PrairieMan

Ah, that makes more sense!!! I do remember now that there was a person on the Tarkington thread who kept gauging coaching success on strictly overall records and state titles. That's my bad, sometimes sarcasm is hard to read...

So you're telling me that if he doesn't win a state championship at HJ in seven years, his time there is going to be considered a bust? I think that's rather presumptuous considering their record is 9-30 since 2018. I will make no guarantees regarding their future football success as I know nothing about HJ's talent concerning their up and coming youth. However, I will guarantee you this, those kids and the parents there, of course except the few whose kid doesn't get to play that are always mad at everyone, will love him and love playing for him. He is a great person and great coach to help kids become young men.

Definitely ran spread. Had a very athletic wide receiver that played for him at Tarkington and is playing football at Henderson State. Great kid, Cole McLawchlin.

Absolutely not. I don't know anyone from HJ. That was just based on thought process. Thanks for playing though.

Just a reminder....

So in theory you think a coach isn't willing to bet on himself to go for new facilities, bigger school, closer to home and more money? All the coaches I know are taking that opportunity 99/100 times. You don't think everyone of them wants to prove they can go out there and establish their own program? The only way you get somebody to pass up on that opportunity is if they were already involved in the building process or maybe they are from there. Do you know for a fact that he didn't think long and hard about it. Do you think this process happened overnight? I would think if you asked him, he would tell you this was a hard decision because I think he had tremendous support here. I only know of one situation that was not positive and it was because a kid wasn't getting PT and at the end of the day, every program has that situation come up. Come on man, I know how bad you want to "pin" this one on Tarkington because in theory everyone leaves there because they hate it. I understand that this doesn't fit your Tarkington is horrible place with horrible people agenda but you're going to have to dig into another situation for your proof on this one.

Thanks for your great insight into the situation. When a bigger school comes calling close to your home with a substantial pay increase, I highly doubt many 3A programs are going to hold any coach from moving on. The Tarkington basketball program has a bright future from a talent standpoint. As usual, some know it all who doesn't know anything about the situation puts in their two cents. Make sure you let your friend Falcon whatever his name is know about the situation so the two of you can team up on bashing Tarkington kids, parents, whatever makes you feel better about yourself....... By the way, I'm in complete agreement with Barrett on the type of man Coach Sizemore is. Great person and a good coach. However, it will be interesting to see how he does when he has to build a program from scratch so to speak. He was handed a very disciplined strong senior group from Coach Scharer due to Covid situation and they probably came up a bit shy of expectations. Then last year's team had some really good highs and some really bad lows. Wish him nothing but the best and hope he has great success at his new job.

Haha!!! Couldn’t be further from the truth. Not going to say much because I don’t honestly know how much is public knowledge. But in this case he is leaving to take a new HC job for more money and closer to where he lives.

Couldn't agree with you more! I think it's a combination of things. I think like we've talked about previously, other factors come into play. When those Jr High kids come up to high school, the most talented ones get pushed into varsity too quick on the football side of things. Football is by far the hardest sport to step in as a Freshman and make a difference in my opinion. But because talent is sparse like we've mentioned, the high school coach has a tendency to want to push those kids up thinking they are going to be difference makers and more often than not, it tends not to work out. Then the lower level teams, JV and Freshman get destroyed because those couple kids were two way starters with big impacts to that team. So the decent kids that need the time to develop and need to put in the extra work to get better decide they got better things to do than run out there and get beat by 30 every night just so one day they can play varsity. I'm not saying it's a good thing by any means. What you wish is those kids would want to put in the extra work since they did have some success together, but for whatever reason it tends not to happen. That was one thing Carpenter did with those kids that did have the winning season and won in the playoffs. Most of those kids stayed together through all levels of football and when it came "their" time, they were ready and did well.

