Gridiron60

I've heard the money will be found. It's just a matter of time now. I was told between mitchell and the soccer complex they've paid in excess of 80k. You could keep paying that......or invest that into your own facility. Besides......they just hit us hard on property taxes. There will be money.

Work has begun at Graham and Tazewell.  From my understanding, they can't put turf down until the temperature remains above 54 degrees for an extended period of time, but the other foundational work has begun.  Don't know much about Graham's field, but hear that Tazewell's field will include new visitors seating, a track (not sure if rubberized or not) -  Not sure if there will be much done to the home side of the stadium, haven't heard.  The Turf field will be alternating dark and light green, bulldog logo in the middle and the field will be trimmed in black.  Markings for soccer and track and field will be included on the field (not 100% sure on that).  I believe that everything at THS should be good to go for next football season.    When all is said and done, I believe it will be very similar to the setup at Christiansburg High School.  
Also hearing that Tazewell is planning to upgrade their softball field and install a permanent fence and add more seating and lighting. 
 
As for Graham, it looks like they have torn down the fence between the two fields and the turf looks (to me anyway) like it will be laid down somewhere in the middle of where the two practice fields were (I assume to make room for a future grandstand and visitors stands).  I hear they are also getting a track.  
 
But yes, work has begun and I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out at THS, from what I hear, it will look very nice.
As for Richlands, haven't heard, but I would assume, most of that work will be put off until the weather gets warmer, since not as much has to be done.

Graham vs Lebanon Tuesday night. Pretty big game in the district 

Played well tonight against Marion, 40 point win.  May need to bring up a couple more jv players at seasons end, if they get in foul trouble, only having 8 players 

Not many like Yew left. Power run, play defense, run some more, play great defense. I love old school coaches like that. Like most things, they are also a dying breed with the way the game has changed offensively. I wonder if guys like Carlock or Fry would be shocked if they could come back to life and see what football has become? I'm not saying it's a bad thing. It's just totally different. 
I just hope before I leave this world, I get to see the Bandana Bunch run the ball down somebody's damn throat for 15 games and win another state title. I just want one more man, one more. Greedy? Yep. My guess is that won't happen because if it does, it won't be Giles High anymore.

I personally don’t believe we’ll have to 😂. I think he stays put. 

Two great areas in SWVA are now without a head football coach.
Which one will Bill Belichick chose?
Both Lebanon and Wise offer tremendous eateries, shopping options, and scenic views...
Could come down to the wire in this one.

Is every job that was open 2 years ago gonna come back open??

Totally agree with this.  Now the other part falls on the fans and the parents.  Don't expect a miracle, Davis should not be expected to turn the program around next year or even two years.  Culture building takes time, and the parents and fans must buy into the understanding that the least improvement from last year is a step in the right direction.  Parents, back off and let the coach be the coach, that means being realistic about you childs talent level.  Fans, back off and stop the critisism everytime you feel the coach isn't doing things your way.  It takes a village to raise a child and it will take the RHS community to turn this program around.  Support the coach, even if you feel that you could do a better job, afterall, you didn't throw your hat into the ring when the position was open.  We all need to come together and give this thing time. In three or four years, if we're still where we are now, then Kattie bar the door, but as for now, PATIENCE AND SUPPORT  is what's needed.

I think every team needs a dedicated QB coach who knows how to develop them and maximize a kid’s potential. Nothing against Graham’s staff but I wish they had the one with the resumè that you speak of which I have no clue who that is but I wish the GMen had one.

I highly doubt Ronnie made this decision based off a kid from another school.  I doubt that was a factor at all.  We learned something this year.  If you build a culture and work on developing your kids you can win.  The college football national championship showed us what player development and culture looks like.  It is this simple.  If Davis rolls up his sleeves and puts in the work, stays positive but holds his kids' accountable he will turn it around.  If he asks the same of his assistants and stays away from daddy/buddy ball, he will turn it around. 

More importantly, this topic has reached the 600-post milestone.

2026 Daniel Jennings from Graham received an offer from West Virginia. I imagine they see him as a linebacker.

I could not agree with this more! At the small school level there is always going to be a team or two that are more stacked than the rest. Graham Union riverheads all come to mind. I think the true measure of a coach is taking a traditional 2 or 3 win team and coaching them to a playoff appearance every year even if those playoff appearances never make it past the second round. If someone gets the Northwood job and they all of a sudden put those kids in the playoffs on a yearly basis that is a great coaching job. The turn around that Rye Cove has had is an example of an amazing coaching job! If that continues past the next 2 years than put Collier in the hall of fame

I wouldn’t call him underrated, he just had absolutely nothing around him. Defense gave up 35+ a game and the kid had no O line. He has the best arm talent on this side of the state but it’s hard to show case that with what he had around him. Creasy is more polished than he is overall but Reece is more talented

Spot on. I agree in that it takes both coaching and talent. That’s why it’s so difficult to separate the two, even in football. 
Softball is definitely the sport where you can ride a talented pitcher all the way to a title, but a lot still must go right. 
It’s likely more common the most successful teams are the most talented and not just well coached. That’s why I have such a hard time as an outsider judging how good of a coach many of the local legends are comparatively. Many are probably good program builders or managers that generate excitement and support. I think many are simply at a point to “not mess it up.”
As far as coaching is concerned for reference, I believe that the Mance staff’s best coaching jobs were probably 2008 or the River Michael’s/Zeke Vance led teams. They certainly were not as talented as the state title or runner up teams, but probably maximized the talent available. I believe Ronnie Davis was present on both staffs. 
 

Spot on…you can’t force desire and so many kids these days want the rewards but want to bypass the work to get there. 

It's quite interesting that folks are talking not about what Davis brings to the table, but what D. Palmer would bring to the table after this hire.  

Lebanon could have easily won the PH game. Think the final was 37-24 or something like that. Reece got them inside the 5 yard line 3-4 times and didn’t score. Lebanon has zero run game and zero receivers fast enough to get open on a short field. So who would you consider impressive? If you put Reece in Union or grahams offense they would have been the serious favorite to win state.

Spot on…you can’t force desire and so many kids these days want the rewards but want to bypass the work to get there. 

Can't win on an empty stomach. 

I personally don't see Dennis leaving Graham, but I've been wrong many times in my 70 years if life.  I would like to see him back at Richlands because I think his defensive coaching skills played a big part in the good teams that Mance had while he was HC.  Offense is fun to watch, but as the saying goes, defense wins championships.  Come to Richlands or stay at Graham, eitherr way, I wish him the best in his retirement.

Spot on…you can’t force desire and so many kids these days want the rewards but want to bypass the work to get there. 

Yeah, I meant "March" to imply working all year. It's hard to compete on a state level if you're not in the weight room all year long. That's why so many schools are replacing traditional gym classes with weight training. But you can't force kids into it. They either want to or they don't. 
I overheard a decently famous golf instructor tell a dad one time, "if he's not doing this on his own, dragging you out of the house to hit balls everyday, he's never going anywhere in this game. You can't do it for him and you can't force desire!"

I think if the Lebanese want to keep a coach for the long term, a unlimited gift card to Pal's should be on the negotiating table.