tornado99

I think that’s a very reasonable prediction below. I think there’s some good talent in this year’s sophomore class, that will be seniors in 2 years of steady progress.

Amen to that. Well said. My rationale from the previous post is based upon speculation (I have no factual information, other than the head coach.), and the common pattern seen in recent years leading to success. Right head coach leads to increase in talent, leading to more wins, leading to more talent (both homegrown and transfers), which sometimes bleeds into other sports. If I am not mistaken, much of the skill position type talent in both sports have Mount View, Bluefield, and Princeton roots. Based upon most speculation in the posts, the prediction may not be too far fetched.

I think it’s just fun to speculate. It’s not saying much, but I believe marked improvement is a reasonable expectation. Just the fact that there seems to be excitement is already a positive sign. I, for one , expect good things, but I know it will be a process over more than one season. The right personnel is a big step in the right direction. I don’t know the timeline, but it took Tony Palmer a few years, Division 1 athletes, and additions to staff and players that created the monster they are now in a couple of sports. Not casting stones, but for comparison sake and the picture of Graham now, what percentage of players on football and basketball teams came from GMS? It seems like a blueprint that works although sometimes geography caps the potential.

Amen. Well said.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Any updates that anyone can share or at least hints for us to speculate?

Just measurables such as size and speed. I believe the accolades on offense was earned. Defense was a different story. The individual did indeed have a good college career compared to his peers, but the DPOY in my opinion should have gone to the more consistent teammate. I don’t have access to the statistics, so I couldn’t verify numbers for comparison, but certainly games played and snaps on defense.

I can’t give many concrete examples, but I do know that potential is more important than production when it comes to recruiting. I know, especially with linemen, the biggest kids get looks because you can’t teach size. I know several years I have witnessed the best lineman on the teams I have watched and/or played with we’re not the biggest nor got the attention. I also remember a particular year on the Blues when a particular player was awarded postseason accolades for defensive play based upon size and speed, even though he was only used sparingly, missing games, and was well behind one of his teammates in tackles. Just my two cents, not discounting the other examples.

I’m not disagreeing, not making that assumption. Power and influence can and often does come from a variety of areas, not just position. It usually, but not always corresponds with money. I think the thing we all can agree on is hiring and retention decisions depends upon being on the right side, right or wrong. When decisions like that are made, there is never a way to really prove it. It seems individual sports where positions are earned on the mat or court are one of the few places where it can be proven. Right now, hope for improvement is all we have. My opinion doesn’t matter, since I don’t hire, but I believe that we see appreciable improvement. There’s no where to go, but up.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

In all honesty, initially you have to be a yes man to accept any position or get an opportunity. It’s only when, you receive an inordinate level of success that you are somewhat insulated, although not invulnerable. Those hired, basically have to be on the side of decision makers in power. When power changes, all bets are off. Look around. In recent years, there are numerous examples of turnover allegedly due to being on the wrong side. Examples in my opinion include most Richlands sports, Tazewell basketball and baseball post-Lou Peery, and possibly Ridgeview according to other posters. I don’t know if anyone really has concrete examples without bringing up former players, but those decisions are essentially popularity contests. Mediocre or bad results are often the results in the absence of a tremendous amount of talent. I imagine coaches making decisions are not obviously favoring connections over talent, but rather the tie goes to the best connection. It’s not how it should be, but I would argue that it is this way in almost every school system or organization.

Thanks for that insight. I’m sure most are legitimate. I think primarily about stories such as Rich Probst scandals where money, cars, apartments are exchanged, “sham separations/divorces” as extremes. I’m sure it happens away from here, or maybe just sensationalized.

So, when it comes to recruiting staff and players (hallways and outside), where do you draw the line, ethically speaking? Is it whatever it takes? I’ll throw out my hypothetical, but admittedly in an NIL world it is complicated. I’m in favor of bringing in staff and whatever comes with it. I couldn’t/didn’t blame the Honaker transfers. It’s just an extra benefit with the hire. My major discomfort probably comes from other promises exchanged, monetary gifts, or “fake” residency. If a parent or athlete wants to make a decision to relocate for greater opportunities, I’ve grown to accept it and understand. The Friday Night Lights Buddy Garrity mailbox, is too blatant of attempt to skirt the rules. What say you all? (Opinions, no judgment). (I also heard stories of Olin recruiting employees for recruiting purposes.)

