Warriors_XO 214 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Published: March 16, 2011 Home / sports / football / high_school_prep / Bearcats' Thurman submits resignation By BHC Sports Desk Chris Thurman came to Virginia High with an extensive resume as an offensive guru and state champion. After two seasons and a 10-10 record, that run appears to be over. “He submitted his resignation today,†said VHS Athletic Director Barry Reed on Tuesday. Reed, however, would not comment on the coaching change or job search until the school board approved Thurman’s resignation at its next meeting. The Daily News Record in Harrisonburg, Va., reported on its website late Tuesday that Thurman, who went to college at James Madison University, had accepted the job at Harrisonburg High School. “He was an outstanding candidate,†HHS athletic director Joe Carico said. “He's been a very successful assistant coach. He’s been a very successful head coach.†Thurman could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. The Harrisonburg job opened with the resignation of longtime coach Tim Sarver after the 2010 season. Sarver compiled a 277-129-2 record in 26 seasons at Harrisonburg. In two seasons at Virginia High, Thurman led the Bearcats to a .500 record after a successful run at Gretna High School. In four seasons at the Central Virginia school he compiled a 47-4 record that included two Group A, Division 2 state titles. Virginia High averaged 34 points per game with its fast-paced spread offense in 2009, but missed out on a Group A, Division 2 playoff bid on the final night of the season. The Bearcats generated 27 points per game this past season but missed the playoffs again, dropping their final three games. In November, Thurman quelled rumors over his job status by announcing that he had no plans to step down as coach at Virginia High. Since the modern Virginia High School League playoff system was established in 1970, VHS has advanced to the playoffs 10 times. Harrisonburg advanced to the Group AA, Division 4 title game this past season at Liberty University with a 13-1 record. The Blue Streaks, who featured highly-touted senior running back Michael Holmes, dropped a 41-21 decision to Ashburn-based Briar Woods in the championship. The Blue Streaks have made 23 appearances in the state playoffs, with eight semifinal berths and one championship. Harrisonburg defeated Graham for the Division 3 state title in 2001. The Blue Streaks also advanced to the state finals in 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance 228 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Had the chance to talk with Coach Thurman at the FCA All Star game and ask him about a few things...nice guy...wish him the best of luck where ever he goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtiger 1,742 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Just looking for everyones opnions but is he really as good of a coach as his record looks? Or is his success a product of great talent? Not trying to degrade the guy or anything like that just wondering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 I think it is a combination of the two. I think he is a good coach but everyone knows it's real tough without jimmy's and joe's. What he went 47-4 and two state championships and then came to VHS and forgot how to coach? I don't think so. Same with Colobro. He didn't forget how to coach once he got across the tennessee line. You just do the best with what you have, however I have witnessed some "coaches" really mess up some good talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance 228 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Just looking for everyones opnions but is he really as good of a coach as his record looks? Or is his success a product of great talent? Not trying to degrade the guy or anything like that just wondering his hands were tied at VHS...he didn't say anything negative when I asked him about coaching at VHS, but I could tell he was very frustrated...so I knew it wouldn't be long before this happened...just was not a good fit...he knew it, so he moved on. Coaching at VHS is a revolving door for a reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigrhsfan 884 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Anybody have any ideas on who may replace him ? I know he just left but was just wondering if anybody has heard anything or had any ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coacher 10 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 his hands were tied at VHS...he didn't say anything negative when I asked him about coaching at VHS, but I could tell he was very frustrated...so I knew it wouldn't be long before this happened...just was not a good fit...he knew it, so he moved on. Coaching at VHS is a revolving door for a reason. Another coaching "Black Hole". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frontierman95 10 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Yeah like that guy at Pound a few years ago. They came to PH with a huge team a couple of years ago. They looked like they borrowed some of UVA Wise's kids. They stood at the 50 yard line like the Miami Hurricanes and taunted PH. Shortly after they proceeded to get blasted. Oh yeah they also wore their home jerseys at an away game. Thought that was pretty funny. Is this an example of how coaches can waste talent? I think it is a combination of the two. I think he is a good coach but everyone knows it's real tough without jimmy's and joe's. What he went 47-4 and two state championships and then came to VHS and forgot how to coach? I don't think so. Same with Colobro. He didn't forget how to coach once he got across the tennessee line. You just do the best with what you have, however I have witnessed some "coaches" really mess up some good talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Yeah like that guy at Pound a few years ago. They came to PH with a huge team a couple of years ago. They looked like they borrowed some of UVA Wise's kids. They stood at the 50 yard line like the Miami Hurricanes and taunted PH. Shortly after they proceeded to get blasted. Oh yeah they also wore their home jerseys at an away game. Thought that was pretty funny. Is this an example of how coaches can waste talent? Absolutely. I agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacker 82 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Anybody have any ideas on who may replace him ? I know he just left but was just wondering if anybody has heard anything or had any ideas. Will Doug Marrs try again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 I have heard BI Salyers name come up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtiger 1,742 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Rumor is BI wants off of the reservation, so maybe It just seems to me that Thurmans offensive approach lends itself to having alot of talent, he does get the most out of that talent. VHS had some really good players it just never seemed to come together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Rumor is BI wants off of the reservation, so maybe It just seems to me that Thurmans offensive approach lends itself to having alot of talent, he does get the most out of that talent. VHS had some really good players it just never seemed to come together Thurman is def. going to a good pool of talent in H-burg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPF 417 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Will Doug Marrs try again? That would solve a lot of problems for him....