Livingston Open

[PlayActionPass]

11 minutes ago, Matt Dillon said:

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.  

No argument from me.

Set the standard, hold them to the standard.

Coach fundamentals and instill discipline.

Show up and get better everyday.

Always remember, the little things really are the big things. 

[Mr. Thornton Melon]

Slot-T sux

[Matt Dillon]

49 minutes ago, Kegger said:

The question now is does a coach with that kind of resume take a job in Livingston? Is Livingston a "Good Job"? A coach with a proven record of turning programs around and running them the right way will most likely be a top candidate for his pick of jobs. The other problem is guys like that probably have a few coaches that come with them. Does Livingston (legit asking) pay assistants well enough to have them move there? In today's housing (Interests rates) market it isn't as easy as it used to be to pick up and move.  When I was high school our HC was fired and a new one was hired. There was like 8 new coaches that came. Does that happen anymore? In metro areas probably but in rural places probably not. Im sure they will have their fair share of candidates though. HC job is a HC job.

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 

[2wedge]

The turnaround in Huffman, in this same district, should signal hope into the folks in Livingston. Hire the right guy, and this thing can turn around on a dime. It was only a few years ago that Livingston was very competitive and, I believe, had a playoff berth. They have some good young groups in the pipeline if a program is built and ready to roll. There is a coach who lives just West of the TX/LA border, who is currently coaching just West of the TX/LA border, who would be a great hire to begin building Livingston back up. I'm very interested in seeing who ends up with this gig. 

[Kegger]

What programs in the area would you qualify as potential models to follow. I ask back to the question of high cost of relocating. You might get a HC to move but bringing his assistants is a problem. If you "steal" a vital member off of a successful nearby program you might be able to get some of the assistants to come to. No one man can turn a ship on his own. Gonna need a strong support system. Robinson in Shepherd has had some good years, Belt in Tarkington did well his first year, Woodville has been successful. Willis has been extremely good lately. I think a coach off of those staffs or the head guy himself would be a good target. Obviously some HCs on from those teams are not realistic but a member of the staff could be a big get.

[89Falcon]

1 hour ago, 2wedge said:

The turnaround in Huffman, in this same district, should signal hope into the folks in Livingston. Hire the right guy, and this thing can turn around on a dime. It was only a few years ago that Livingston was very competitive and, I believe, had a playoff berth. They have some good young groups in the pipeline if a program is built and ready to roll. There is a coach who lives just West of the TX/LA border, who is currently coaching just West of the TX/LA border, who would be a great hire to begin building Livingston back up. I'm very interested in seeing who ends up with this gig. 

Does Livingston have a group like the Jr class in Huffman coming through?

[Vini vidi]

Coaching pay in suburbs has got to be pretty good. Guys can make mid 80’s pretty quick with enough stipends. Can be hard to leave for assistant job in country for 15k cut not to mention if wife teaches. Subs pay mid 60’s rural not so much.

[Matt Dillon]

1 hour ago, Kegger said:

What programs in the area would you qualify as potential models to follow. I ask back to the question of high cost of relocating. You might get a HC to move but bringing his assistants is a problem. If you "steal" a vital member off of a successful nearby program you might be able to get some of the assistants to come to. No one man can turn a ship on his own. Gonna need a strong support system. Robinson in Shepherd has had some good years, Belt in Tarkington did well his first year, Woodville has been successful. Willis has been extremely good lately. I think a coach off of those staffs or the head guy himself would be a good target. Obviously some HCs on from those teams are not realistic but a member of the staff could be a big get.

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 

[TheOutsider]

20 hours ago, Vini vidi said:

Coaching pay in suburbs has got to be pretty good. Guys can make mid 80’s pretty quick with enough stipends. Can be hard to leave for assistant job in country for 15k cut not to mention if wife teaches. Subs pay mid 60’s rural not so much.

Starting pay at LIV is around 60k just for teaching. As the 59 corridor continues to grow (Splendora/Cleveland for example) assistant may not have to move very far just have to drive a little further. LIV hs is amazing newer campus and bout to build a new stadium. Year after year they have some of best looking kids in the district. If they don’t mess this up, could be a goldmine

[2wedge]

21 hours ago, 89Falcon said:

Does Livingston have a group like the Jr class in Huffman coming through?

Not that I am aware of, but I am sure there are athletes in Livingston who just need to be set up to succeed. 

[CardinalBacker]

They should try opting down again. 

[Old Ape]

Livingston has a sign in the middle of town that says “meth not even once”. That is all you need to know about Livingston!

