February 21, 2014
Russell Rebirth
Former player Maynard takes over Red Devils football program
Aaron Snyder
The Independent
RUSSELL â Going back to Russell was a "definite goal" in TJ. Maynard's early coaching days.
After a few years at Raceland, the thought of returning to his roots scooted to the "back of his mind," but it was still undoubtedly there.
When the opportunity finally presented itself, it turned into the toughest decision of his life.
Maynard has been named Russell High School's head football coach, as officially announced on Thursday, but the days leading up to his final choice were "miserable."
Maynard, 43, has now completed his journey along the Greenup County triangle. He played at Russell from 1984-87 under area coaching legend Ivan McGlone before enjoying a four-year career at the University of Kentucky as a 6-foot-5 offensive lineman.
After pursuing a career path in accounting, he quickly realized teaching and coaching was his calling.
Maynard coached under Bill Baldridge, who had recruited him while at Morehead State, at Greenup County. He took the reins of the Musketeers in 1998 and compiled a 42-34 record in seven seasons at the helm. He is the winningest coach in Greenup County history.
Five seasons as a top Raceland assistant, mainly served as a defensive coordinator, followed. In four years as Raceland's head coach, his 34-16 record culminated with the program's first region championship and first state semifinal appearance. He also guided the Rams to their 500th program win.
By the time Maynard's former coach was relieved of his duties after 38 years in January, Maynard was entrenched in Raceland.
"Once I got to Raceland, I didn't know if I'd ever leave," Maynard said. "And then I didn't see myself ever leaving ⦠Once the (Russell) job did come open, I had to check into it. I felt like if I did not look into it, that I'd have major regrets."
There were two ultimate factors in Maynard's decision: daughters Alexis, a freshman, and Alyssa, a fifth-grader. Both have been Russell students from the time they started school because of the Maynards' residential location.
When Maynard met with his former Raceland players on Monday, he said he wasn't necessarily leaving them, but he was leaving to go with his family. Several players wished Maynard good luck in his next endeavor.
"I flip-flopped so much on this," Maynard admitted. "If you asked me one hour on one day, I'd say one way, and vice versa ⦠To be in the same building with those girls for the next seven years was a big drawing point. In this profession, if you do it right, you take a lot of time away from family. Seeing them in the hallway will be nice."
Maynard will be an instructor at the high school, but the details haven't been finalized for that position.
According to Russell athletic director Sam Sparks, the school received around 30 applications for the position, which hadn't been open since McGlone took over in 1976. Sparks said the school interviewed and/or talked to four prospective coaches. Maynard was interviewed on Sunday, Feb. 9.
"T.J. brings a lot of intangibles to this job that helped make him stand out as a candidate," Sparks wrote in an email. "His familiarity with our school district, community and established traditions of our entire school and community were all things that helped make this decision."
McGlone established a perennial power in the peak of his Russell career. He was 316-151 overall, ranking him seventh all-time in Kentucky high school football, and he won state titles in 1978 and 2005.
Those numbers are untouchable, said Maynard.
"I don't worry about following a legend," he said. "I will never match up to what he's done there. I look at this as an honor to be the next coach after coach McGlone, not as a burden. I look at it as a challenge to continue what he started."
Maynard and McGlone have spoken since he made the decision, and they had "a good conversation," Maynard said.
"I would love to get coach back involved somehow around the program," he added. "Hopefully, with me being a former player, maybe that can happen."
Under Maynard, Russell will move away from the Wing-T offensive formation.
"We'll be in some type of spread," Maynard said. "I'm not saying we'll go in there and throw it 30 times a game â it's all dictated and predicated on the type of players we have."
Maynard departed a good deal of talent at Raceland, but he inherits a similar pool of skill at Russell. The Red Devils were 7-5 last season â the junior varsity and freshman teams experienced successful falls.
"A football team is made from January to April, so we're a little behind the 8-ball," Maynard said. "We've got to get in that weight room, build team chemistry."
Maynard hopes to revive the Rail Cities Bowl series between Raceland and Russell. The schools didn't face off in 2013. That would be the only game in which Maynard could take satisfaction with Raceland losing, he said.
"I love Raceland," he said. "I love the kids, the community, the administration. That's what made it tough. They have a great coaching staff there, we all got along and have fun together.
"I haven't slept for three weeks," he continued. "It's been miserable, because the Raceland job is such a good job. Usually, a coach leaves to try to better themselves or leave a bad situation. That's not the case here."
The bulk of the supporting coaching staff will remain intact at Russell. Garry Morris, Lee Evans, Tracy Edwards and Dave Caniff have already committed to being Maynard's assistants. The coach said he'll likely add two more.
Maynard expressed interest in helping coach girls basketball and softball, both sports his daughters are involved in. Alyssa also plays soccer.
Russell will formally introduce Maynard as the Red Devils' head football coach in the high school library today at 3 p.m.
Next for Raceland
Raceland athletic director Bill Farley said the school is proud to have had a "great string of high-caliber football coaches," and that Maynard was "no exception.
"In my book, he's of the highest caliber of coach, and highest caliber of person," Farley said. "I always tell our coaches here, 'Never let your job overshadow your family.' T.J. believes the same."
Farley said there are absolutely no bitter feelings as a result of Maynard's exit.
As for naming his replacement, Farley said "we're not going to rush into anything, but we're not going to take a long time, either. Our goal is to get to the state championship, and we want the right person in that position to lead us to the carpet.
"I can't sit here and tell you in two weeks or a month, we'll have a head coach," he said. "But we (Supt. Larry Coldiron, high school principal Mickey Dixon and Farley) will work diligently as we go through applications and the interview process.
"We have about 184 days before kickoff," he added.
