications. Disclaimer: I know that's an unrealistic task, but an example of how the level of competition comes into affect. Every classification year teams are made into winners and losers based on those cutoffs. Every other year the same coach, with the same players can move down and dominate or move up and struggle. Literally every re-classification.

There's no question that examples exist. These two men have successfully created the greatest high school football dynasties to have existed. Culture helps to get wins over close games or games in which winning experience is necessary. No doubt. Don't, however, act for one second like they aren't loaded with talent. Also loaded with kids/parents that would love to have real estate within their school district. Are they the best coaches in the game? Quite possibly. Definitely on paper. Could they go elsewhere and have the same success? Multiple state championship success? That's where I'll gladly debate you. Where you provide examples of unmatched success, I could provide countless examples of coaches that won it.. maybe even more than once.. and then never got close again for the rest of their career. Can you explain that? The only thing that changes every year is players and schedules. Briles is another great example. Coaching definitely matters when talent is similar.

Coaching is nowhere near 80% of it. That said, good coaches can get more out of bad teams than bad coaches can. Still need talent. Coincidentally, bad/mediocre coaches can have success at a place with great players. You see it every year. If coaching was 80% of it, the same coaches would win it all or get close every year. Yes.. I know.. Carthage, Aledo, etc.. Not taking anything away from either coach, but I'd bet good money that a lot of coaches in the state could have similar success right now. The cultures have faithfully bought into doing whatever is necessary for both programs to be successful in football. WOS and Newton are great examples of relatively poor communities making deep runs. They also happen to have more natural athletic ability than just about everyone they play. That matters.

Nice Try, Danny. We aren't fooled.

Although very important, are we ready to admit that players > coaches?

Aledo.. Carthage probably.. Austin Westlake probably

Good grief.

They could certainly schedule teams that are much weaker than their UIL schedule would have been. Point remains. It's crazy that that's an option.

Perhaps he wanted his kids to graduate. I don’t know.

Absolutely right. I think that every coach in the state should assess their school's individual situation each classification year. Better yet.. each season. If it's deemed by the staff based on strength of district competition or loss of players to graduation, they should let UIL know that they're just gonna play an outlaw season. As opposed to the regularly scheduled district that UIL came up with due to enrollment and geographic location. If they're not "in any danger of having to worry about playoffs anyhow", just make it easy on everyone else. That way, the remaining teams in each district across the state can just play it out for seeding. I think this is fantastic, West Hardin High School. You guys are the trend setters. Way to lead into the new decade! Can't win? No worries.. just play schools you can beat.

I doubt they'll schedule anyone they don't think they can beat. Otherwise they would've played the schedule given to them. In my opinion.. I'm sure they'll be scheduling Burkeville, Sabine Pass, Colmesneil, High Island, etc.. Possibly twice if any of them will agree to it. Maybe some 3A jv teams.

I have no doubt that it's going to get a lot of interest. Buna would probably be a really good job. Especially for this area.. I only mention Mark because I personally know what a great guy he is as well as good coach. If what I read is true about what Evadale is paying him, then they don't deserve to keep him. I hope he leaves and takes a bunch with him.

Not gonna lie.. I hope Mark Williams throws his name in as the next replacement.

Imagine a school not liking their UIL appointed district to the point of just not participating. Oh.. it's West Hardin. I'm sure kids will be lining up in droves to play knowing that even if they have a successful year there will no chance at even one playoff game. Great message.

I'm hoping this is a good game. It would certainly make a huge splash for Crosby to bring one to the area.. especially off of the Aledo machine. However, I'm inclined to think Aledo gets another one. As much as I like Cinderella stories, you have a group of kids/coaches on one sideline that just seemingly doesn't know how to lose. Experience is huge in these situations. Having said that... give em hell, Crosby.

Is Surratt out of fingers yet? It won’t be long and he’ll request state championship bracelets.. or necklaces.

Not sure I'd hire a coordinator that could potentially replace you based on reputation alone. I know that every OC/DC is a potential head coach.. but hiring a name like that is a good way to get yourself pushed out. Plus, it's no secret that Briles likely wants to be a head coach.

Carthage gonna Carthage..

What an incredible experience for the kids he coached to have been coached by such a big name in the football business.

Definitely more rural but you're familiar with how affluent the area is. It really is something. Celina, Pilot Point, Gunter, etc.. just nice neighborhoods and new businesses. Very, very, very few "slum" parts of town. If any. Of course, exceptions are and can be made in any situation but I really wish more people would familiarize themselves with the influences of money in high school sports.

For sure. I just mean that they probably know how to rebound after an emotionally draining game. Canadian gets rings.. Coincidentally, have you ever been to Gunter? Or.. that area?

This isn't the first time they've beaten their nemesis, Gunter, on their way to the state title game. In fact, it's a pretty common occurrence. As much as I like the defeating of teams that always win it.. I'm not betting against Canadian. Good luck, underdogs.

Surface deep is all that it takes to appease the mob more times than not. Wins and playing time... that's truly only surface deep. Yet, it gets coaches hired and fired on a yearly basis.