CoachedB4

I do apologize GOGMENGO if I offended you or Mr. Akers. I called Mr. Akers a KID because he is much younger then I, not because of his inexperience. Also, it seems to me like you have a problem with Mr. Palmer as well by your derogatory remarks about him. It also seems to me that your idea of an assistant coach and mine are two different things. IMO, an assistant coach should take the same approach to coaching as the Head Coach that he works under. That creates continuity and strong leadership and in Mr. Palmers case, just because some of the players like you doesn't mean you aren't worthy of a head coaching job. As far as credintials go, I'm not doubting any of Mr. Akers' but I do know that Mr. Palmer has some hisself including a four your stint as a DC with the short lived Barons semi-pro team that won the only four conference championships that were in. I'm sure both are very qualified but all I'm saying is don't put down anyone without knowing all of the facts about them which I do not have about either one.

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with any comments that have been posted but here is what I know to be a fact: 1-Williams called most of the shots and didn't take many suggestions from the staff. (that didn't work out so well for him.) 2-I've heard some of the names rumored to be interested in the job and I'm sure that Carlock and O'neal will make the best choice they can. Regardless, there will be complaints about anyone they choose (by me as well LOL). 3- I don't know much about the Akers kid but have heard good things about what he has done at RR. He's a Graham/Carlock boy that knows the tradition. 4. I know Palmer well and he has been coaching long enough to deserve a shot at being a head coach if that is who Carlock/O'neal choose. Besides, one never gets HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE unless you are hired as a head coach. Plus, the kids do like him, he is a Graham/Carlock guy as well, and he's young enough to have some exciting and fresh ideas. Also, I read on here people talking about needing to be a teacher to coach or needing to be at the school all the time, Palmer does have his teaching degree and all Tazewell Co./Graham has to do is throw him in a job. (I.e. William's old job).

First off, no one said that Graham was a powerhouse under Marrs. Although Marrs had some good attributes as a coach, I don't think he was a very good judge of talent and listened to the wrong people. Same can be said about Williams, he has a few good attributes as a coach (Strength and Conditioning), but I don't think he is very good with Offense or Defense. Second, was moonshine's comment intended for the 1st or 2nd sentence you replied to?

First to GMan, I coached football for many years and at the High School level for a bunch of those years and I can tell you with absolution that I would not be on his staff because he is very arrogant, does not listen to any of his staff, and from what I have seen the last 3 years, now starting his 4th year, I have forgotten more about football than he'll ever know. BTW, when someone is posting on an OPINION forum, you shouldn't make snide comments about things you know absolutely nothing about. Second to BeaverHokie, to give credit where it is due, Williams has created a strength and conditioning program that has really put muscle on these kids and has them in very good shape. Other than that, he hasn't changed their attitude as much as he has given them confidence with that strength and conditioning. Offensively, his play calling is very archaic and leaves no room to grow and learn for his athletes. Defensively, turning the defense over to his former defensive coach from Salem, that is all you are gonna see is that "Salem 53" as he already said in the BDT Blitz. Lastly, the straw that broke the camel's back for me was when he was doing a pre-game interview before the game Friday, I was walking by and heard him say, "This game doesn't mean anything, it is only for the fans." Being from Salem, he wouldn't know a thing about what the Graham/Beaver game means to former and current football players at Graham and Bluefield and it really bothers me when he talks about Traditions and knows nothing about Graham's Traditions. Further, anyone who has coached knows that regardless of what state your opponent is from and what points you may or may not get, a win is a win and a loss is a loss and at the end of the season, more of the former is better than more of the latter.

The problem with Graham's "D" all comes down to coaching. The schem they run is archaic unless you have some REAL studs at linebackers and a few other spots. Not to mention the fact that there is no containment with the ends (he uses his outside backers for that) and they make no changes as far as shifting and stunting. The talent is there but he is NOT a very good coach. IMO, as well as the majority of Blfd., VA he needs to go in order for those young athletes at Graham to prosper in the future.

For the record, I know for a fact that this decision was completely the young mans and not his father's. He decided he was wasting his talents with the coaching philosophy of Graham's illustrious leader. This seems to be becoming an all too familiar theme with some young men associated with the Graham program. IMO, I think he is way too concerned with making changes to the legacy and traditions of the program instead of making changes to his offensive and defensive philosophies to accommodate a new age of football and the athletic styles of his players. There should be no hard feelings for a young man who feels he has hit a wall put up by his coach and wants to better himself athletically. With that being said, I DO still get a little disappointed with the lack of loyalty to a school but, I understand that often times an athletic coach can make all the difference in the world to an athlete.

