Seth Padgett Out at Tazewell

[tornado99]

15 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

A head coach can’t be too successful without a strong supporting cast. Both programs mentioned have some very strong assistants who helped propel the building of the program into success especially at Graham. Three state championships since 2018 is impressive. I just can’t figure out why they don’t get higher participation numbers. Last year, they couldn’t even finish JV schedule and heard they probably won’t have JV next season. 

I honestly think the issue is related to commitment and participation all over. Graham is blessed with several top tier athletes compared to most schools in our coverage area. My presumption is that there is very little numbers competing for positions because they are already obvious and predetermined. The writing is already on the wall. The student body knows who already has the inherent ability and/or knows that the talent comes in and takes vacant spots. (I think this may have been an unintended consequence of what may have happened at Richlands among others when the well began to dry up. The numbers began to drop along with the wins.)

I do think the coaches make good decisions and have success which breeds further success. I’m not buying that the success is due to working harder than everyone else or a superior culture. I think they established a winning culture and are really blessed with a handful of good athletes annually. 

[Real Sasquatch]

1 hour ago, Gridiron60 said:

A head coach can’t be too successful without a strong supporting cast. Both programs mentioned have some very strong assistants who helped propel the building of the program into success especially at Graham. Three state championships since 2018 is impressive. I just can’t figure out why they don’t get higher participation numbers. Last year, they couldn’t even finish JV schedule and heard they probably won’t have JV next season. 

Mike Horton was a big part of that success.  I hope the Graham assistants learned a lot from him in the weight room.  He is at Bluefield now.  You can count on one thing, those Bluefield boys will be in top notch condition with Horton on the staff.  I'm sure Graham will be in good condition too, but Horton is a personal trainer and knows how to get the most out of athletes.  

I look for Bluefield to be one of the area's top teams, if not the top as long as he is on the staff.  I expect Bluefield to be reminiscent of the Bluefield teams of the not too distant past. 

Padgett was supposed to be big on conditioning too. 

[Gridiron60]

5 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

Mike Horton was a big part of that success.  I hope the Graham assistants learned a lot from him in the weight room.  He is at Bluefield now.  You can count on one thing, those Bluefield boys will be in top notch condition with Horton on the staff.  I'm sure Graham will be in good condition too, but Horton is a personal trainer and knows how to get the most out of athletes.  

I look for Bluefield to be one of the area's top teams, if not the top as long as he is on the staff.  I expect Bluefield to be reminiscent of the Bluefield teams of the not too distant past. 

Padgett was supposed to be big on conditioning too. 

I think Graham will be fine as far as strength and conditioning. From what I’ve heard they’ve been hitting it hard and heavy and in good hands I’m sure. They were fine when Big Mike left for Bluefield before. They’ll be fine this time. A program doesn’t have to post multiple videos a week from S & C to prove they’re working. The proof will show up on the field.

Big Mike is a great motivator and breeds enthusiasm. Hopefully, Bluefield decides to keep him this time around. I look for the Beavers to take the state championship easily but we’ll see. They probably would have taken it last year if those three players hadn’t transferred to Princeton. 

[Real Sasquatch]

2 hours ago, Gridiron60 said:

I think Graham will be fine as far as strength and conditioning. From what I’ve heard they’ve been hitting it hard and heavy and in good hands I’m sure. They were fine when Big Mike left for Bluefield before. They’ll be fine this time. A program doesn’t have to post multiple videos a week from S & C to prove they’re working. The proof will show up on the field.

Big Mike is a great motivator and breeds enthusiasm. Hopefully, Bluefield decides to keep him this time around. I look forward to the Beavers to take the state championship easily but we’ll see. They probably would have taken it last year if those three players hadn’t transferred to Princeton. 

Agree.  

[tornado99]

3 hours ago, Gridiron60 said:

I think Graham will be fine as far as strength and conditioning. From what I’ve heard they’ve been hitting it hard and heavy and in good hands I’m sure. They were fine when Big Mike left for Bluefield before. They’ll be fine this time. A program doesn’t have to post multiple videos a week from S & C to prove they’re working. The proof will show up on the field.

Big Mike is a great motivator and breeds enthusiasm. Hopefully, Bluefield decides to keep him this time around. I look for the Beavers to take the state championship easily but we’ll see. They probably would have taken it last year if those three players hadn’t transferred to Princeton. 

I have always wondered if there is anything special or different that he does compared to anyone else, or just that he looks the part and is so likable that more kids want to lift?