All I'm saying is if you're only looking at record that's a pretty unfair way to judge a high school football coach coming up through the ranks. For instance, Carpenter was handed a mess of a program for his first head coaching gig at Tarkington. Not only was he fighting the normal talent issues but there was also a total lack of discipline and mindset from everyone involved. He cleaned house and there were some tough years. Once he got it back up on its feet, he then took a decently talented team, beat a bigger school, took them to playoffs, beat Mexia and lost in the second round. Then you want to mock his 6-6 record at KO. Did you even bother to look at the schedule? Did you happen to notice the ringer of schools that they ran through before district even started? It included the state champions who they scored more points on than anyone else did all year long. Also they played the only team that beat North Shore all year and they played a really good Spring team without their QB. I'm just saying, lets stop looking at everything as if it's in vacuum. Different situations for everyone. Coach Bass is young and will be the HC somewhere and will win football games, I guarantee you that much. His attitude and leadership here at Tarkington were very impressive. He was handed a similar mess with the previous regime running off some of the talent. and finally if you don't respect Coach Snelson for the football coach that he is, then that's all I need to know about you. Ask any Texas football coach about the man that he is and the coach that he is.

You're relentless, I'll give you that! Have you seen all school age groups recently play to make these statements? Just wondering what your basis is other than the obvious underlying hatred. Their 8th grade group from last year lost 2 games all year long in football and lost only one game in basketball. Those kids are now Freshmen in high school and some were forced into the spotlight onto varsity because of how many starting seniors graduated last year. Their graduating QB left to play baseball for West Point, a couple baseball players went to play college ball and they had one of the better basketball teams that's come through in a while led by 5 starting seniors who should have beat Dibol in the playoffs had their 6th man and maybe second best shooter not had been flagrantly fouled where he broke his arm. Oh by the way no foul was called because the ref said the kid hit the ball and turned into 2 points their direction.....but I digress.... haha flashback to this year - They had a sophmore who started most of the games at QB, a Freshman WR and another WR that hadn't played football since he was in middle school. The starting middle linebacker who was a sophmore got hurt and thus pressed another freshman into the starting role. Starting freshman safety. The current 8th grade team had some decent skill position players but they were weak on the offensive line. Not trying to make claims about how unbelievably talented they are but there is SOME talent here.

I don't know who you are but you are clueless if your basing their coaching abilities off of the records that for the most part you entered wrong by the way. (How does a coach play 84 games in 3 seasons???) Brandon Carpenter is currently the head football coach of Klein Oak Zach Bass is the current OC of BW Don't forget the aforementioned Coach Snelson who is currently one of the top coaches in the state. As I mentioned in my other post, many other factors at play. Considering that both of them came into programs that were in total disarray due to the previous regimes. So what this proves more than anything is, good coaches that help turn around the program end up leaving for greener pastures and unfortunately they haven't done a good job of hiring the next guy which ends up turning the program up on it's head again and for a school like Tarkington, that can mean dark years before the next light can be seen. That's why this next hire is so important for a school like them.

Yeah but that came from a person who couldn't be further from Tarkington. Your post reads as if the community or other posters on here from the area think that. Which is the source of your constant thoughtless bashing of the kids. I will repeat, NOBODY from the area made this claim. I can guarantee you that most of the kids that are currently enrolled in Tarkington don't have parents that went there. So rationale should tell you that people have come and gone. Why haven't more "athletic" kids moved in is the question then, right? Well, we can all agree that the high school sports teams aren't bringing them in. So the people that are moving in to the area are coming in for a number of reasons, my guess is led by the fact they want their kids to have a yard or maybe a few acres to go outside, breathe fresh air and maybe raise a farm animal or two. So like I said previously, very few people here are looking for a football dynasty. They just want to see their kids become respectable adults and maybe a couple wins from whatever sports team their kid is on. That's just the mentality of the majority and even for me who is a sports fanatic and been here most of my life, it drives me crazy that we aren't more competitive or that kids aren't willing to put extra time in to improve their chances of getting better on Friday night. But for the most part that frustration goes away on Saturday morning when I go to the store and see kids hold open the door for adults and say yes sir and no sir to me when I ask them questions. By no means am I saying those things can't go hand in hand but that's the trade off that most people here are willing to make.

