RichlandsAlum

[ QUOTE ] jeff hurst? get a clue. he is no where near the ref that saunders henderson or barry yost is. maybe a tony nenni type. he has always had the chance of working with altizer and brown. do not forget the famous bud "elmer fudd" galimore. [/ QUOTE ] Let's not sell Hurst short. I think olewave nailed it. He is perfect as a stand-in Tony Nenni.

[ QUOTE ] I say bring back Jack Lyons and Robbie Rhoades or even Tom Chafins I think they were the last set of coaches to take a Richlands BB team to state. Can anyone tell me the last time a Richlands team Basketball Boys or girls has gone to the state?, and who the coach was? As for AD I say bring back Ole GB he can geter dun. [/ QUOTE ] Don't know if your post was entirely tongue-in-cheek, but I think it merits a response. From a historical perspective, Richlands frankly doesn't have much of a basketball tradition besides the impressive run that began in the 1980's and a couple of flashes of brilliance under Mark Dunham back in the 1960's. No Richlands boys team has ever made it to the state tournament (at least in its post-1970 format). For that matter, I don't think Richlands has ever won a regional playoff game in hoops. Came close against George Wythe in 1985 when Reggie Blevins was coaching. But close doesn't count. RHS did play E.C. Glass many, many years ago (back in the 1940's or perhaps even earlier) in a playoff game which the Blues also lost. Don't know exactly how they qualified for that playoff or how it was sanctioned, though. I know of only one appearance in the state tournament by the girls, which was in 1986 at Salem. They acquitted themselves very well, beating William Byrd in the quarterfinals before losing a close game to Spotswood in the semifinal. The coach of that team was.....drum roll, please.....Tom Rife. Of the folks you specifically mentioned, my personal opinion is that Lyons was a great coach and Chaffins was very good. However, neither of them ever won a district title as head coach. And Robbie Rodes has the distinction of being the only coach in RHS history to go winless in a season, whereupon he subsequently burned all of the school's basketball records. In all seriousness, GB for AD isn't a bad thought at all. Assuming that Rife won't be filling the role, that is.

Huh? "I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability." - R. White, philosopher

[ QUOTE ] I would rather him do it and let me criticize him. That is what may tax dollars go for. Why don't you come and join him and both of you be stand up guys? [/ QUOTE ] Golly, you're right. If for no other reason, since the man is close to independent wealth on the public dole, he warrants this kind of criticism. BTW, I'm betting that your share of his annual salary is probably less than $10. If he gave you a twenty, would that buy your silence for two years?

Gotta be Wildfire Tommy Rich and the Fabulous Freebirds. (Surely I'm not the only person who remembers Georgia Championship Wrestling.)

If it helps to settle things, the folks in my current neck of the woods think that EVERYBODY from west of I-81 is a redneck. So what's the real problem here?

[ QUOTE ] I'm hearing reports that say Donavan McNabb was ill on Sunday, so ill that at one point in the game Freddie Mitchell had to call at least one play in the huddle in the 3rd quarter, due to the fact that McNabb was "almost puking". I'm shocked that there's not a "chunky soup" joke floating around these boards! [/ QUOTE ] He had the flu a couple of years ago when the Iggles played at Jacksonville in the regular season. Yakked on the field a couple of times during that one. Maybe that's been mixed up with his performance this past weekend. Or maybe Jacksonville just makes him sick. It does have that effect on some people.

[ QUOTE ] One thing i knoticed about the virginia tech game last night was that they had 3 quick fouls in the first few minutes. This could cause some propblems down the road against teams that if you make one mistake then your out of it against em' [/ QUOTE ] Most teams will have problems with officiating as one-sided as last night's exhibition. I honestly didn't expect Tech to win, but Duke Edsall and his mates ought to be ashamed of themselves for that performance. BTW, we were talking about football recruiting here.

[ QUOTE ] Two more recruits, Hivera Green and Cordarrow Thompson, committed to Tech today. Green is a huge get because the Hokies went into South Carolina and pulled him away from both Clemson and South Carolina. The Hokies also picked up a commitment from Virginia prospect Greg Boone last Friday. The incoming class next fall is loaded with talent and potential. The future just gets brighter and brighter for Hokie football. [/ QUOTE ] I just hope they can play well with others. This past season in comparison to 2003 was proof enough to me that we can do without some of the "blue chippers."

