89Falcon

6 hours ago, Reagan said:

If one has that kind of record for that long and you haven’t won a State title then is something wrong.  If State titles were easy every coach would have 30 of them.  But it’s NOT easy.  That’s what distinguishes elite coaches from everyone else.  You got to ask yourself:  why does Surratt have so many State titles and Danaher has none?  Luck?  I think not.  You might actually think that there might a difference in coaching ability concerning Surratt and Danaher?  My opinion is there is a difference!  Don’t get me wrong, Danaher was a great coach.  I’m sure he ran a respectable program.  Honest question:  Out of the two coaches mentioned, if you had to hire a coach, which one would you hire and why?

Everyone competes to win championships and the best team at the end of the season is declared the "champion". That means that if you want to declare someone to be the best coach you would start with championships and then go to "wins". SS can be declared the greatest high school coach of all-time without qualification. However, that does not mean that he has not been in "the right place at the right time" and also been the beneficiary of outside factors such as the fact that there are many more championships available on a yearly basis than what was available before all of the division splits. 

There are many GREAT coaches in schools that never have the talent level that SS walked into in Carthage and deal with community dynamics that hinder maximum optimization of the talent available. Those coaches may appear mediocre to those not "in the know". It was mentioned previously that a good coach "gets the most out of what he has available" and this is a likely good way to view caliber of coaching. However, the only folks who know what the "most out of what is available" is typically the coaches on the staff. Those who do not spend the hours with the kids when they are out of their comfort zones can only speculate as to what they believe to be "real". 

24 minutes ago, BBtater984 said:

In high school where most schools do not recruit and have to play the hand that is delt...  Well, that elite coach is someone that gets the most of his players. Someone that can take a bunch of avg. Joe's and have them playing above their avg. capabilities. Scoreboards don't always tell the complete story. Sure, people judge coaches by wins and loses but to me you can tell an elite coach by his players... by their enthusiasm, their motivation, someone that is will to run thru a brick wall for their Coach. I know you'll come back with some sarcastic remark about wins and losses or some other babbling nonsense... so save it. 

**Elite doesn't always mean the most championships!

Got it. So, we can disregard Cignetti as an analogy. How do "you" know if the coach "got the most out of his players"? Seen a lot of "enthusiastic" players who would "run through a wall" get de-cleated while watching a superior athlete run away for a score. 

5 hours ago, BBtater984 said:

Pick his own players? Do you mean offer scholarships to players he wants on his team? And what criterion did he use???... IDK ask him but I would bet that he looks for high character athletes. Athletes that fit the mold of what he is building. 

What mean by “pick his own players” is was he able “recruit”? I bet he looks for players with “talent”. What do you think?
 

In high school you have to play with the kids in your school. 

That's why they don't give trophies at half time. 

2 minutes ago, AggiesAreWe said:

SA turns it over way too much. Has cost them.

Hopefully settling the nerves. 

14 minutes ago, Mr. Buddy Garrity said:

I'll be watching this one. 

Keep us updated. 

On 3/5/2026 at 2:55 PM, BBtater984 said:

You do know that Cignetti has never had a losing season (as a HC)? And he's been coaching for 10+ years. So, with a resume like that, has he had the best player in college football every year?

Has he been able to pick his own players? If so, what criterion did he utilize for selecting players? 

1 hour ago, BBfan061 said:

I disagree… not saying Yoakum would win but Newton wouldn’t beat the brakes off them 

Would not be close. 

2 hours ago, TC2020 said:

I'll have what this guy is drinking!

 

Hardin is MUCH improved.  But half of your statements above are absurd and I don't think they will be able to run with the big dogs yet.  Moving down doesn't mean you will move up in the rankings.  We see this again and again. 

If Babin leaves, WV will become a little dog. Newton is really the only “big dog”. 

26 minutes ago, kirkwood29 said:

If said straw stirred the drink, straw would have received a full ride to play somewhere.  

So, Newton is better than Yoakum?  The team Hardin had a lead on at half, until the QB broke his leg and no longer became a threat to run? 

There are a lot of factors involved in recruiting. There is a long list of players who did not get recruited or receive "full rides" for various reasons and especially in the current climate (Trinidad Chambliss for a recent example). What Trevor Jones brought to the field is not questionable. Never heard a single coach utter a single word otherwise. 

7 minutes ago, kirkwood29 said:

If said straw stirred the drink, straw would have received a full ride to play somewhere.  

So, Newton is better than Yoakum?  The team Hardin had a lead on at half, until the QB broke his leg and no longer became a threat to run? 

Newton would beat the brakes of Yoakum. 

44 minutes ago, Setx fan said:

Your dreaming. Hardin lost everybody. They had one good class of players. The same class Brady played with before he moved to Anahuac. Those guys have graduated now 

Hardin absolutely did not "lose everybody". 

1 hour ago, kirkwood29 said:

 

Why would Hardin not finish 2nd?  Why would they not compete for the District Championship?

Did they not beat Orangefield last year, who defeated Woodville 27-7 ?

Is Newton better than Hitchcock, who beat Silsbee?  Because, Hardin knocked off Hitchcock, or am I dreaming that?

