Rez Ipsa

My observation was that Neumann didn’t use a complicated offense. In fact, I would argue that the defining theme of the six-year MCM streak was that Nederland ran a far more fundamentals-based, simple scheme on defense and offense than PNG, which enabled the team to achieve precision and confidence, especially in do-or-die situations. I think that tended to be the difference in those close games. So many games in that era came down to one or two plays where Nederland executed and PNG didn’t. 
 
One of the big differences between PNG now and PNG then is the commitment to mastering a few simple plays and expanding from that only as mastery is achieved, versus the razzle dazzle of the Faircloth era. I’ve heard PNG under Joseph be compared to Katy due to the similarity in the offense and the obvious family connection, but there’s also a similarity between Nederland under Neuman and PNG under Joseph. There’s at least a philosophical link between PNG now and Nederland under Neumann, which is they’re both good at just doing the few plays they’ve mastered right, and building from there. Nederland doesn’t need to blow up the printers with new or more complex plays. 

Absolutely - For all he gets criticized for various failings on defense, he’s a great coach and left PNG in a prime position for Joseph to build from. 

2 very very big names have threw their name in the hat… that Coach Dodge recommended them too. 😎😎

PN-G was left in a very good position by Coach Faircloth. 

True statements, but Nederland aren't really missing any kids that can truly help, maybe two or three that won't make a huge difference in outcomes of the game. There may be some Dads in here who kids aren't playing that feel a type of way, but the talent pool just isn't there. They're some Basketball players that could help right away, but they only play Basketball, which I hear is encouraged by the Head BB Coach! The AD will have to change that and emphasize to ALL coaches that he wants his athletic program having multi-sport athletes as a requirement. Something Barrow didn't really harp on. I do believe a 180 degree change in culture, and getting out of the prehistoric ways of athletics is concerned can/will change things. But it will take about 4-5 years or maybe longer for a long run in the playoffs.

Sounds like a lot of people got let go. I bet there’s a deeper story than football. 

That's why I said it all depends on how systemic the bad is.  Under normal circumstances you usually give a coach 1 year to install his system.  Second year should show marked improvement.  Third year should start competing for a Title.  But, like you have stated, it all depends how deep the bad is as to how long it'll take.  

Right - this is something I think needs to be underlined. Joseph inherited a healthy program with kids who had won several key games and had had a deep-ish playoff run. He didn’t have to “rebuild” so much as “redirect.” It sounds like Nederland will need to do something closer to a true rebuild.
That’s going to be key in how people evaluate the new guy. If the standard is “do exactly what png did and go straight to state,” that’s probably not going to work, because Faircloth left PNG in a state that is ahead of schedule relative to where Nederland is.
But, I don’t think we’re talking a several year rebuild. I think Nederland just needs to get kids back , get more kids in, hit the weight room better and structure themselves to go toe-to-toe with the power and conditioning of elite programs. They aren’t far off - If Nederland had 1% improvements across every category of improvement, they become an entirely different team.
A lot of Nedeand’s woes amount to just being left behind, not so much getting worse . The last two years, Barrow would probably have gone at least 1-1 against PNG if Faircloth had stayed the coach, because Faircloth built his teams the way Barrow does - Poor conditioning, low strength training, no attention to defense, and just hope you win by two points in a shootout. Joseph doesn’t do that, and he showed that there‘a a recipe for the mid county schools to compete at the highest level. Nederland can do it too, but given the current state of the program it might take a year or two to really see the results. But it could also be immediate, as we’ve seen. 

With no data, my assumption is participation is down. This is based on anecdotes from Nederland people who at least claim to be aware of kids who might otherwise be playing who are walking the halls instead. And, it seems to follow that if a program isn’t doing well there’s at least a few who walk away. Participation goes up with success. PNG had at least one key player come back between Joseph’s first and second years. That might just be a coincidence (unrelated to the success in Year 1). Also, just given Nederland’s history of having good players, I assume those people still exist even if they aren’t on the team. The only other explanation would be that Nederland just doesn’t have good players right now, which I refuse to believe, and I strongly suspect a new coach will prove me right.

Things at PNG wasn't as bad as they were towards the end at Nederland.  PNG probably had the good players from the halls that were already playing when the new coach got there.  Kids quit and never came out because how bad Nederland had become.  Get the right coach and start winning and you'll see how many kids you'll have available.  

Hope he enjoys his retirement if he chooses. 

No thanks.. 

I mean, he has a pretty good record. Just dont know if it will translate to 5A.
HOUSTON GUY
17 years; 167-49-0; 15-11-0
—staff, Wall—
2007  Wall                 4-6-0
2008  Wall                 3-7-0
2009  Wall                 7-4-0 R
2010  Wall               12-2-0 R
2011  Wall-              11-1-0*
2012  Wall               12-2-0*
2013  Wall               15-1-0*
2014  Wall               11-2-0*
2015  Wall               12-1-0*
2016  Wall               11-4-0*
2017  Wall               12-1-0*
2018  Wall                 9-3-0*
2019  Wall               12-1-0*
2020  Wall                 8-4-0 R
2021  Wall                 5-5-0 F
2022  Wall               12-2-0*
2023  Wall               11-3-0*

Right. It certainly served to emphasize the difference in where the programs were. It’s one thing to have a down era; it’s another thing entirely to have your rival win state while you’re struggling. Like, if PNG and Nederland had both been 2-8 the last two seasons, they’re both probably eventually looking for new coaches, but it doesn’t become such a focus on one school’s success or failure.  
 
Regardless, I have trouble believing Nederland doesn’t right the ship sooner than anyone thinks. 

Or if you change nothing about PNG over the last two years, and Nederland was 2-0 in the MCM game during that time, Nederland would still have their coach. 

I definitely think it sped it up.  You know. keeping up with the Jones.

I think PNg’s success was mostly symbolic in its effect on Nederland’s choices. The Nederland coaching staff failed on their own - If you changed nothing about PnG over the last two years and Nederland was posting strong 9 to 10 win seasons, they would still have their coach. 

my bad the cowboys was playing #oneanddone....too soon???? LOL

Admin didn't wake up said day and say...I think I'm gonna force the AD=HC out today...This was in the works, with a plan.

My guess (hope) is Barrow and the Super have been talking about this for a few weeks. Everyone sees the writing on the wall, most of all those two. If so, it could mean steps were quietly being taken in the background to identify solid candidates, beginning before the announcement. 

It seems he did nothing wrong, according to the powers that be. Case closed.

Hands off!

She really should have had her facts straight before writing a formal letter. They got their info off of social media and went with it. I bet she was wishing she could get that letter back to do some editing, when she found the ref that made the PI call wasn't the same ref.

Or PNG's......