Gasilla

Rare to see home grown State Titles anymore. Coaches always trying to get that upper hand by recruiting players.

Great story, thanks for posting.  As one of the elderly, I see dementia creeping into my life.  Nothing to compare to what the Coach has, but it happens to some degree in most all of us.  Wouldn’t wish severe dementia (Alzheimer’s) on my worst enemy.  Google is my friend to help find the right word or how to spell.  I used to be the guy everyone ask how to spell something.  Now it’s a struggle.
But the Coach - what a dynasty he built…… from nothing.  What a legacy he leaves behind.  Hundreds of young men learned life lessons from him.  He may not remember but those young men will.  And the community will. Well done Coach.  Well done indeed.

I think if Silsbee and WOS traded schedules, Silsbee would be 2-2 and WOS would be 4-0. Never look to much into records. Silsbee has a very special team that has depth at almost every position on the field. I see now that HF is ranked #9 in 4A D2. WOS and Jasper have been ranked and have played tough schedules. The 4 playoffs teams will be Silsbee, WOS, HF, and Jasper. Placement is what we will have to wait and see. 

KT, bro that's about right. I've said it so many times before. Some people never happy with anything. Same ones hating T were dancing in stands at at&t. Same ones blaming him for not running Gales enough... wish he was back. Now that you got what you been pushing for. That isn't working out to good either. And that's the rant you put out there, full of personal attacks? Come on man. Some of us told you be careful what you wish for.

Bug, I think it's many things that begin with changing from the 50. I think the present coach is a great person, but, I think it's a poor decision to come in and the first thing you do is change the first thing you said you wouldn't change. That also happens to be the foundation the program was built on. You know, it's kind of one of those deals, if your going to come in and change the foundation of the program, you sure as heck better be successful at it. 
I agree with DJ in that we don't have the personnel to run the 40. There's a reason we ran the 50 all these years. The lineman you need at the 3 techniques we don't have every year. The 50 plays into what we have in abundance, quickness.
That, and we don't tackle like Mustangs anymore and I can only wonder if we still hit and tackle in practice (we may, that's just speculation). 
I've seen the people on FB blaming it on a young team and an overall lack of talent from years past. I coached these kids and the 10 classes before them. This class has as much talent, experience and ability as the last 2 or 3.
All in all, I hope they get this thing rolling. But, when you make changes to something that didn't need changes, you put yourself on a much shorter leash than you would had you truly attempted to "continue the tradition".

What happened to keeping that winning Tradition going at WOS?

I agree with this. They've got into a couple of alignments that look like an attempt at the 50. Makes me wonder if they just don't know how to coach it, but Hick has been there for 6 years as a defensive coach. How could he not know it?

Tiger, the way the hiring process went down combined with the changes he's made has made many WOS faithful on edge. He could not control the hiring process, but he did know the culture at WOS. Again, with everything else going on, changing what made WOS, WOS was not the best idea IMO. By that, he's put himself in a precarious situation.
I'll say this, too. I've stated my opinion about the changes, but in that I'm not saying I want him gone. I'm hoping he's big enough to recognize when he's made a mistake and adjust. Cornel did it with his offense after he took the helm in 2011. There's nothing wrong with trying something different. But keeping it just because it's what you want is when it becomes a problem.
The measure of a true leader is not about getting it right every time. It's being able to admit when you are wrong and making the necessary adjustments to correct that mistake. Understanding that the program comes first and bigger than you are.
This is a defining moment for him.

Tiger, the way the hiring process went down combined with the changes he's made has made many WOS faithful on edge. He could not control the hiring process, but he did know the culture at WOS. Again, with everything else going on, changing what made WOS, WOS was not the best idea IMO. By that, he's put himself in a precarious situation.
I'll say this, too. I've stated my opinion about the changes, but in that I'm not saying I want him gone. I'm hoping he's big enough to recognize when he's made a mistake and adjust. Cornel did it with his offense after he took the helm in 2011. There's nothing wrong with trying something different. But keeping it just because it's what you want is when it becomes a problem.
The measure of a true leader is not about getting it right every time. It's being able to admit when you are wrong and making the necessary adjustments to correct that mistake. Understanding that the program comes first and bigger than you are.
This is a defining moment for him.

Yes sir we have and I appreciate your willingness to admit this is a strange move. 
As a Mustang fan and knowing how other Mustang fans think, time is up. We don't lose to Silsbee (yes, I know we have, but that's the mentality). I'm saying that "tongue and cheek", but really... We DONT lose to Silsbee. 
I'll also say I appreciate your willingness to be objective about the situation since you're both Silsbee natives and not jumping to his defense (which I know is hard). Heck, I'm pulling for him. He needs to make adjustments so let's see what happens. But, it's kind of like my kids, sometimes. I'm always on their side, but sometimes they sure make things harder than they need to be. 

