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Rye Cove's Gary Collier has been the best at every level

Liam McPoyle

By Liam McPoyle
in SWVA Football

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Liam McPoyle Grand Master

Liam McPoyle

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On the field or the sideline, Gary Collier rises above the rest.

At Pennington, he was the best 1A QB in the State. At Emory & Henry, he was the best D3 QB in America. And now, he may be the best 1A coach in Virginia.

When he took over in 2022, The small school was beyond rock bottom: a 13-game losing streak before ending 2021 with four forfeits due to a shortage of players. What followed has been nothing short of miraculous.

In 2022, Rye Cove went 7–3 and earned a playoff berth.
In 2023, the Eagles posted the best season in school history, finishing 11–2 as Region D runner-up.
In 2024, they went 13–1, winning the program’s first regional championship.
In 2025, despite an injury-riddled roster, Rye Cove finished the regular season 7–3 , avenged two losses in the playoffs, repeated as regional champions, and earned a trip to the state championship game.

And while the Eagles ultimately fell short of a state title, the result does nothing to diminish what Gary Collier has built—a sustained winner, a transformed culture, and one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Virginia HS football history.

Pickett Enthusiast

Pickett

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IMHO Collier and staff were exceptional this year:  He lost a very good assistant in R Norris, dealt with a number of key injuries, manufactured offense with basically zero explosive players and defeated 3 teams along the way to state game with superior talent.     

Jags52 Proficient

Jags52

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2 hours ago, Liam McPoyle said:

Yeah… but one’s a Shelby GT500, the other’s a Ford Fusion airport rental.

I disagree. I am not taking anything away from Collier he has done a great job turning Rye Cove into a winner but does he have Union Gate City AND Ridgeview on the schedule every year? Also how many time has they ran into Graham in the playoffs? The difference between class 1 and 2 is massive on a week by week basis. It’s just like the college football a G5 team may upset a P4 but drop that team in the SEC or Big Ten and the record would be bad. Lee was on a pretty long losing streak before Carroll and they make the playoffs just about every year. If you really want to know how big of an impact Carroll had at Marion? They have won 11 games in the 7 seasons after him. You know this man is a great coach come on dude

S10SQUAREBODY4LIFE Experienced

S10SQUAREBODY4LIFE

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Comparing apples and oranges,  one doing well in div 1a doesn't necessarily equate the other doing a little above average in div 2a and vice versa. Regardless of schedule, they will be viewed by their wins,  and if fortunate enough,  their championships in the district, region, and state.  Gotta commend Collier for taking on a monumental task of starting the revolution in scott county. Lee when caroll showed up wasn't that far from the same situation.  

Liam McPoyle Grand Master

Liam McPoyle

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Joey Carroll: Great Coach or Average Coach?

 

  • Elite coaches redefine expectations, build dynasties, regularly win district and regional titles over many years, win state title(s)

  • Great coaches exceed expectations, win multiple district titles, regional titles, play in Salem in December

  • Average coaches meet expectations, field competitive teams most seasons

 

Marion  8 seasons (2011-18)

OVERALL RECORD: 48-41 (.539)

PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-6 (.333)

HOGOHEEGEE DISTRICT TITLES (6 seasons): 1

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT TITLES (2 seasons) 0

WINNING SEASONS: 5 of 8

BEST RECORD: 10-2 (2015)

WORST RECORD: 1-9 (2016)

 

 

WINS WHEN UNDERDOG : 1

1. 2011 Carroll Co 30-8

 

LOSSES WHEN FAVORED: 5

1. 2012 Graham 21-20 

2. 2013 Chilhowie 13-7

3. 2023 George Wythe 27-20

4. 2014 Northwood 36-13

5. 2016 Rural Retreat 20-19

 

 

 

His two biggest advantages at Marion were:

1. An excellent run of athletes including Marshall Wagner, Ethan Richardson, Sam Wagner, Trey Crook, Kelby Ford, Hunter Lefler, Riley Blevins, Mazoff brothers, etc.. 