The only two Graham seniors that I can think of that may play in it if offered would be Spencer Sheets and Cody Hatfield.

I know this young man and knew his father fairly well. My heart breaks for the family and prayers and sympathy with them all.

Haven't posted anything in a while and would like to say I'm glad to see some posting about football again. I don't want to rush the summer away, but I always look forward to football. I just wanted to take a second to give my opinion about the upcoming 2013 Graham G-Men. I know almost all of this batch of G-Men and I have known for a long time that they were going to be a force to reckon with when they got older if they stuck together. I heard and was very disappointed to hear about the young man who was expelled and yes there was unlimited potential and expectations for him, but he is old enough to know right from wrong and the consequences are on him. To shorten this, the 2013 G-Men can be a state champ contender team from top to bottom, but unless a legitimate running back emerges, everybody's expectations that have posted on this board should be considerably lower. That's the only thing this squad is missing.

Just wanted to say congrats to the GMS squad on their success and to say that there are a few younger kids playing on the varsity squad but there are enough young men left to make a JV squad and that is imperative for the future success of the GMEN. Those young men who are not getting to play varsity, do not have a lot of incentive to get out there and continue to be a tackling dummy during those long practices, so they may start to lose interest! JV is just an important part of a program!

Agreed that they love those G-Men and I thought they were absolutely awsome back in the 90's. I was so looking forward to getting them back on the air this year because I know and love both Robinson and Blackwell but, to be honest, now that I have had the opportunity to listen to them a couple of times, they talk about too many other things than football and one can't really follow the game at all. All the love and respect for them, I just wish they would call the game and worry about everything else during pre-game, timeouts, and half-time. Just my opinion though!

I agree with everyone on here. I think it's going to hopefully be a great game and it would be great for Graham to get back to a level where this game every year will be a toss-up! With Richland's recent domination of this area in football, Graham is still going to have a mountain to climb to get a win but, this is as close to each other, hype-wise, that these two teams have been since 07! Can't wait to be there! BTW-this King Kone guy is a character! LOL!

Hello everyone! I have'nt posted anything in a really long time but still read your posts all of the time. Just had a few minutes and wanted to say something about the gripe that Lance was referring to. Being a former coach, it really didn't make a difference to me about the holdbacks because I believed that everyone plays on a level playing field! My best 11 against your best 11! The advantage that a holdback does have on the field is his body maturity! Plain and simple, a 19 year olds body is typically developed much more than an 18 year olds or an 18 year olds is much more developed than a 17 year olds! It's just a fact of nature! Everyone still has to play in the same elements regardless. I always believed in HEART over most other attributes anyway! LOL!

Whoa! Sorry I ruffled so many feathers! 1. Thought it was clear that this was my opinion and not a JAB at Coach Williams! He will be fine as long as he adjusts to his kids! 2. One can't get any info from the radio because i have listened, and you can't tell where the ball is on the field by listening to that broadcast, much less, what the team is doing! I assure you, my opinion is formed by watching! 3. I wasn't on "staff" but to pull my own chain, make no mistake that I know how to call an offense myself!

This is my first time posting on this website and I want to say first that I do see some very good posts on this site pertaining to the pride of SWVA Football! I do get a kick out of some of the bickering between you very dedicated fans! I've been around a long time and I am a Graham High Supporter and have been all my life! I would like to say that I was and am very proud of the kids on the Graham squad for their dedication, devotion, and effort toward having a tremendous season! I was fortunate to make it to several games and will be the first to say that I do like the direction that new Head Coach Williams is hopefully taking our very prideful program! I like his energy with the kids, his discipline he bestows upon the student-athletes, and his recognition of the type of program we had in the past and the way we want it to be again! The only glitch i saw with the season was the offensive play calling! I know the type of athletes that he has/had this season and from experience, they were/are not designed to run the Power "I"! With all due respect, other than a few plays here and there to mix it up, the Power "I" is almost an obsolete offense! These players are better designed, with their size and speed, for a spread/option based offense! Not trying to be an antagonist, just my opinion!