Tiger, the way the hiring process went down combined with the changes he's made has made many WOS faithful on edge. He could not control the hiring process, but he did know the culture at WOS. Again, with everything else going on, changing what made WOS, WOS was not the best idea IMO. By that, he's put himself in a precarious situation.
I'll say this, too. I've stated my opinion about the changes, but in that I'm not saying I want him gone. I'm hoping he's big enough to recognize when he's made a mistake and adjust. Cornel did it with his offense after he took the helm in 2011. There's nothing wrong with trying something different. But keeping it just because it's what you want is when it becomes a problem.
The measure of a true leader is not about getting it right every time. It's being able to admit when you are wrong and making the necessary adjustments to correct that mistake. Understanding that the program comes first and bigger than you are.
This is a defining moment for him.

Tiger, the way the hiring process went down combined with the changes he's made has made many WOS faithful on edge. He could not control the hiring process, but he did know the culture at WOS. Again, with everything else going on, changing what made WOS, WOS was not the best idea IMO. By that, he's put himself in a precarious situation.
I'll say this, too. I've stated my opinion about the changes, but in that I'm not saying I want him gone. I'm hoping he's big enough to recognize when he's made a mistake and adjust. Cornel did it with his offense after he took the helm in 2011. There's nothing wrong with trying something different. But keeping it just because it's what you want is when it becomes a problem.
The measure of a true leader is not about getting it right every time. It's being able to admit when you are wrong and making the necessary adjustments to correct that mistake. Understanding that the program comes first and bigger than you are.
This is a defining moment for him.

Wrong. Hickman started at Silsbee as an assistant, then became Defensive Co. After McGallion retired he put in for head coaching job at Silsbee but did not get it (Randy Smith got the job, still there). Then he was hired by Cornel to be an assistant at WO-S. Hickman has been at WO-S for over 6 years now.

Typically yes. But we are not the typical HS FB program. Our success has made us demand excellence. And no, not everyone wants him gone. I wasn't happy with the hiring process. Not just that it wasn't my guy. Then I jumped on the bandwagon after I got a feel for his character, and heard his comments regarding the future of WOS FB. After reading the preview back in August, I noticed there would be some changes that weren't mentioned before.
Consider this, if Silsbee basketball coach left their very dominant program in the hands of an assistant coach who had never been in the position before. Would you expect a completely new style on the hardwood?

Bug, I think it's many things that begin with changing from the 50. I think the present coach is a great person, but, I think it's a poor decision to come in and the first thing you do is change the first thing you said you wouldn't change. That also happens to be the foundation the program was built on. You know, it's kind of one of those deals, if your going to come in and change the foundation of the program, you sure as heck better be successful at it. 
I agree with DJ in that we don't have the personnel to run the 40. There's a reason we ran the 50 all these years. The lineman you need at the 3 techniques we don't have every year. The 50 plays into what we have in abundance, quickness.
That, and we don't tackle like Mustangs anymore and I can only wonder if we still hit and tackle in practice (we may, that's just speculation). 
I've seen the people on FB blaming it on a young team and an overall lack of talent from years past. I coached these kids and the 10 classes before them. This class has as much talent, experience and ability as the last 2 or 3.
All in all, I hope they get this thing rolling. But, when you make changes to something that didn't need changes, you put yourself on a much shorter leash than you would had you truly attempted to "continue the tradition".

Bug, I think it's many things that begin with changing from the 50. I think the present coach is a great person, but, I think it's a poor decision to come in and the first thing you do is change the first thing you said you wouldn't change. That also happens to be the foundation the program was built on. You know, it's kind of one of those deals, if your going to come in and change the foundation of the program, you sure as heck better be successful at it. 
I agree with DJ in that we don't have the personnel to run the 40. There's a reason we ran the 50 all these years. The lineman you need at the 3 techniques we don't have every year. The 50 plays into what we have in abundance, quickness.
That, and we don't tackle like Mustangs anymore and I can only wonder if we still hit and tackle in practice (we may, that's just speculation). 
I've seen the people on FB blaming it on a young team and an overall lack of talent from years past. I coached these kids and the 10 classes before them. This class has as much talent, experience and ability as the last 2 or 3.
All in all, I hope they get this thing rolling. But, when you make changes to something that didn't need changes, you put yourself on a much shorter leash than you would had you truly attempted to "continue the tradition".