Terry Barrett seems to be having a positive effect at Richlands as well. 
 

So, is there a secret sauce? As an aside, for those who were following the speed program “Feed the Cats” by Tony Holler, he preached not letting the weight room hurt speed training. 
 

Just curious. My theory was basically the weights had a greater impact on linemen and the speed guys either had it or didn’t. I still subscribe to more speed being a given advantage for Graham, Union, Princeton, Bluefield typically with the weight room usually shoring up the line. (Maybe Ridgeview?)

(Probably another topic, but does anyone know many players whose speed and quickness greatly improved due to weight room work or getting bigger? I think Chandler is one who got quicker by losing some size for example.) 

Sorry about the tangent, but I appreciate your thoughts/opinions on the debatable stuff.

 

[Gridiron60]

35 minutes ago, tornado99 said:

I have always wondered if there is anything special or different that he does compared to anyone else, or just that he looks the part and is so likable that more kids want to lift?

Terry Barrett seems to be having a positive effect at Richlands as well. 
 

So, is there a secret sauce? As an aside, for those who were following the speed program “Feed the Cats” by Tony Holler, he preached not letting the weight room hurt speed training. 
 

Just curious. My theory was basically the weights had a greater impact on linemen and the speed guys either had it or didn’t. I still subscribe to more speed being a given advantage for Graham, Union, Princeton, Bluefield typically with the weight room usually shoring up the line. (Maybe Ridgeview?)

(Probably another topic, but does anyone know many players whose speed and quickness greatly improved due to weight room work or getting bigger? I think Chandler is one who got quicker by losing some size for example.) 

Sorry about the tangent, but I appreciate your thoughts/opinions on the debatable stuff.

 

I don’t think he does anything different or special other than he looks the part and is a great motivator. 
I agree , a player either has speed or they don’t ,it can be improved but in my opinion weight room exclusively won’t drastically improve speed. There are ways to work on it though with targeted drills, etc. An overweight player could lose weight and get quicker. For the most part, some players are fast, others are not. I also agree that Chandler slimming down helped him with being quicker. 

[tornado99]

12 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

I don’t think he does anything different or special other than he looks the part and is a great motivator. 
I agree , a player either has speed or they don’t ,it can be improved but in my opinion weight room exclusively won’t drastically improve speed. There are ways to work on it though with targeted drills, etc. An overweight player could lose weight and get quicker. For the most part, some players are fast, others are not. I also agree that Chandler slimming down helped him with being quicker. 

I think this is the single biggest difference between Mance’s Richlands and T. Palmer’s G-men. Both excellent staffs and excellent teams. One just has a little more speed. Both even had/have a Dennis Palmer. In my opinion, one of the best defensive minds around. He just had a few more athletes now. I’m happy for him and he deserves the rewards for his contributions.

[Gridiron60]

11 hours ago, tornado99 said:

I think this is the single biggest difference between Mance’s Richlands and T. Palmer’s G-men. Both excellent staffs and excellent teams. One just has a little more speed. Both even had/have a Dennis Palmer. In my opinion, one of the best defensive minds around. He just had a few more athletes now. I’m happy for him and he deserves the rewards for his contributions.

Having players who are naturally talented especially speedy helps but definitely need right coaches in place too.

I agree D. Palmer is probably one of the best defensive minds around. If there was a Hall of Fame for assistant coaches in Virginia, he’d have a great resumé to get him inducted. I’d be curious to know his overall record as an assistant & how many district titles, region titles, state titles etc. I’m pretty sure it’s 4 or 5 state, one or two at Richlands and 3 at Graham but the other than that, no clue but has to be impressive. 

[Bulldogs52]

Harris back as head coach.  

[Gridiron60]

6 minutes ago, Bulldogs52 said:

Harris back as head coach.  

I feel bad for Deacon Young. Nothing against Harris but Coach Young deserved the opportunity to lead Tazewell as HC. Tazewell County School Board & school administrators never cease to amaze me. 

[cityofRaven]

On 4/1/2026 at 11:07 PM, cityofRaven said:

Tazewell will go to the recycling bin.

 

🤷‍♂️

[CPF]

43 minutes ago, Bulldogs52 said:

Harris back as head coach.  

Im shocked

[Real Sasquatch]

Maybe Harris learned how to return punts while he was away... I wish them the best..  