2. An easier schedule, playing 6 of his 8 seasons in Hogoheegee

 

W-L since leaving Marion:

Person, NC (7-11)

Lee (23-32)

 

His Marion record was slightly above his predecessor and clearly better than his successors, who inherited the program after the talent well ran dry. To his credit, he improved morale, got kids in the weight room and out for track, and at Lee took a winless program back to respectability.

But there's nothing on Joey’s résumé to suggest he's a "great" coach. IMHO, he’s an average coach who's not in the same stratosphere as Gary Collier.

 

Jags52 Proficient

Jags52

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3 hours ago, Liam McPoyle said:

Joey Carroll: Great Coach or Average Coach?

 

  • Elite coaches redefine expectations, build dynasties, win multiple district and regional titles over many years, win state title(s)

  • Great coaches exceed expectations, win district title(s), regional title(s), play in Salem in December

  • Average coaches meet expectations, field competitive teams most seasons

 

Marion  8 seasons (2011-18)

OVERALL RECORD: 48-41 (.539)

PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-6 (.333)

HOGOHEEGEE DISTRICT TITLES (6 seasons): 0

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT TITLES (2 seasons) 0

WINNING SEASONS: 5 of 8

BEST RECORD: 10-2 (2015)

WORST RECORD: 1-9 (2016)

 

 

WINS WHEN UNDERDOG : 1

1. 2011 Carroll Co 30-8

 

LOSSES WHEN FAVORED: 5

1. 2012 Graham 21-20 

2. 2013 Chilhowie 13-7

3. 2023 George Wythe 27-20

4. 2014 Northwood 36-13

5. 2016 Rural Retreat 20-19

 

 

 

His two biggest advantages at Marion were:

1. An excellent run of athletes including Marshall Wagner, Ethan Richardson, Sam Wagner, Trey Crook, Kelby Ford, Hunter Lefler, Riley Blevins, Mazoff brothers, etc.. 

2. An easier schedule, playing 6 of his 8 seasons in Hogoheegee

 

W-L since leaving Marion:

Person, NC (7-11)

Lee (23-32)

 

His Marion record was slightly above his predecessor and clearly better than his successors, who inherited the program after the talent well ran dry. To his credit, he improved morale, got kids in the weight room and out for track, and at Lee took a winless program back to respectability.

But there's nothing on Joey’s résumé to suggest he's a "great" coach. IMHO, he’s an average coach who's not in the same stratosphere as Gary Collier.

 

You really are in love with the guy to go through this much trouble to call him average… the fact that your don’t understand the challenge at Marion is mind boggling considering you are a Smyth county guy. 
 

I wasn’t taking anything away from Collier he has done a great job and has a GREAT staff that is just as important as the head coach himself. Carroll’s best years at Marion he had great assistants the fact at Marion does not hire teachers that want to coach and that was probably a big reason why he left and the reason the program has struggled since considering they have no coaches in the building now. I can’t speak for the situation in NC or at Lee but I promise you a lot of the work that is being done is all on him. So average no way in hell man.

Liam McPoyle Grand Master

Liam McPoyle

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1 hour ago, Jags52 said:

You really are in love with the guy to go through this much trouble to call him average… the fact that your don’t understand the challenge at Marion is mind boggling considering you are a Smyth county guy. 
 

I wasn’t taking anything away from Collier he has done a great job and has a GREAT staff that is just as important as the head coach himself. Carroll’s best years at Marion he had great assistants the fact at Marion does not hire teachers that want to coach and that was probably a big reason why he left and the reason the program has struggled since considering they have no coaches in the building now. I can’t speak for the situation in NC or at Lee but I promise you a lot of the work that is being done is all on him. So average no way in hell man.

Calling him an “average” coach wasn't meant as an insult (average = good); it’s simply an evaluation based on results rather than effort. You see it differently, and that’s fine. Reasonable people can disagree without it becoming personal. And for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t describe someone I'm in love with as “average.” lol.