Please send me the quote where anyone from or around the situation that said that Tarkington had the talent to win the state title in football? Won't be able to because nobody did. Just looking for a good man that can come in, get the kids excited about playing ALL sports because every ounce of talent is needed in all of them to be competitive. Then maybe that person can motivate them to use their spare time in the summer and such to put in the extra work. Try to grow some focus on preparing the younger kids for high school ball and for the ones that are already there, put in a system that gives them the best chance of winning some games. They have some athletic kids, just need to be pushed and taught the right way to go about their business. Nobody here is looking for state titles, we aren't mistaken, this isn't Argyle. We want to give our kids the ability to pursue sports in whatever capacity they want to, achieve as much as possible and then go out into the real world and be good people. You should maybe spend a little less time polishing your youth football trophy and a little more effort into learning how to have a real conversation.

hahaha!!!! Thank you for reiterating my point. reiterating - say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity Based on your comments, I figured I would save you some time.....

Man you got some bitterness going on with the Prairie. Did some ole country boy whoop your *** or did some cowboy from there steal "your" girl? You never even have anything of value to say, just some random broad stroke dis that I'm assuming you have dialed up for all of your "most hated" areas. Feel free to put some thought into your comments from time to time, assuming you actually know how to.

Yes sir. One of the best high school coaches in the state!

Amen to that!!! One of the best coaches I’ve ever had. But you have to admit, todays kids couldn’t handle that Snelson.

bullets13, Calling Tarkington's kids or the people that live there names doesn't bother me. I'm not a part of the "offended" crowd. What gets me is the people on here that think or run their mouths like they truly know anything about the team or community. People that think that a certain coach was "run off" when they don't have a clue. I love how the group consensus is that ALL of Tarkington thinks their kids are D1 kids or that Tarkington parents are running coaches off in general. First off, every school and I mean EVERY from Chester to Duncanville has that one parent or set of parents that think the coach there is doing a horrible job. They could have won state last year, but wouldn't have lost that 1 game during the season if their kid would have played more downs, minutes, innings, etc. Even the guy that supposedly worked with Snelson in the 90's using him as the rarest example possible to prove that Tarkington parents from then didn't have a clue. I was around then and if there was anybody there that said that, I never heard it. The one thing I can tell you is I believe that was one of his early gigs and although I haven't had the chance to talk to him in forever, I promise you that the 2022 parents and kids could not handle a 90's Coach Snelson. He's a great man and I have nothing but respect for him, but I guarantee you even back then he rubbed somebody the wrong way and they were popping off at the mouth. If you guys want to have a discussion about things that are wrong at Tarkington, no problem, I'm in line to air my grievances as I've already done. But doesn't mean I going to sit idly by and watch some dude run his mouth about how they will never win and that they better schedule whatever school to ever get a victory just so he can get his jab in, then you are mistaken. I'm going to defend it EVERY time when it comes to that kind of thoughtless chatter (post).

idk, I would say your question is a very fair one. I think it's situational dependent but I will give you my take it on it. First of all, I don't know the actual numbers but from the outside looking in Tarkington, doesn't have the money or isn't willing to pay well compared to other schools. Handcuff that with either the inability or unwillingness to invest in athletic facilities and that's a start as to why coaches who have any success would not want to stay long. I mean just the mention of spending money on just a fieldhouse to upgrade the dilapidated one that's probably been there since my father was in school there, certainly was there when i was there and that's been a while, and people lose their minds. I mean 30-45 miles down the road, assistants are making close to or more than the AD/HC of the entire program. Considering just the normal headaches and additional responsibilities that comes with, who would want to deal with that for long unless you have some sort of ties to the area, school, etc??? The other scenario is you finally get a guy from the area to coach. Whether he does well or not, there is situational issues that have to be dealt with. People that you know well have kids in your program and you have to look those friends in the eye and tell them their kids don't deserve to start or worse don't belong on the team. People that you know don't like the play you picked or whatever and are now hollering from the stands, calling for your head because you didn't make the "right" decisions in their mind. I mean that's happening no matter where you go or who you are but it's likely a different feel when it's people you go to church with on Sunday or were at their house a couple weeks ago sharing your favorite beverages. Now you're getting paid less money, fighting the issues of less talent as a whole and having to look these people in the face day to day. Finally, the last and worst situation which doesn't typically include any success is you hire a guy from somewhere else who comes in with a big stick that's going to shake things up. Comes in and wants to clean things up but starts rubbing everyone the wrong way and nobody knows who you are you. You start running kids off because their attitude isn't right or they aren't putting forth the effort. One or two of those kids have some talent but because of the small town, they've always been catered to and they aren't used to somebody holding them accountable so they leave. Then the program in general can't compete so you lose a few other good players and now everyone is calling for your head because nobody knows you and you "ruined" their kids senior or junior year. Nobody wants to go through a rebuilding year or two or three in high school. 99% of these kids will never play a down after high school so no parents of or kids that are seniors want to be a part of decimation of a program even if it does benefit the future of the program. They can't look past the fact their high school kids career was a total waste. I mean what can we say we can't all be superstars like everyone on these forums. From all the high and mighty comments on this page, I'm sure everyone here played college or pro ball. Most were probably the best players to ever come through their program, just ask them........so I'm sure it's hard to relate to these issues.