This is where Ronnie Davis has a leg up, in my opinion. I’m sure he has knowledge on his own, and it helps being a part of two of the strongest coaching staffs in the area throughout his career. I know we like to poke fun of Union’s backpack crew, but what we sometimes overlook are the volunteers doing the other tasks (water, food, IT, trainers, equipment, etc.) so that the main staff can concentrate on coaching and teaching football.

How good is Radford as a program? It seems they have been consistently good the last several years. They have some advantages with the local economy and the student body close to the school since it’s a city school. Has it been simply a good run of athletes or do they continue to produce talent. They have had exceptional talent at QB and skill positions.

So for those positions on staff, if not a “Richlands guy”, what positives does coming on board offer comparative to other situations? I’ll start: 1. No where to go, but up from 0-10. 2. Likely better resources than most smaller schools. (Potential talent due to enrollment, facilities due to prior successes and donations)

It’s really easy to exchange talent whether in middle school or high school as soon as you see the writing on the wall, whether coaching, talent, or both.

I have no clue recently. Throughout a longer time period, my perception was it was very common to move between the two.

I don’t have any inside track, but my position is “it is, what it is”. I don’t particularly like how commonplace the practice is at this time, but realize that is how things are nowadays. I have stated that I don’t begrudge a parent trying to do what is in the best interest of their child whether I agree with it or not. I think we all can agree, in the short term, it helps. I guess to sum it up, with any school, I have learned to accept it. It bothers me more when it leads to too large of a competition imbalance.

I know you’re responding to the other quote, but my issues are based upon an inability to differentiate between the two. The state line and family on each side makes transfers much easier to move to whoever has the hot hand. I only concentrate on Graham due to the competition. I’m rooting for the G-men over their West Virginia rivals. Admittedly, some jealousy of success is the primary motive. I still stand by the advantages stated earlier as the primary reasons for that success. Still, good luck to Dennis Palmer and to the G-men when playing someone outside Tazewell County.

Congratulations! Agreed. I’m excited to see this for myself.

I’ll stick to this area, since I will support anyone against those outside. It’s gotten complicated since I root for Dennis Palmer’s success, but otherwise it would be Graham. Some of the reasons, exclusive to football, are all of the advantages of local talent in the immediate area close to the school. ( The only disadvantage is enrollment. ) Much of that is enhanced by recruiting/exchanges with Bluefield/WV. They were the SWD team to beat during my high school years and shortly after. Thankfully, we got them my senior year. Most schools have not had multiple D-1/D2 caliber players consistently available. No disrespect directed toward the late, great Glynn Carlock or Tony Palmer, but it seems they usually start with a leg up in the available talent department. Before someone references the pot calling the kettle black, I am not an advocate of actively recruiting if or when Richlands benefited from the practices and understand parents who intend to move their child to a better place. I’ll use the reference of 2004-2008 to prove success is possible without the practice.

Just chiming in, but I am not aware Ronnie Davis ever being given the opportunity to be a head coach for there to be a comparison. To my knowledge, he has been very successful as a head softball coach. Boy’s basketball has been very challenging in recent years, so I’m not qualified to have an accurate opinion. Based upon my experience, he knows football and benefits greatly from his past experience at RHS and exchange of knowledge with his peers. I’m sure he’s also picked up some insights from his brief time at GHS. I don’t know enough details that other posters mentioned; however, I would counter based upon the past as a combination of career advancement and negative circumstances beyond his control. Let’s face it, as mentioned earlier, sometimes the other part of the relationship has other plans. I’d venture (results pending) if given a head coaching position or not forced to change, he would likely still be a head coach at RHS in either football or softball. Just my opinion, with little details available.

Congratulations, Galax!

Congratulations Bobcats!