tornado99

I think this is a fair point. 
Baseball is certainly favored in this area per tradition and some personal preferences, but I certainly concede that soccer skills and conditioning are certainly more transferable to not only football, but other areas of health and every day life. 
Just my opinion, but I think my RB and WRs benefit from the sprints and cutting while playing soccer more than running the bases 3-4 times per game and/or tracking down a handful of fly balls in the outfield.

Call me sentimental, but I miss the grass field. 
Now, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for upkeep, but I wholeheartedly believe that natural grass results in fewer injuries. I occasionally miss the dealing with the elements when a team that relies on power suddenly has an advantage when it comes to rain, snow, and mud.

Call me sentimental, but I miss the grass field. 
Now, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for upkeep, but I wholeheartedly believe that natural grass results in fewer injuries. I occasionally miss the dealing with the elements when a team that relies on power suddenly has an advantage when it comes to rain, snow, and mud.

Call me sentimental, but I miss the grass field. 
Now, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for upkeep, but I wholeheartedly believe that natural grass results in fewer injuries. I occasionally miss the dealing with the elements when a team that relies on power suddenly has an advantage when it comes to rain, snow, and mud.

I don’t know the specifics, but reclassification really makes Princeton an attractive destination. Now, it becomes significantly easier to win a state title at Princeton than even Graham. 
Under the new realignment, Princeton becomes the 5th largest of 30 schools to compete for a state title. Graham is one of the smallest schools out of nearly 50 to win a title in Virginia.
Graham has likely benefited from their neighbors’ misfortunes, partly due to Princeton’s enrollment and lack of success. Princeton has recently enjoyed an impressive record in recent years, but just couldn’t overcome much larger schools. Now, Princeton is sort of a big fish in a small pond now with some good talent to draw in the greater Mercer/McDowell/Tazewell County areas.
See the Honaker location in another thread for a good comparison.
Richlands and Lebanon misfortune (both record and Lebanon’s move up in classification) helps contribute to this other group of Tigers success in Class 1.
 

I think most in that age range are more wary of the required time commitment, combined with unrealistic expectations, and lack of security nowadays. If you want to raise a family, it’s much tougher now than in yesteryear. The stress and sacrifices are much greater with little increase in pay.

I remember he played for them, and maybe Duck Riley?

This reminds me of the Northfork, WV dynamic in WV before consolidation with their basketball dynasty. They even had a football state title during that era.

Sounds like a plan. My prediction is based upon what I think, is that he stays put. I haven’t talked to him in a while, but it’s not so easy to pick up and move when you have a family to think about, even when other family is involved. Hypothetically, if a choice is to be made between spouse and child vs parent or sibling, it’s wise to choose the former. I continue to wish him success in retirement no matter what he chooses. I would happily welcome him with open arms if he chooses to return.

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. 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. 
 

Sounds like a plan. My prediction is based upon what I think, is that he stays put. I haven’t talked to him in a while, but it’s not so easy to pick up and move when you have a family to think about, even when other family is involved. Hypothetically, if a choice is to be made between spouse and child vs parent or sibling, it’s wise to choose the former. I continue to wish him success in retirement no matter what he chooses. I would happily welcome him with open arms if he chooses to return.

This^^^^. It applies to both coaching fit and athletic talent that resides in the area.

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.

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. 

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.
 

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.
 

I would look to someone to first, and foremost, instill values of discipline, hard work, and teamwork. 
Next, I am looking for a strategic decision maker. 
 
Those coaches/candidates are certainly out there and may have applied. It’s going to take a good staff working together. 

I don’t know about that. No one ever explained the staff turnover and results of the second tenure. 
I’m not inferring anything, but reputation is important and more so than wins. Hypothetically, what am I teaching my children about life lessons if I knowingly choose to select a leader who (like it or not) brought a level of disgrace? 
If possible, based upon the information available, I am choosing the person that does things the right way AND the results translate into wins. 

I would look to someone to first, and foremost, instill values of discipline, hard work, and teamwork. 
Next, I am looking for a strategic decision maker. 
 
Those coaches/candidates are certainly out there and may have applied. It’s going to take a good staff working together. 

I don’t know about that. No one ever explained the staff turnover and results of the second tenure. 
I’m not inferring anything, but reputation is important and more so than wins. Hypothetically, what am I teaching my children about life lessons if I knowingly choose to select a leader who (like it or not) brought a level of disgrace? 
If possible, based upon the information available, I am choosing the person that does things the right way AND the results translate into wins. 

I would look to someone to first, and foremost, instill values of discipline, hard work, and teamwork. 
Next, I am looking for a strategic decision maker. 
 
Those coaches/candidates are certainly out there and may have applied. It’s going to take a good staff working together. 

That’s what I was talking thinking, myself. No intended knock.

I certain that this isn’t an option being discussed. Like sixcat, the mention spurred me to look back as well. 
I am still curious about the staff though. Maybe, it was disassociation with the past? Maybe, he was tough to work for or with? Regardless, a few of those assistants who did not come back joined Coach Mance when we was hired as successor.

I appreciate this perspective, and long for those times. Mine was somewhat different, but no less impactful. There were 5 teams: Richlands Green Wave, Richlands Redskins, Raven Crimson Tide, Cedar Bluff Blue Devils, and Baptist Valley Tigers. I was a Green Wave. Our coaches were young guys that were recent graduates. Chris Grinstead, Kelly Grinstead, and Scott Bumgarner. They taught fundamentals, and discipline. The biggest impact for me was it being an important part of a greater relationship. I learned the Lord’s Prayer, not in church, but as a result of those games or practices where it was recited, and I was embarrassed for not knowing it initially.
Some coaches probably never realize the impact made off the field.