Where does this narrative come from that Hardin is going to fall off the mountain they climbed, by only losing two players?

According to my sources, the two players lost to graduation,  were not given scholarships to play college football?  

I was able to watch them online a few games and both of the RB's were exceptional, but perhaps some of that credit goes to the type of system they are in, with the size of that O-line, no? 

Seems to me some will have to be re-shocked at what Mr. Coach Taylor is doing over there, in Hardin.

The OL will be good but the straw that stirred the drink is gone. Everyone else looks good when the opponents are focused on one guy on both sides of the ball. The district is very weak. They could finish 2nd if Babin leaves. Would be an upset if they were to beat WV with Babin. 
 

Newton is 10x better than Hitchcock. Silsbee was missing several players when they played Hitchcock. 

2 hours ago, Setx fan said:

Probably won't happen but getting opinions from some of the "little league coaches" who have watched the boys grow and develop for years might not be a bad idea either way. 

LOL.

2 hours ago, EagleFan1982 said:

Any truth to Babin making a move to Chambers County to play 6A ball for Barbers Hill?  I have heard that the Supt has offered them a really good deal on one of those new apartments that the Education Foundation is runnning.

If that happens, the HC better with the local little league coaches and come up with a new plan.

20 hours ago, Bulldogs92 said:

The district put out a survey that was pretty detailed about what people want in a HC/AD along with strengths and weaknesses of the athletic program. It's nice that they're listening for once. Anyway, they're closing that survey on March 1st. I would say that they're very early in the process.

Always good to send out a survey to make people think they are a part of the process and then do whatever you were originally planning regardless.
 

If they want to “get it right”, they should consult the little league coaches in WV and WOS.

53 minutes ago, pine curtain said:

Looks like he will be able to build his own staff.

Going to be lots of openings in Hemphill.

That should help. Most ADs will not take job if they cant hire their own staff. 

17 minutes ago, jdog90 said:

I always thought that Barbay left because he saw the talent level that was coming... And I am a coach Barbay fan

He definitely knew what was in the pipeline. 

1 hour ago, Setx fan said:

Barbay was probably never in a district as tough as the one Crumedy had either. Most disappointing thing about Crumedy's stay was the loss to Shepherd. I think low team morale played into that a little. Maybe if he had scheduled a little lighter for preseason they go into that game feeling a little better about themselves and possibly pull off a win. I don't think the people at Jasper care much for barely making the playoffs though. They want to be serious state contenders and that's probably why he scheduled the teams he scheduled. 

Jasper lost to Shepherd because Shepherd had better players by a good margin. It would not have mattered who Jasper played in the pre district schedule. It is going to be worse next year because nearly every player on the roster is returning for Shepherd and Shepherd will have much more depth. 

2 minutes ago, AggiesAreWe said:

We know why they made it that far with Crumedy just like we know why they missed the playoffs with Crumedy.

I don't think Barbay ever missed while at Jasper. Not 100% sure about it though.

Yep. Jimmies and Joes.

59 minutes ago, Reagan said:

DARRELL BARBAY
22 years; 160-85-0

He's a good coach.  Not an elite coach.  Wasn't able to get to the state title.  So, I guess he didn't have the "kids" either!  But he's 100% better than the home cooking hire that just left!  You have to admit, the last coach wasn't gonna bring you a state title.  Oh, wait -- if it wasn't for them darn lousy kids!

They could do worst and they could do better.  Just stay away from home cooking!  Barbay wasn't home cooking was he?

PS -- Stay tuned.   I have some interesting info coming!

 

Got it. Who made it farther in the playoffs? Barbay or the "home cooking guy"? 

1 hour ago, Reagan said:

Maybe Jasper can lure him back?!   🤷‍♂️

Why would they do that? Based upon your logic, he is not a good coach. They need a "good coach" if they want to beat WOS and Carthage this year. Just a coach away from State Championship. 

53 minutes ago, Reagan said:

Who says they gonna get a good coach?  They haven’t had a very good history of it.  That’s why you keep trying to find one.  

If Warren gets a good coach, they should be able to beat Newton. As you indicated multiple times, winning has little to do with talent and primarily comes down to coaching. Speed, coordination and strength meaning very little. I was recently at an event and noticed how the Warren kids looked exactly like the Newton kids and that there is no reason for Warren to not compete with Newton. 

Still cant figure out why college coaches only recruit athletically dominant players? Seems like they could win with any group of players with good coaching. 

10 hours ago, Dirty_but_Dazzling said:

Yes. To be honest Center has had a surprising # of seasons that should have lasted alot longer than they did. 

Center best player moved to San Augustine 

6 hours ago, Reagan said:

1000%, nah.  That's your opinion.  You can have your own opinions but you can't have your own facts. 

Again, failing coaches need to "look at the man in the mirror" -- not in the weight room!   I know it's hard for people to blame themselves.  I've seen it everywhere.  It's easier to blame someone else -- like the kids!  Because ego is a son-of-a-gun!

Looking forward to Warren beating Newton this year when they get a good coach.