Richland fires Davis 2 months before season?

[tornado99]

7 hours ago, SwvaOG said:

The timeline doesn’t support this. Lowe left several years ago.  I’ve point blank asked Richlands staffers about this issue.  I heard a lot of stuff that’s not being discussed on this board. I don’t sway either side but there were issues on all sides. The bottom line is this all happened because there was not a clear post-Mance plan. That’s ridiculous in my book. The powers that be should have had some succession blueprint.  
At some point Richlands has to get back to the basics of a successful program. Strength and Conditioning, talent identification, retention and development, and fundamental football with a clear identity. The absolute fastest way to turn a program around is through defensive fundamentals.

Strong leadership and a long obedience in the same (positive) direction. Great post on the solution. I sometimes wonder if consistent action works if you’re committed to it. For example, it may not be too different between committing to a particular scheme, whether run or pass-heavy as long as it fits your athletes. 
Same with strength and conditioning. I think both Terry Barrett and Mike Horton got positive results, but in different ways. 

[Elder statesman]

21 hours ago, SwvaOG said:

The timeline doesn’t support this. Lowe left several years ago.  I’ve point blank asked Richlands staffers about this issue.  I heard a lot of stuff that’s not being discussed on this board. I don’t sway either side but there were issues on all sides. The bottom line is this all happened because there was not a clear post-Mance plan. That’s ridiculous in my book. The powers that be should have had some succession blueprint.  
At some point Richlands has to get back to the basics of a successful program. Strength and Conditioning, talent identification, retention and development, and fundamental football with a clear identity. The absolute fastest way to turn a program around is through defensive fundamentals.

It wasn't the only reason but it was one of the reasons.  The sons played youth ball together and Lowe was obviously gonna win out that roster spot so it was definitely an underlying factor.

 

[Real Sasquatch]

Looking at the big picture, we have been very blessed to have some successful trams around here. The enrollments are dropping, Richlands was 2A with many more students to choose from just 10 years ago.  Now, they have just over 600 kids, maybe less this year....There are far fewer athletes and it's harder to get kids to play when the adults can't get along.  

[Gridiron60]

1 hour ago, Elder statesman said:

It wasn't the only reason but it was one of the reasons.  The sons played youth ball together and Lowe was obviously gonna win out that roster spot so it was definitely an underlying factor.

 

I heard this also back when all that went down with Lowe. It had a lot to do with his kid taking spotlight from another kid whose parent holds a lot of influence in school system and Richlands. I didn’t give it much thought at the time but it seems there was in fact some truth to it. 

[Wolf1207]

Sounds like there is a lot of drama in Richlands right now in general. Not just with the football team.

[tornado99]

1 hour ago, Wolf1207 said:

Sounds like there is a lot of drama in Richlands right now in general. Not just with the football team.

That seems to be the case for the last 10-15 years or so. I can’t put my finger on it, but when the football program was winning under Coach Mance there were fewer issues. Issues may have been there, but for better or worse it covered up many of the issues, but more importantly provided a unifying force and pecking order. I know it’s a stretch, and I’m under no illusion that football is the most important thing, but hear me out. Living here my whole life, it always seemed there were factions in Richlands. Not to stereotype because I am somewhat basing on the feedback of others, but in most communities (Tazewell, Lebanon, Honaker, etc.) there always seemed to be a clear circle of power in influence making decisions.  In Richlands it always seemed to be two or more groups vying for power. Anyway, when Richlands was winning, everyone supported the Blues. Even with dissatisfaction of one side vs the other, you couldn’t really argue with the winning results. There was a greater sense of pride and stability. Since then, it’s been chaos. As they say, a locker room is often the one place where we put aside our differences and work together for a good cause.
I’m not going to say football cures those ills. It doesn’t and shouldn’t. I’m also not going to say it’s the cause. I think many of the issues in Wise County at Union weren’t caused by the football program. Just maybe the good concealed some of the issues. 
Back to Richlands, the winning team isn’t what dominates the headlines. It’s a warring town council, constant coaching turnover and rumors (true or not)of decisions made primarily in the name of political and self-interested ambition instead of what’s right or best for everyone. There’s a lot of good people in and around Richlands. Unfortunately, that’s not what outsiders see. I pray that God helps turn in around. 

[Minj3]

On 7/16/2026 at 7:36 AM, Elder statesman said:

I heard a rumor that this is the main reason that Lowe left a few years ago which ultimately led to Trivette leaving as well.  A lot of moving parts to have one kid placed in a roster spot.

Lowe’s son a QB, and McGhee’s son a QB. Maybe totally coincidental but I somehow doubt it

[Elder statesman]

19 hours ago, Minj3 said:

Lowe’s son a QB, and McGhee’s son a QB. Maybe totally coincidental but I somehow doubt it

Summarizes Richlands pretty good over the years.  Much in the same way Jody Fuller was ran out to make room for another local family with a lot of clout.

[tornado99]

2 hours ago, Elder statesman said:

Summarizes Richlands pretty good over the years.  Much in the same way Jody Fuller was ran out to make room for another local family with a lot of clout.

This was one example I was thinking about as a key event during that timeline.

[Minj3]

The track record here makes me more and more convinced that what I heard is true - Davis was canned predominantly for McGhee to have his boy at QB and for Breeding to have his at LB. Ronnie deserved better.