Negative

Because seeing him perform his job first hand, I was impressed with the way he handled himself and what he accomplished. I think you're looking strictly at his football record at Tarkington and that's not fair to him. He was handed nothing thanks to the previous regime. A bunch of kids who never wanted to play football again. In two years, he made kids excited about playing again. He earned a ton of respect from his fellow faculty, staff and the athletes. I think with the backing of a bigger program he will accomplish alot.

I wonder if Bass put's in for this job. I know he's only been at WB for a year, but this feels like a good fit for him. Great guy who deserves to be an AD at a bigger school and it's fairly close to home.

Reading threads like this make me lose my mind. There are a few comments on here that make sense but some of you have no clue what you're talking about, yet you run your mouth as if you do. If Tarkington is so awful then why waste your time and words running down their kids and their community just because you're used to doing so on this site because nobody calls you out or will say anything. First off Carpenter didn't "get run out" of Tarkington. He left for better opportunities because he had a goal to be a 6A head coach. This just in, there is probably no football coaches that aspire to do great things that want to make a career out of coaching football in Tarkington or insert any 3A program, even if it is your hometown. Second, Newton even though his kids go to school here isn't leaving his gig because he loves where he's at and what he has going on. He hasn't applied so NOBODY has "turned him down". So you can stop beating that dead horse. Third, Belt is currently at Tarkington helping with offseason and softball for whoever put that he's at Anahuac. Fourth, Howard got ran off because kids just kept quitting. I personally liked him but my kid wasn't in high school at the time so I can't give 100% accurate statement as to what was the final straw but talking to other parents, not many people cared for him or his coaching style. Which is similar to the current situation. Coach A was ran off because him and nobody else could get along. That went for coaches, kids, parents, etc. Again my kid isn't in high school so I don't know what really went on, but let's just say, I've heard the list of reasons people didn't like him. Lastly, Bass didn't leave because he got ran off. There were other factors at play, including he got a 6A OC job, one of the better talent pools recently was graduating and some that didn't have to do with football at all. The thing is, the reason Bass and Carpenter were some of the more successful coaches here didn't have as much to do with X's and O's as it did with the type of people they were. They were people that kids wanted to come out and play for. I think some of you don't understand the reality behind how important it is for schools like Tarkington to get the "right" kids to come out and play all the sports. Tarkington wouldn't have success at anything if they didn't have some athletes. Which isn't the case as they've been fairly successful at basketball and baseball throughout the years. But just like any other small school, talent is cyclical. So even if you get the right kids out, they may be younger as is currently the case and you're right they need consistency. They need consistent coaching that pushes to get the best out of them and keeps the fire burning to want to play sports vs other things such as work, hunt, etc. There is a reason that most of the people love it out here so much. Their kids don't grow up on the streets or somewhere that they don't have a back yard where they have to have sports to be entertained. They have land and the ability to ride four wheelers, hunt, play outside in general with their friends and many other things to do. That doesn't make them "inbred" or "rednecks" like some dumb*** said. It makes them fortunate. Rant over. Go back to gloating about your school's "greatness" and everyone else's downfalls.

Not the whole story though. If GCM doesn’t have 20+ bad turnovers things could have been different the other way. They probably had 12 or so in the first quarter alone. Threw it out of bounds or to BU or lost the dribble. They were very sloppy with the basketball at times. Who knows what they could be if they had a real ball handler. #4 was forced to control the basketball a lot because their guards struggled with pressure defense on them.