[PlayActionPass]

On 11/22/2024 at 11:51 PM, Old Ape said:

Livingston has a sign in the middle of town that says “meth not even once”. That is all you need to know about Livingston!

No reason to hate.

Lots of good people and lots of things to like about Livingston. 

Any names surfaced???

[WOSdrummer99]

On 11/19/2024 at 6:05 PM, PlayActionPass said:

They are using a search firm.

That could work. We used a search "soft". <Insert joke here>

Good luck Lions.

[setxathlete14]

On 11/22/2024 at 1:44 PM, CardinalBacker said:

They should try opting down again. 

Opting is always an option. Are they considering any BC assistants? Highly qualified after that season they put up. 

[CardinalBacker]

3 hours ago, setxathlete14 said:

Opting is always an option. Are they considering any BC assistants? Highly qualified after that season they put up. 

We're fighting above our weight class.... some would argue that we're the pound for pound champions around these parts. 

 

 

[AggiesAreWe]

2 minutes ago, CardinalBacker said:

We're fighting above our weight class.... some would argue that we're the pound for pound champions around these parts. 

 

 

To be honest, I didn't have too much an issue with BC moving up. Their enrollment is very close to the Div. I cutoff. Most likely will be DI next realignment.

Now for Hardin-Jefferson and Liberty, that's another story.

[2wedge]

23 hours ago, AggiesAreWe said:

To be honest, I didn't have too much an issue with BC moving up. Their enrollment is very close to the Div. I cutoff. Most likely will be DI next realignment.

Now for Hardin-Jefferson and Liberty, that's another story.

It's just weak. I'm not sure how it played in HJ, but Liberty's numbers were way way down in the lower classifications. Makes sense when admin signals they do not think they can compete. 

[PlayActionPass]

41 minutes ago, 2wedge said:

It's just weak. I'm not sure how it played in HJ, but Liberty's numbers were way way down in the lower classifications. Makes sense when admin signals they do not think they can compete. 

Never will be a fan of running from competition. 

But, back to Livingston......

They have good groups coming.

And, they can compete with the right leadership. That leadership does NOT have to include the slot-t. Orangefield proved this year that with good coaching a team can run ANY offense and be successful. 

Culture is MUCH more important than scheme in Livingston. 

[navydawg31]

1 hour ago, PlayActionPass said:

Never will be a fan of running from competition. 

But, back to Livingston......

They have good groups coming.

And, they can compete with the right leadership. That leadership does NOT have to include the slot-t. Orangefield proved this year that with good coaching a team can run ANY offense and be successful. 

Culture is MUCH more important than scheme in Livingston. 

How far did they go in the playoffs? 

[PlayActionPass]

1 hour ago, navydawg31 said:

How far did they go in the playoffs? 

I knew this we going to be the response.

Fairfield was a pretty good 4 seed.

But, regardless,  winning a District Championship in your 1st year in a completely different offensive system is pretty impressive.  Many fail to realize that Orangefield accomplished a TON in only 6 months of learning and implementing a totally different offensive philosophy. 

It can be done.

And, just because you are in shotgun does NOT mean you can't play SMASH mouth football. 

[setxathlete14]

1 hour ago, PlayActionPass said:

I knew this we going to be the response.

Fairfield was a pretty good 4 seed.

But, regardless,  winning a District Championship in your 1st year in a completely different offensive system is pretty impressive.  Many fail to realize that Orangefield accomplished a TON in only 6 months of learning and implementing a totally different offensive philosophy. 

It can be done.

And, just because you are in shotgun does NOT mean you can't play SMASH mouth football. 

Offensive scheme does not dictate success it's the execution, attitude and effort within any systems.

[Matt Dillon]

9 minutes ago, setxathlete14 said:

Offensive scheme does not dictate success it's the execution, attitude and effort within any systems.

100% spot on…. Sprinkle in a dab of support from admin to make some structural changes in the daily schedule, backing when some get their feelings hurt, and good things are just around the bend

[PlayActionPass]

On 11/26/2024 at 2:18 PM, Matt Dillon said:

100% spot on…. Sprinkle in a dab of support from admin to make some structural changes in the daily schedule, backing when some get their feelings hurt, and good things are just around the bend

This is going to be an interesting hire.

Does Livingston try to recapture old "glory" by bringing back someone they have already fired once?

Does Livingston bring in a "modern" offensive philosophy and a coach that knows the community and how to win (relevant) at difficult places?

Does Livingston go completely out of their comfort zone and bring in a complete UNKNOWN?

What say Ye?