[Tru Blue72]

I haven't posted on this subject so far, so I may have missed it.  Was there ever official word given from the administration or the higher ups at the TCSB on the reason for releasing Ronnis Davis? Seems there is a lot of rumors, but no definite word. Why can't we as fans hear an explanation? If it was something along the lines of misconduct from the coach, I think it only fair to both the coach and the upcoming players to know what lead to this decision. I think it not only is detrimental to the fan base but also to all involved especially the players. IMO, the team was improving and heading in the right direction with Ronnie, and now from what's been rumored, some are transferring, others are choosing not to play, and many fans are giving up even before the season starts.  So, What Brought About the Change?

[Widespread_Panic]

22 hours ago, Tru Blue72 said:

Was there ever official word given from the administration or the higher ups at the TCSB on the reason for releasing Ronnis Davis? 

No reason was given and that is standard procedure for a majority of school systems. A high school coaches contract can be terminated without reason. From the central office's point of view they don't have a lot to gain by giving a reason because it could open them up to lawsuits. All that being said, I think it was a terrible decision by Richlands High School to fire Coach Davis.   

[Flea]

From what I gather the decision was made by the Superintendent and not by the Richlands Principal. The Principal has not publicly stated as such but someone in attendance that night said it was obvious. 

[CPF]

32 minutes ago, Flea said:

From what I gather the decision was made by the Superintendent and not by the Richlands Principal. The Principal has not publicly stated as such but someone in attendance that night said it was obvious. 

That decision is solely in the hands of the principal. If the superintendent did it then its to take the fall for the cowardly principal.

[Fairlawncat]

1 minute ago, CPF said:

That decision is solely in the hands of the principal. If the superintendent did it then its to take the fall for the cowardly principal.

Yep

[techfan]

13 hours ago, CPF said:

That decision is solely in the hands of the principal. If the superintendent did it then its to take the fall for the cowardly principal.

Thats not the story I heard but I could be wrong. I heard Vencill submitted his name as the football coach but Breeding and Culbertson got at least one other school board member to go along with them and wouldn’t approve him. I think he did a lot of damage when he told Terry Barrett he was no longer needed. The kids, parents and community loved Terry. Ironically the rumor is the new coach also wouldn’t give Terry authority in the weight room. 

[Gridiron60]

11 hours ago, techfan said:

Thats not the story I heard but I could be wrong. I heard Vencill submitted his name as the football coach but Breeding and Culbertson got at least one other school board member to go along with them and wouldn’t approve him. I think he did a lot of damage when he told Terry Barrett he was no longer needed. The kids, parents and community loved Terry. Ironically the rumor is the new coach also wouldn’t give Terry authority in the weight room. 

I highly doubt Chris Stacy cares much who is the football coach at Richlands as long as nothing nefarious or inappropriate is going on so I don’t buy he was behind the situation. As far as Terry Barrett (whom I don’t know anything about)  , but anything to do with football program is up to the head coach including the weight room. You don’t want to do things the way the head coach does, then so long. It’s an unfortunate situation for the program as it seemed to be headed in the right direction under Coach Davis. 

[Gridiron60]

23 hours ago, Flea said:

From what I gather the decision was made by the Superintendent and not by the Richlands Principal. The Principal has not publicly stated as such but someone in attendance that night said it was obvious. 

The superintendent is definitely taking the blame or deflecting for who was really behind the situation. Chris Stacy is not that invested in Richlands football.

[1inStripes]

11 hours ago, techfan said:

Thats not the story I heard but I could be wrong. I heard Vencill submitted his name as the football coach but Breeding and Culbertson got at least one other school board member to go along with them and wouldn’t approve him. 

That shows it wasn't the superintendents decision.  It falls squarely on the SB members if true.  The School Board doesn't work for the Superintendent.

[bleedblue89]

On 7/25/2026 at 9:04 AM, techfan said:

Thats not the story I heard but I could be wrong. I heard Vencill submitted his name as the football coach but Breeding and Culbertson got at least one other school board member to go along with them and wouldn’t approve him. I think he did a lot of damage when he told Terry Barrett he was no longer needed. The kids, parents and community loved Terry. Ironically the rumor is the new coach also wouldn’t give Terry authority in the weight room. 

Who is Culbertson?

[Gridiron60]

2 hours ago, bleedblue89 said:

Who is Culbertson?

The other rep for Richlands area maybe Raven. She’s been on board for years.

[tornado99]

25 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

The other rep for Richlands area maybe Raven. She’s been on board for years.

Do you mean Whittington?

[Gridiron60]

1 minute ago, tornado99 said:

Do you mean Whittington?

Yes, that’s her, the same person Donna Culbertson  (Donna Whittington). 

[techfan]

12 hours ago, tornado99 said:

Do you mean Whittington?

Yeah until I looked online I had no idea her name was Culbertson but that’s what’s on the website. I always knew her as Whittington or Lawson. 

[Tru Blue72]

Doesn't matter if it was political or a disgruntled assistant, it's a bad look and a destructive decision which hurts the players who had worked their tails off to get Richlands back to the winning side. I'm just and old guy but IMO the next couple of years are going to be interesting but hard to watch. I think we all feel bad for the players who are going through this clown show. I think we all know there will be plenty of empty seats at the Ernie this year on the home side, but IMO we should still get there and support the players we still have when all this dust clears.