Anyway, I’m well aware of how difficult the Marion job is. It’s a tough situation, and Joey clearly worked hard to improve the program—and he did make it better. I wish he’d had stronger support from MSHS and the SCSB, and I genuinely hated to see him leave.

 For context, Marion has had seven head coaches over the past 30 years, and the only one I’d personally rank ahead of Carroll is Steve Wright—who I do consider a great coach.  

In the end, whether someone says good, great, or average comes down to opinion and semantics.

Liam McPoyle Grand Master

Liam McPoyle

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27 minutes ago, Fairlawncat said:

The problem is....I cant get around whether or not you are going with the naturally aspirated V6 3.5L for the Fusion, or the horrible 2.0 L turbo charged for the Fusion? Because, the two above aren't the same. One of those above produces short term fun until the head gaskets blow, and one produces reliable longterm stability.

Joey’s a dependable, long-term build—but Marion skipped oil changes and ran 85-octane, then wondered why it sputtered.

swvavol Community Regular

swvavol

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2 hours ago, jreed97 said:

47 - 13... Given the discrepancy in size / resources, pretty clear who the better coach is 🦅

Not getting into this battle of who is better between Carroll and Collier, but basing your opinion of Carroll off of the results of this years RC-Lee game isn't exactly fair due to the amount of injuries the Generals had this season.  They were without 4 out of their top 5 players that game, and then Konner Early left midway thru the 1st with an injury.  Not saying Lee would have won with a healthy roster, but I would guarantee it wouldn't have been a 34 point ballgame.

jreed97 Apprentice

jreed97

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23 minutes ago, swvavol said:

Not getting into this battle of who is better between Carroll and Collier, but basing your opinion of Carroll off of the results of this years RC-Lee game isn't exactly fair due to the amount of injuries the Generals had this season.  They were without 4 out of their top 5 players that game, and then Konner Early left midway thru the 1st with an injury.  Not saying Lee would have won with a healthy roster, but I would guarantee it wouldn't have been a 34 point ballgame.

OK, how about last year? RC 14 Lee 6

Or 2023? RC 31 Lee 25

 

Jags52 Proficient

Jags52

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13 hours ago, Liam McPoyle said:

Calling him an “average” coach wasn't meant as an insult (average = good); it’s simply an evaluation based on results rather than effort. You see it differently, and that’s fine. Reasonable people can disagree without it becoming personal. And for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t describe someone I'm in love with as “average.” lol.

Anyway, I’m well aware of how difficult the Marion job is. It’s a tough situation, and Joey clearly worked hard to improve the program—and he did make it better. I wish he’d had stronger support from MSHS and the SCSB, and I genuinely hated to see him leave.

 For context, Marion has had seven head coaches over the past 30 years, and the only one I’d personally rank ahead of Carroll is Steve Wright—who I do consider a great coach.  

In the end, whether someone says good, great, or average comes down to opinion and semantics.

I guess we did disagree on the definition of some words there. To me average means anyone can do it. That is obviosity not the case here just look what has happened since he left Marion. I also do not think its fair to judge high school coaches solely off of record. When teams are even in talent coaching comes in to play a lot but when you are massively out gunned talent wise there is only so much you can do. Just ask Collier and James in the last two state championship games. Essex and Rappahonnock had more speed than Grayson and Rye Cove respectively and it showed in the second half. I think a great coach takes the kids he has and gets the most out of them and that may result in a 5-5 4-6 season and a first round exit and a lot of people see that as a failure because they did not win it all but you have to have perspective when it comes to small school high school football.  

TwhscoachT Enthusiast

TwhscoachT

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On 12/14/2025 at 10:22 PM, Maynman said:

I’m surprised Lee HS hasn’t tried to get him.  He could turn them back into a great program.  

Lee passed on him for the current coach. Will he even entertain a call from Lee, now?

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