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdawg 68 10 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Steve Wright of Marion will probably be the next VHS coach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavdaddy 25 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 (edited) Yeah like that guy at Pound a few years ago. They came to PH with a huge team a couple of years ago. They looked like they borrowed some of UVA Wise's kids. They stood at the 50 yard line like the Miami Hurricanes and taunted PH. Shortly after they proceeded to get blasted. Oh yeah they also wore their home jerseys at an away game. Thought that was pretty funny. Is this an example of how coaches can waste talent? Pound has had athletes but poor coaching, again thats why i'm critical of the hire at ph, just don't know how much coaching goes on over there, but they did try to get Mcpherson first so I cant be too critical. Think Mcpherson just didn't see a future there. Edited March 18, 2011 by cavdaddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconfan1 125 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 I think that Steve Wright would be a good fit for the Battle job. Isn't he an alum of VA High? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Pound has had athletes but poor coaching, again thats why i'm critical of the hire at ph, just don't know how much coaching goes on over there, but they did try to get Mcpherson first so I cant be too critical. Think Mcpherson just didn't see a future there. Pound has had some of the best athletes in High School football history. NFL talent. Just ask the community and the parents. They will tell you. Should have won 10 state championships by now. 25 coaches in 60 years proves it's bad coaching. Only thing worse than a pound parent with an NFL quality p-nut football player is a bad coach at pound. Only one thing worse than that is a bad referree from Holston. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtiger 1,742 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 The sad thing is Pound has had size on the line and talent in the backfield. The problem is they have a football team and not a program, the weightlifting program is pitiful if not nonexistent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconfan1 125 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Yeah like that guy at Pound a few years ago. They came to PH with a huge team a couple of years ago. They looked like they borrowed some of UVA Wise's kids. They stood at the 50 yard line like the Miami Hurricanes and taunted PH. Shortly after they proceeded to get blasted. Oh yeah they also wore their home jerseys at an away game. Thought that was pretty funny. Is this an example of how coaches can waste talent? I was wondering...who was the head coach at Pound that year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 The sad thing is Pound has had size on the line and talent in the backfield. The problem is they have a football team and not a program, the weightlifting program is pitiful if not nonexistent. Pound is a Cumberland district team playing in the LPD. Aint' gonna work. Doesn't really matter. They will be closed after this year. To get back to the topic, reckon who will try to take on VHS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtiger 1,742 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 I dont mean that LB should win the LPD but Kelly, PV and Appy havent been world beaters and Pound couldnt compete. Pound should have really moved to the Cumberland or the BDD, but like you said it wont matter after this year. I dont think the VHS job is a bad one, lots of talent to work with, very possible for them to be competitive in the CMD every year and occasionally win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 I dont mean that LB should win the LPD but Kelly, PV and Appy havent been world beaters and Pound couldnt compete. Pound should have really moved to the Cumberland or the BDD, but like you said it wont matter after this year. I dont think the VHS job is a bad one, lots of talent to work with, very possible for them to be competitive in the CMD every year and occasionally win I heard BI Salyers may want to stay put. I agree, I think they have some good kids there. The main thing is that they need someone to come in and stay for a while. SOmetimes that is hard to do when you take in consideration all the other factors involved. They need some consistency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtiger 1,742 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 If they could get a coach to stay around for 5-6 years they could be successful, but it is a hard situation at LB but not impossible. Last I heard BI was looking for a change of scenery but thats been a few months ago. With WC consolidation the JJK/Pound school could be pretty good in football. The Balthis kid from LB last season was a very good RB but didnt have alot around him. Doensnt LB have another good RB, maybe a Fresh or Soph? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriors_XO 214 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 If they could get a coach to stay around for 5-6 years they could be successful, but it is a hard situation at LB but not impossible. Last I heard BI was looking for a change of scenery but thats been a few months ago. With WC consolidation the JJK/Pound school could be pretty good in football. The Balthis kid from LB last season was a very good RB but didnt have alot around him. Doensnt LB have another good RB, maybe a Fresh or Soph? Yeah the Collins kid. Pound's best players for the last 5 years or so have been playing at clintwood norton wise and powell valley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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