Tarkington is open

[CDub86]

4 minutes ago, 89Falcon said:

I am aware of some of the candidates. Tarkington will have an opportunity to make a quality hire. It is likely that they will sabotage any new coach and end in the same, but they do at least have an opportunity to make a good hire. 

Some of us in the community are keeping our fingers crossed. I have no inside information other than what’s been posted here. Hope someone wakes up and makes a good hire.

[Kegger]

I’ve always remembered that Tarkington didn’t have horrible athletes. Their facilities were among the worst and the ones that were worse have since upgraded. Seemed like a nice school to go to. The area seems like a decent place to raise a family. Not sure why they won’t take the necessary steps to improve. The only candidate I know that has applied is definitely thinking of it as a place long term but I’m sure a lot of coaches that take that job came with the same expectations.

[CDub86]

24 minutes ago, Kegger said:

I’ve always remembered that Tarkington didn’t have horrible athletes. Their facilities were among the worst and the ones that were worse have since upgraded. Seemed like a nice school to go to. The area seems like a decent place to raise a family. Not sure why they won’t take the necessary steps to improve. The only candidate I know that has applied is definitely thinking of it as a place long term but I’m sure a lot of coaches that take that job came with the same expectations.

Especially when most schools in the area have made improvements and taken steps to build programs. Case in point Shepherd, went to school there, terrible sports programs for years. Now they’ve built a solid program.

[Reagan]

28 minutes ago, CDub86 said:

Especially when most schools in the area have made improvements and taken steps to build programs. Case in point Shepherd, went to school there, terrible sports programs for years. Now they’ve built a solid program.

Concerning Shepherd, what do you think changed?

[CDub86]

3 minutes ago, Reagan said:

Concerning Shepherd, what do you think changed?

Not sure really but if I had to guess it’d be area growth. I’m sure coaching plays a part as well. Have friends whose boys played very recently and would constantly mention how much work the teams put in. Also helps when the players buy in and care.

[Kegger]

8 minutes ago, Reagan said:

Concerning Shepherd, what do you think changed?

They have had longevity of a head coach which is very beneficial. Also they have had some talent come through. Facilities have taken a big step forward as well.

[CDub86]

12 minutes ago, Kegger said:

They have had longevity of a head coach which is very beneficial. Also they have had some talent come through. Facilities have taken a big step forward as well.

They have definitely done a great job there. Far cry from when I was in school there lol.

[Reagan]

7 minutes ago, CDub86 said:

They have definitely done a great job there. Far cry from when I was in school there lol.

Just out of curiosity, who was the head coach when you was there?

[CDub86]

3 minutes ago, Reagan said:

Just out of curiosity, who was the head coach when you was there?

Don’t get me to lying buddy lol that was 20 plus ago. I do know that Gary Turner was AD for the majority of my HS run.

[Reagan]

8 minutes ago, CDub86 said:

Don’t get me to lying buddy lol that was 20 plus ago. I do know that Gary Turner was AD for the majority of my HS run.

Was 86 your graduation year?  If not, let me know and I can find out.  

[CDub86]

5 minutes ago, Reagan said:

Was 86 your graduation year?  If not, let me know and I can find out.  

Not that far back lol. 2004

[1KatKiller]

wasn't that Shane Hanks?? I thought he was the HFC there 04/05??

[StoneCold316]

3 minutes ago, 1KatKiller said:

wasn't that Shane Hanks?? I thought he was the HFC there 04/05??

Donald Hubbard. Shane Hanks was after him

[89Falcon]

1 hour ago, Kegger said:

They have had longevity of a head coach which is very beneficial. Also they have had some talent come through. Facilities have taken a big step forward as well.

There has been no “big step forward” on facilities in Shepherd. Better than Tarkington but no one else. 

[WhoDat]

1 hour ago, Kegger said:

They have had longevity of a head coach which is very beneficial. Also they have had some talent come through. Facilities have taken a big step forward as well.

Schools like Shepherd, Hardin, and Tarkington need staff consistency for sure. Schools with limited talent also have to adapt their schemes to fit their players, some fans/parents don't like that. Hardin had an outstanding year, but would they have been as successful had they remained in a spread offense? The same applies to Shepherd. Some towns want a flashy offense without the players to execute it. 

[89Falcon]

1 hour ago, CDub86 said:

Not sure really but if I had to guess it’d be area growth. I’m sure coaching plays a part as well. Have friends whose boys played very recently and would constantly mention how much work the teams put in. Also helps when the players buy in and care.

There has been no “area growth”. Enrollment declined and will do so again at next alignment. Will be 3A again next time. The current success in athletics is driven by the talent in the JR class. Going to be a struggle when they graduate.