[ QUOTE ] I think the best remedy for any situation such as Richlands Basketball is to bring a coach from the outside. The politics, favortism, and everything associated with someone currently involved in the program would be eliminated. I realize that other factors dictate who and how a coach can be named, but in the best intrest of the kids and the program, someone needs to give the program a new and exciting look and feel. Someone like Williams at Castlewood would be an excellent choice. Look at other area coaches, who is any better? The SWD used to be loaded with some good coaches, now they are all in the BDD. [/ QUOTE ] The program is definitely way overdue for some fresh air (1982 was a long time ago). I'm just setting my own personal expectations pretty low so as not to be disappointed whenever a successor is named. I'm also hesitant to offer names of other folks whom I considered qualified. Based on my previous experience with Jack Ginn and E&H, that seems to be the kiss of death. That said, Richlands could do a lot worse than yours truly. Although I'm 99% certain that they couldn't afford me because I'd want a contract with Pete Gillen-like terms to start.

[ QUOTE ] I posted a week or so ago that Jodi Fuller might be taking over as head coach next year for the blues, but he won't be able to do it. He's working two jobs and starting his own business so he won't have the time. But I've heard that Jim McGee, who's assistant coach now, will be taking over; he's no Fuller, but he's better than Rife. Remember this is all word-of-mouth though, this could be BS, so don't take it to town. [/ QUOTE ] Jimmy's a good guy. If he is given the reins, I believe that he could do a great job. Whoever winds up taking over needs to give attention to rebuilding the entire program, IMO. One of the reasons that Gate City is so competitive in football is the fact that they develop something of a "farm system" beginning with their midget league. Kids there start learning the varsity's offensive and defensive schemes on a basic level at an early age so they're pretty sound in the fundamentals by the time they're in high school. Richlands basketball had a similar system in place in the 1980's led by visionary assistants like Tom Lucas with buy-in from Coach Blevins and Coach Lyons. It wasn't quite as overt as GC's football strategy, but we did have programs like BCR (Basketball Club of Richlands) and we had opportunities to attend a lot of camps at a young age that prepared us to do well at the varsity level. And in the mean time, our teams won titles at the middle school and JV levels on our way up. One of the things I remember from the good old days was the game program that was produced for basketball back then. It always featured info about all Richlands teams, from 6th grade through varsity, and there was usually a group shot of all the teams together. It strikes me that the programs at the lower age levels are mostly an afterthought now. If the varsity staff took the "Gate City football" approach to the program, things could improve drastically, IMO. Maybe RHS should hire me. I do have an undefeated coaching record (guided my fraternity team to the Rec League playoffs during my senior year at Tech), but I might be willing to risk it for the old alma mater. If the price was right, of course.

[ QUOTE ] those are all good points but there are all those problems in football too and we seem to do just fine and for the fan support problem even though i dont like to think of richlands fans as fair weather fans if we had a good coach than the wins would come and the bleachers would be filled more than the decent crowds we have now with a 2-15 record [/ QUOTE ] I probably should've clarified my post a bit to focus more on attracting outside candidates. In terms of football, RHS hasn't brought in a head coach from outside the program since Dennis Vaught was hired back in 1990. And while I think Greg Mance has proven beyond a doubt that he's the right man for the job, I also know for certain that there wasn't much outside interest in the job when he came on board. (Granted, there were extenuating circumstances involved -- namely the fallout from the conclusion of Vaught's second stint.) The last "outside" hire in basketball occurred in 1982. And even in that case, Reggie Blevins had worked as an assistant at RHS for two seasons previously. Just my opinion, but I think there are several unique circumstances in play with regard to the RHS hoops program that will make it difficult to find a quality successor for Rife. Not saying that as an argument for keeping him as coach, mind you. But I think the situation is very much akin to what Virginia Tech went through with Ricky Stokes. Whenever Rife does leave the position, RHS is probably going to have to take whoever might be interested in the job that they can get. Which might not be a bad thing. Maybe there's a Seth Greenberg out there at the HS level who'd be willing to shake things up in Richlands. Purely my opinion, mind you. I don't think Richlands has fair weather fans at all, and I certainly didn't mean to imply as much. In fact, I think RHS probably has one of the deepest and most loyal fan bases for all athletic programs in the entire region. My mention of expectations is based on my opinion that the fan base has come to expect team that are consistently competitive on an annual basis at a minimum. This expectation is reasonable, IMO, based on experience. However, I do think it also means that any new coach isn't going to be given a long time to rebuild the program. Guys like Tom Chaffin and Lawrence Johnson could definitely back me up on that one.

If Rife does step down, I think Richlands is going to have trouble finding a good replacement for several reasons. The short list is as follows: - Fact that Rife is the AD - Expectations of the fan base - General political climate in the area - General condition of the basketball program - The local economy These are the kinds of factors that will combine to ensure that the next hoops coach at RHS will be hired from within, IMO. And generally speaking, I don't know that many outside folks would consider it to be a desirable job to begin with. A crying shame for those of us who remember how strong the program was overall (from 6th grade through varsity) back in the '80s. If only Reggie Blevins didn't have to move on back in 1985....

