tornado99

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.

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.

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.

You brought up an excellent argument about erring on the side of numbers and players developed, besides the competition factor, and that is physical maturity. So many of the early starters or incumbents benefit from early puberty and/or at the middle school level multiplying the benefits by holding back. If I kid is a late bloomer that is fundamentally sound and stays interested, he may end up being the better player senior year than the one in 7th/8th grade.

He’s a great player, but an even better person. His parents have raised him well.

He’s a great player, but an even better person. His parents have raised him well.

Congratulations to those seniors. Good luck to them all.

Despite criticism, under Harris, Tazewell has really developed a culture of hard working kids. I don’t know them personally, but they seem like good kids and community support has grown steadily. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they deserve applause.

Despite criticism, under Harris, Tazewell has really developed a culture of hard working kids. I don’t know them personally, but they seem like good kids and community support has grown steadily. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they deserve applause.

Despite criticism, under Harris, Tazewell has really developed a culture of hard working kids. I don’t know them personally, but they seem like good kids and community support has grown steadily. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they deserve applause.

I don’t know if this is or ever has been their MO, but I like this idea. He does give them a physical presence if the OL can move the LOS.

Despite criticism, under Harris, Tazewell has really developed a culture of hard working kids. I don’t know them personally, but they seem like good kids and community support has grown steadily. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they deserve applause.

Despite criticism, under Harris, Tazewell has really developed a culture of hard working kids. I don’t know them personally, but they seem like good kids and community support has grown steadily. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they deserve applause.

Despite criticism, under Harris, Tazewell has really developed a culture of hard working kids. I don’t know them personally, but they seem like good kids and community support has grown steadily. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they deserve applause.

Despite criticism, under Harris, Tazewell has really developed a culture of hard working kids. I don’t know them personally, but they seem like good kids and community support has grown steadily. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they deserve applause.

I don’t know if this is or ever has been their MO, but I like this idea. He does give them a physical presence if the OL can move the LOS.

I probably echo Gridiron 60 when it comes to rooting allegiance, Richlands>Tazewell >Graham>Region D, although we differ in Tazewell County order. I’ll admit besides the occasional underdog story, I find myself rooting for Union afterward simply due admiration and tradition. Besides Graham, and occasionally Ridgeview/Gate City being exceptions, there is definitely some basis to the stereotype of Union and their fans’ belief of their physicality. Over the years, I think that belief gives them the edge over most teams that are even talent wise. 
During the Mance years, I spoke with a coach who said the main difference with the kids was that they “expected to win.” 
I think that applies to Union in most games throughout the years. I buy into the belief that Union is more physical than most teams based upon my observation over time.

I can see the offensive linemen enjoying running the T. I enjoy seeing it myself. I think in that case, the best athletes are running backs instead of WR. They are sharing carries the same way as the WRs share the hall with the QB spreading it around. I think this is somewhere between the pass happy spread offense and a smash mouth I/Power I where the happiest are the OL and the TB getting continuous carries.
Yes, Union is an anomaly.

I may have the wrong impression, and I acknowledge the growth into possibly having both now. However, I believe when Palmer was hired, he embodied the leadership and community support part. I credit the scheming part initially to having great assistants. My opinion was that Mance was able to out coach Graham initially at a time when Graham was getting arguably better athletes. Let’s face it, even before the leverage of the transfer portal, there have been more college caliber athletes coming from the greater Bluefield area. Not only has the talent disparity widened, it is no coincidence that D. Palmer and other coaches have helped immensely on scheme and preparation. I don’t have knowledge specifically of the other coaching staff or longevity, but I know likely that Isabelle and Horton (not meaning others don’t), know football and strength and conditioning. Tony Palmer hasn’t had to be every where and everything. He has wisely delegated and improved by learning from the experience of his staff. Now success continues to breed success as athletes wanting to win continue to deepen the talent pool.

Good luck to you. My experience in growing up was similar to yours in both little league and school, but 1/2 or so of mine did not have kids on the team. 

Over my lifetime, my observation is that coaching careers are generally shorter. Some areas are more successful in regards to wins and losses than others for a variety of reasons. Those expectations likely increase the amount of stress leading to those shorter careers. I know the values are not mutually exclusive, (striving to win helps instill many virtues), but I’m curious how much the experience and reasons vary from community to community. For example, how different is the prevailing reason for coaches in powerhouses versus the average community with little hopes for state titles? Why do you do it?
If any posters are current or former coaches, thank you for your service to your communities regardless of the answers.
 
(This may be a good question for ATW, as the hosts all coached at smaller schools.)

Over my lifetime, my observation is that coaching careers are generally shorter. Some areas are more successful in regards to wins and losses than others for a variety of reasons. Those expectations likely increase the amount of stress leading to those shorter careers. I know the values are not mutually exclusive, (striving to win helps instill many virtues), but I’m curious how much the experience and reasons vary from community to community. For example, how different is the prevailing reason for coaches in powerhouses versus the average community with little hopes for state titles? Why do you do it?
If any posters are current or former coaches, thank you for your service to your communities regardless of the answers.
 
(This may be a good question for ATW, as the hosts all coached at smaller schools.)

I may have the wrong impression, and I acknowledge the growth into possibly having both now. However, I believe when Palmer was hired, he embodied the leadership and community support part. I credit the scheming part initially to having great assistants. My opinion was that Mance was able to out coach Graham initially at a time when Graham was getting arguably better athletes. Let’s face it, even before the leverage of the transfer portal, there have been more college caliber athletes coming from the greater Bluefield area. Not only has the talent disparity widened, it is no coincidence that D. Palmer and other coaches have helped immensely on scheme and preparation. I don’t have knowledge specifically of the other coaching staff or longevity, but I know likely that Isabelle and Horton (not meaning others don’t), know football and strength and conditioning. Tony Palmer hasn’t had to be every where and everything. He has wisely delegated and improved by learning from the experience of his staff. Now success continues to breed success as athletes wanting to win continue to deepen the talent pool.

I may have the wrong impression, and I acknowledge the growth into possibly having both now. However, I believe when Palmer was hired, he embodied the leadership and community support part. I credit the scheming part initially to having great assistants. My opinion was that Mance was able to out coach Graham initially at a time when Graham was getting arguably better athletes. Let’s face it, even before the leverage of the transfer portal, there have been more college caliber athletes coming from the greater Bluefield area. Not only has the talent disparity widened, it is no coincidence that D. Palmer and other coaches have helped immensely on scheme and preparation. I don’t have knowledge specifically of the other coaching staff or longevity, but I know likely that Isabelle and Horton (not meaning others don’t), know football and strength and conditioning. Tony Palmer hasn’t had to be every where and everything. He has wisely delegated and improved by learning from the experience of his staff. Now success continues to breed success as athletes wanting to win continue to deepen the talent pool.

It’s amazing how well the Titans have done since Warner’s arrival. That and Hurley with Tester at the helm a few years ago, are some of the best examples of doing a lot with few resources.