Hot Seat Coaches

[Football is Cool]

Locally I know we do not see many if any coaches truly fired… what coaches do you think need to have a good year to maintain job security? 

[Widespread_Panic]

I don't believe hot seats exist in SWVA due to the lack of applicants for coaching jobs these days but if they did I'd put Wise Central, J.I. Burton, and Gate City at the top of the list. 

[tornado99]

With the exceptions of Turner and Palmer, there isn’t very many long- tenured coaches either. How many of the short stints of recent years, really been hot seat situations? The profession has changed so much the pressures of coaching can explain the lack of both visible hot seats (resign or be fired) and lack of qualified applicants.

[Jags52]

6 hours ago, Widespread_Panic said:

I don't believe hot seats exist in SWVA due to the lack of applicants for coaching jobs these days but if they did I'd put Wise Central, J.I. Burton, and Gate City at the top of the list. 

I had heard the kids were not liking the coach at Wise and may not play and/or transfer but it’s the guys 2nd year let him work. I know J.I. Burton has been down so that tracks but honestly I don’t understand Gate city made the playoffs the last 3 years and won a game 2 of those years

[SwvaOG]

3 hours ago, Jags52 said:

I had heard the kids were not liking the coach at Wise and may not play and/or transfer but it’s the guys 2nd year let him work. I know J.I. Burton has been down so that tracks but honestly I don’t understand Gate city made the playoffs the last 3 years and won a game 2 of those years

I understand your Gate City apprehension but I’ll give you something to consider. They consistently rank as the 4th best team in a 7 team district.  Additionally, I could be wrong but I don’t think they have won a M7 title yet, either.  That might warrant at least a warm seat.

[gchs791]

these things should open some eyes in gate city. they have been subpar since colobro left.

there is some local options that could change that. robby noris

[Widespread_Panic]

12 hours ago, Jags52 said:

 I know J.I. Burton has been down so that tracks but honestly I don’t understand Gate city made the playoffs the last 3 years and won a game 2 of those years

Gate City seems to have stagnated under Houseright. I didn't see a huge improvement in year 3 and their numbers haven't been much better. 

[SwvaOG]

19 hours ago, tornado99 said:

With the exceptions of Turner and Palmer, there isn’t very many long- tenured coaches either. How many of the short stints of recent years, really been hot seat situations? The profession has changed so much the pressures of coaching can explain the lack of both visible hot seats (resign or be fired) and lack of qualified applicants.

Hmmm......positive correlation with the most tenured coaches also being the two most sound programs?

[1inStripes]

1 hour ago, Widespread_Panic said:

Gate City seems to have stagnated under Houseright. I didn't see a huge improvement in year 3 and their numbers haven't been much better. 

GC lost quite a bit from the year before.  This year GC should be an improvement as the line should be stronger if I remember correctly.

[Jags52]

11 hours ago, 1inStripes said:

GC lost quite a bit from the year before.  This year GC should be an improvement as the line should be stronger if I remember correctly.

They did and I feel like they still put a respectable team on the field considering how young they were. 

[goose111874]

On 4/25/2025 at 9:12 AM, 1inStripes said:

GC lost quite a bit from the year before.  This year GC should be an improvement as the line should be stronger if I remember correctly.

They definitely looked better last season than the previous season.  Definitely need to figure out the qb situation though 

[onewarrior2]

On 4/24/2025 at 7:40 PM, Jags52 said:

I had heard the kids were not liking the coach at Wise and may not play and/or transfer but it’s the guys 2nd year let him work. I know J.I. Burton has been down so that tracks but honestly I don’t understand Gate city made the playoffs the last 3 years and won a game 2 of those years

My kid likes him just fine, as well as the other few that are actually in the weight room and conditioning after school to improve themselves. 

There are several who haven’t touched a weight this off season and I’m betting they’re the ones that don’t “like” him. They don’t like him because he is making them work? Isn’t that the point?

[Gridiron60]

22 hours ago, onewarrior2 said:

My kid likes him just fine, as well as the other few that are actually in the weight room and conditioning after school to improve themselves. 

There are several who haven’t touched a weight this off season and I’m betting they’re the ones that don’t “like” him. They don’t like him because he is making them work? Isn’t that the point?

Kids that don’t want to work are always the ones who dislike the coaches that have expectations. 

[gchs791]

On 4/25/2025 at 9:12 AM, 1inStripes said:

GC lost quite a bit from the year before.  This year GC should be an improvement as the line should be stronger if I remember correctly.

if there is not a big change this year gate city needs to make a major change.

[SwvaOG]

16 hours ago, Gridiron60 said:

Kids that don’t want to work are always the ones who dislike the coaches that have expectations. 

Agree.  But those coaches who can make it seem like its not work are the truly rare ones.

[Gridiron60]

11 hours ago, SwvaOG said:

Agree.  But those coaches who can make it seem like its not work are the truly rare ones.

Very true…not a lot of those around

[S10SQUAREBODY4LIFE]

Great little thing the 80s taught us and it still applies: Get your ticket early because it'll cost much more if you wait until the last minute. 

[MMcMahon26]

Mountain Empire may not be done this cycle.

[swvafbrespect]

Do say?

[Football is Cool]

On 5/7/2025 at 8:05 PM, swvafbrespect said:

Do say?

Fort Chiswell has an opening evidently..