[Iceman2553]

Back to no discipline and barely beating single A schools, Tazewell will never change. There has to be a better hire out there 

[Gridiron60]

34 minutes ago, CPF said:

Im shocked

Tazewell is returning to the Harris glory days with his reinstatement. Should be fun to watch the ascension back to the powerhouse of SWVA 2A football once again under his leadership…oh wait, never mind. 

[cityofRaven]

12 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

Tazewell is returning to the Harris glory days with his reinstatement. Should be fun to watch the ascension back to the powerhouse of SWVA 2A football once again under his leadership…oh wait, never mind. 

Main Street Parade Time!!!

[Gridiron60]

5 minutes ago, cityofRaven said:

Main Street Parade Time!!!

If there’s a beer garden, I’ll be there and even throw some confetti otherwise I’m not much into a parade down Main Street Tazewell. 😂😂😂

[bulldog05-CO2017]

Time for 6-4 7-3 seasons with one and done in the post season. Hate to say it but he can’t win big games.🤷🏻‍♂️

[Sasquatch456]

3 hours ago, Gridiron60 said:

I feel bad for Deacon Young. Nothing against Harris but Coach Young deserved the opportunity to lead Tazewell as HC. Tazewell County School Board & school administrators never cease to amaze me. 

Maybe if he was a good enough coach they would’ve. They have had plenty of opportunities to give it to him but they haven’t. Maybe the reality is he’s just not that good of a coach 

[Gridiron60]

5 hours ago, Sasquatch456 said:

Maybe if he was a good enough coach they would’ve. They have had plenty of opportunities to give it to him but they haven’t. Maybe the reality is he’s just not that good of a coach 

Are you a Real Sasquatch wannabe? 😂
 

We get it. You’re either a Harris loyalist or personally don’t like Young which is fine; everyone is entitled to his opinion.
 

What’s the old saying? He couldn’t have done worse than what they’ve already had. Possibly, him not getting the job has zero to do with his coaching abilities and more to do with politics. If I were him, I wouldn’t even bother helping with football at this point. 

[Real Sasquatch]

6 hours ago, Sasquatch456 said:

Maybe if he was a good enough coach they would’ve. They have had plenty of opportunities to give it to him but they haven’t. Maybe the reality is he’s just not that good of a coach 

Imposter!!  Probably a guy in a suit.

[Union_Fan]

I don't know the ends and outs of Tazewell Co politics, but this doesn't seem like a popular hire.

I've not seen too many instances where a repeat hire has gone particularly well.

I do hope it works out for the kids though. They deserve to be successful.

[tornado99]

7 minutes ago, Union_Fan said:

I don't know the ends and outs of Tazewell Co politics, but this doesn't seem like a popular hire.

I've not seen too many instances where a repeat hire has gone particularly well.

I do hope it works out for the kids though. They deserve to be successful.

I don’t know the details, but a factor has to be “who would want this job?”. You, Union guys are blessed with the talent, tradition, and system the community has worked together to offer. 
Tazewell is likely limited to “a Tazewell guy”. As far as talent goes, someone will probably have to identify a potential group to get things rolling. I don’t know anything about that, but like most communities, they seem to have trouble fielding more than one team in the feeder system.  Combining that level of talent, local politics, and competing in the shadow of Graham is a monumental task. 
Good luck to them. Despite my loyalties to Richlands, I hate to see anyone struggle with years of turmoil to mediocrity at best, especially seeing Richlands work to crawl out of the depths. Every community has some good kids and people. 

[stu_bean]

I was told from another source on the inside that J'me applied along with a coach from Union and a candidate from Georgia.  I don['t know anything about the other two but you know what you get with J'me.

I hope the discipline issue will be resolved and only time will tell there.  I hope other things will be resolved as well.  I think the capability of being good is there and the next step can be taken but we will see.  I don't think it was the right pick but might have been the best pick given the choices.

On another note I have heard mixed opinions on Deacon.  Everybody loves him but several people have had reservations about him as a head coach.  No debate that he is one of the best assistants anywhere.  It is what it is and we will see what happens come Aug.  Hopefully numbers stay up and it let's see what kind of offense comes out on the field.  Could be an exciting season in the making...I hope at least.

[Gridiron60]

4 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

 

I do hope it works out for the kids though. They deserve to be successful.

I’ve heard a lot of the players are excited to have him back but after last season they’d probably be excited whether it was him or Deacon Young. Hopefully, it works out for the players’ sake. As you stated, they deserve to be successful.