Bug, I think it's many things that begin with changing from the 50. I think the present coach is a great person, but, I think it's a poor decision to come in and the first thing you do is change the first thing you said you wouldn't change. That also happens to be the foundation the program was built on. You know, it's kind of one of those deals, if your going to come in and change the foundation of the program, you sure as heck better be successful at it. 
I agree with DJ in that we don't have the personnel to run the 40. There's a reason we ran the 50 all these years. The lineman you need at the 3 techniques we don't have every year. The 50 plays into what we have in abundance, quickness.
That, and we don't tackle like Mustangs anymore and I can only wonder if we still hit and tackle in practice (we may, that's just speculation). 
I've seen the people on FB blaming it on a young team and an overall lack of talent from years past. I coached these kids and the 10 classes before them. This class has as much talent, experience and ability as the last 2 or 3.
All in all, I hope they get this thing rolling. But, when you make changes to something that didn't need changes, you put yourself on a much shorter leash than you would had you truly attempted to "continue the tradition".

Bug, I think it's many things that begin with changing from the 50. I think the present coach is a great person, but, I think it's a poor decision to come in and the first thing you do is change the first thing you said you wouldn't change. That also happens to be the foundation the program was built on. You know, it's kind of one of those deals, if your going to come in and change the foundation of the program, you sure as heck better be successful at it. 
I agree with DJ in that we don't have the personnel to run the 40. There's a reason we ran the 50 all these years. The lineman you need at the 3 techniques we don't have every year. The 50 plays into what we have in abundance, quickness.
That, and we don't tackle like Mustangs anymore and I can only wonder if we still hit and tackle in practice (we may, that's just speculation). 
I've seen the people on FB blaming it on a young team and an overall lack of talent from years past. I coached these kids and the 10 classes before them. This class has as much talent, experience and ability as the last 2 or 3.
All in all, I hope they get this thing rolling. But, when you make changes to something that didn't need changes, you put yourself on a much shorter leash than you would had you truly attempted to "continue the tradition".

I agree with you.   Was very perplexed by the decision in the first place.   Westbrook has struggled on defense for a long time.    They weren’t great when they played for the state title.    I watched them play, and they were constantly misaligned, out flanked, and poorly coached.   Just my opinion, anyways. 
 
I’d be most concerned about the discipline of the kids and the structure of the program moving forward as well.   WOS will always have talent, and tough kids.   That’s not a question.  

I count 7 former players/coaches currently on staff. That's one of the main things I can't understand. It's not a completely new staff and perhaps that has more to do with it. These grown men have never worked together as a team. One advantage to the guy they could've brought in. He would've brought his staff and kept the some of the old too.

WOS will still win a whole bunch of games.  They will still play several rounds deep in the playoffs.   They still have quality athletes.   Hell, the way the district has been bleeding students the last 2 decades, they could be 3A-D2 one day.   They will always be competitive.
 
But…. I don’t feel they will ever be the WOS they use to be.   Not unless better decisions, and better hires are made.   The further we get away from the DRH and CT era’s, and the impact they had on the program, the more they will decline.
 
How to kill a program?  Get rid of any and everyone that had to do with past success, and change the philosophies and schemes that created the success.    Coach T was a tough, hard nosed, old school disciplinarian.  He was the S&T coordinator.   Take that away, and replace him with anyone, and it’s a downgrade.    I don’t care what kind of college experience the guy comes from.

You know Gasilla, I can't put my finger on why we are not playing better.  Is it all because of the 50 defense, or is it the attitudes of the fans and the players are feeling their reactions. One thing I want coach H. to do better beside having the team ready to win is to...  get into the shoes of the refs, make them feel his raft if he feels that they made a bad call against his team LOL.  

That hasn't happened with the current varsity group, but, depending on where the season ends up, will be a real problem in the future.

With the rise of Hudl, scouting isn't done like it used to be. Most scouting now is done via Hudl in lieu of the cost of sending out scout teams all over the place.

Huffman game was on TL but like I said, can't always trust that the game will be broadcast till after the fact.
I can only state what I know for fact. No speculation.
Coach T and staff on many occasions scouted a team that they put emphasis on when they had the opportunity to see them live (i.e. bye week or played on Thursday). I have been in several press boxes and seen this with my own eyes. Coach H was one of those staff members that I personally saw do this. He's just learning from the best.
Coach T is old school and when he had an opportunity to see a team live that he put emphasis on, he took it. Didn't want to count on some outside broadcast entity to do it for him. BTW, this is as recent as last year.
I can say over the years, Hooks and Thompson scouted more teams in advance (weeks out) than most coaching staffs did in this area. I have seen them many times in press boxes and the bleachers in Silsbee and other places and it not necessarily be the opponent for next week.