Matt Dillon

I feel ya brother!!!

Man, I’m not sure about mine… I went back and forth on several pics

A lot of times great facilities are an indicator of what could be a great school district, but the number one determining factor in a school’s ability to provide a quality education is the talent in the classroom. I used to know of several schools that didn’t wow anyone with their facilities, but did a fantastic job of providing a quality education for their kids. I’m sure over the course of the past several years, some of those could have changed. But generally, schools that have been successful providing a quality education are kind of like those historically successful athletic departments, it just becomes a way of life for them

I completely get what you are saying. The chance to participate in successful programs is an important part of our kids life lessons. The thing is, for me anyway, is in the not too distant future, for the vast majority of kids, the game ends for them. A quality education will stay with them for a lifetime and will allow them to choose a variety of career paths. I hate seeing the guys who were big time studs and played at very high levels, late in life who have no path to take because of a lack of a good basic education. I know my town has these guys, I bet most of us know guys who fall in to this category in some way.

Me personally, I’m putting my kid or advising other friends if they ask, to enroll them in the school that will offer them the best opportunities to achieve a great education.

Now that the job has been posted, names of applicants usually gets out somewhat. Might be a few surprises you never know. It’s even possible an assistant at a highly successful program is wanting to get closer to a certain area in Texas and Livingston might be a good fit for them. I’ve never really had too many dealings with Livingston, but it seems like the area has a lot to offer. If any applicants come from highly successful programs or are at schools whose fortunes have changed recently, I would think those type guys would get an extra look. As far as others relocating, I would think most current coaches have gone through changes during their careers and would be willing to work for the new guy. He would be the guy in charge, so off season and summer workouts would be the time for him to coach up his coaches. If they aren’t open for that, they usually relocate on their own pretty quickly

You are exactly right with the points you raised. Sometimes the answer may lie in area that doesn’t readily present itself. Every community would love to have the guy who looks the part(age) and is articulate, but a younger guy who has turned multiple programs around can be hard to find. Sometimes the answer may lie with an older guy who still has that fire to win, but some are afraid he might be too old. Or, maybe look at that guy who has been an integral part of that older successful coach’s staff and traveled with him to multiple schools and was a part of turning some of those programs around. It will take some exhaustive research on the hiring committee’s part. Not to try and tell anyone how to run their search, but I have seen candidates get removed sometimes for the silliest of reasons. In my opinion, which shouldn’t matter to anyone else, the biggest step for Livingston right now would be trying to get knowledgeable and well informed people on the hiring committee or interview committee. think I read they are using a search firm, which is a good idea probably. But at some point a few names will be presented to whoever is making the final call. Research thoroughly

I agree. There are ways to have a good time while working everybody’s butts off. The real fun is the reward of a good win on a Friday night. Saturday morning film sessions with kids after a win is a great time to have some fun as well. Sometimes, with struggling programs, you have to guard against letting some of the peripheral stuff around the game becoming the focus, instead of the performance of kids and coaches.

Sounds like they need to look for a guy who has on his resume, experience in turning around struggling programs. Just from the outside looking in, there is a process that takes some time and effort in order to repair, I’m sure, what are multiple issues. First, I would think would be instilling a great work ethic in both kids and coaches. Kids should expect on their first day of middle school to get the hound worked out of them every day in their athletic periods, and the same should be happening during the high school athletic periods as well. Find a guy that understands fiery pep rally speeches and chest bumping kids as they come off the field has never won a game. Hard work, attention to detail, and holding kids and coaches accountable, and implementing a year round program for growth, all that non glamorous stuff, will change programs. Pretty sure some of those kind of guys are still out there. Hoping for the best for the kids and community of Livingston

Was Robbie Bozeman the QB from some of that time?

Can’t remember the QB name on those teams but he was a stud too… think he played the entire playoffs his SR year with a torn ACL wearing a leg brace

Fred could go…. Definite difference maker

1. Atascocita 2. North Shore 3. Kingwood 4. Summer Creek 5. LaPorte 6. A&M Cobsolidated 7. College Station 8. PA Memorial 9. South Oak Cliff 10. PNG 11. Alvarado 12. Gatesville 13. Hamshire Fannett 14. Bellville 15. LaVega 16. Franklin 17. Yoakum 18. Columbus 19. Hitchcock 20. Newton 21. Grand Saline 22. Honey Grove 23. Waskom 24. Cooper 25. Shelbyville

Off to a great start tonight…. Before it all comes to a stop tomorrow I’m sure.. lol

I truly don’t have a preference either way..I always kinda back in the day, thought the THSCA and the UIL would, if they went to a single site for the state championships, they would tie them in with the rotation of coaching school. Houston, San Antonio, and Fort Worth. The single site is good cause you can see all the games at once, but the travel to centrally located sites was cool too. Once, with two co workers, on the same day we saw a morning state championship in the dome, an afternoon game at Kyle field, and a night game in Waco… was a lot younger in those days … lol