[ QUOTE ] I think Sunday's Game in Phily proved the fact that Vick is not an elite qback. His arm is not as strong as it needs to be and his accuracy needs improvement. If Moss were to come to Atlanta, I think his productivity would decrease in the offensive scheme Vick likes to work under. Vick needs to understand the West Coast Offense a little better, this would help his ineffectiveness against a quick defense--like Phily and Tampa Bay. [/ QUOTE ] Obviously Vick isn't affecting the pro game the same way that he did in college, but I don't think arm strength or accuracy are issues for him. I think you're onto something with your comment about the defenses, though. My personal take is that he's still having a hard time adjusting to the speed in the NFL.

I was Player of the Week once. And I won a Nobel Prize for Economics. And I won the Oscar for Best Actor. And I won the Heisman Trophy. My name is Tommy Tuberville. Feel free to come on over and view my trophies (as well as my brand new ring) any time. [On a serious note... Congrats, Dawg.]

[ QUOTE ] Well I wasn't talking about hiring in football. I was mostly talking about girls sports. We hire coaches most of the time that don't even teach. [/ QUOTE ] That makes sense. Since Hubbard's been there since Methusaleh was a child, I wondered where you might be coming from. Boys's hoops coach seems like a good one (and he started out coaching the girls). Then again, I'm probably biased since he is a friend of mine.

Those are some fantastic shots, BigD. Hope you don't mind, but I swiped a few to use as wallpaper on my PC. Also noted some of your comments about the area and your family. My wife's kin to a bunch of folks in that part of Buchanan. Wouldn't be a total shock for me to find out that we're related someway, somehow.

[ QUOTE ] I think Adams will get the job. But Russell Co. is notorious in its bad decisions in hiring coaches (most notably at Honaker), so who knows who will end up getting the job! [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, there are so many people just lined up and waiting to come coach at Honaker. It's a shame that Russell County can't get it right.

[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I went out and bought it tonight The ending still makes me mad when they get beat lol [/ QUOTE ] Hey, thanks a lot buddy. Why don't you tell me other endings of movies I haven't seen yet? lol [/ QUOTE ] Hate to break this to you, but the ship sinks at the end of Titanic.

[ QUOTE ] It's probably not likely that the 8th grade will move up. It's not just the decision of the school board, there are a lot of other high-and-mighties that this has to pass through. Some nation-wide SACS thing, for example. I'm not sure what that stands for but it has to do with colleges. All high school in SACS (including all Tazewell County schools) have already defined the enrollment and grade levels in their schools, so it would be really complicated and a really big hastle to change all that crap and get it straightened out. Besides... it's retarded. [/ QUOTE ] SACS stands for "Southern Association of Colleges and Schools" and is the accrediting agency for all educational institutions in the regions. If such a change were made, chances are good that Tazewell County schools would lose their accreditation. And if that were to happen, I'd feel very sorry for current and future students who would be pursuing education beyond high school.

Iggles vs. the Pats in the Super Bowl this year with McNabb's crew finally taking all the marbles. Unless I'm wrong, of course.

[ QUOTE ] Heard this today from a few teachers and well everyone was talkin about it, but "supposedly", starting next year 8th grade will be in the High school for Tazewell county, or maybee just Richlands but id say Tazewell County. [/ QUOTE ] In a related story, Tazewell County's leadership decreed that it is now, in fact, 1957 and President Eisenhower is "just swell."

[ QUOTE ] No I was just messing when I said it like that, J/K so dont take it to heart. Richlands is very well in this district just need to string the ropes together and pull as a whole with Coach Rife being the anchorman! [/ QUOTE ] I'm totally serious. Since we can't be competitive at a regional level in AA, our scheduling strategy seems to be pursuit of excellence at a smaller classification. I can understand playing a Class A school like Honaker, which is pretty competitive on an annual basis and ensures a good gate. But if RHS is ever going to be competitive in hoops again, there need to be more Marions and (dare I say it) Martinsvilles on the schedule and far fewer Hurleys. Just a thought, mind you.

No problem. After all, RHS will get many more shots at Twin Valley. Hurley, too. For that matter, are the Va. School for the Deaf and Blind and Mountain Mission still fielding varsity teams? If so, the Big Blue Tornado will smash 'em good.

[ QUOTE ] Steve's my cousin and plz keep prayin cause my aunt is takin it like any normal person would,rough. Thanks tho its nice to see ppl care. [/ QUOTE ] Best thoughts heading the way of your family and to the community in general.