Bluegrassrivals

For the fifth time in nine years, Paul Laurence Dunbar is looking for a new football coach.

Jason Howell has resigned after Dunbar went 3-19 in his two years on the job. The Bulldogs lost their last 6 games in his first season and finished 1-10. They lost their last 7 games this season and wound up 2-9.

Howell said he told Dunbar principal Anthony Orr two weeks ago that he was stepping down.

“It was one of those quiet step-away type of things, no hoopla surrounding it,” Howell said of his resignation.

“It’s for personal reasons, not just one thing. I feel like the program is on stable footing right now. Everything is good to go with it. It’s just time to let somebody else take it the next step.”

Howell wished Dunbar could have won more games, “but no matter how much you improve, sometimes you’re out-manned and out-experienced. Growth has occurred the last two years. We have some great kids who worked hard, and now they have some experience under their belt that will a big help to them next year.”

Howell said he is “absolutely not done with coaching.” For the time being he will remain at Dunbar, where he also serves as an assistant baseball coach under Larry Poynter.

There has been a revolving door on the Dunbar football office this decade. Mike Meighan started the Bulldogs’ program when the school opened in 1990, and he led it for 11 years. Since Meighan retired after the 2000 season, Dunbar has had four coaches — Mark Peach (2001-02), Fred Barnott (2003-04), David Hensley (2005-07) and Howell (2008-09).

Howell, a Pikeville native, was an assistant at Tates Creek before taking the Dunbar head coachingn position
http://fieldsnotes.bloginky.com/

Stardust Wrote:For the fifth time in nine years, Paul Laurence Dunbar is looking for a new football coach.

Jason Howell has resigned after Dunbar went 3-19 in his two years on the job. The Bulldogs lost their last 6 games in his first season and finished 1-10. They lost their last 7 games this season and wound up 2-9.

Howell said he told Dunbar principal Anthony Orr two weeks ago that he was stepping down.

“It was one of those quiet step-away type of things, no hoopla surrounding it,” Howell said of his resignation.

“It’s for personal reasons, not just one thing. I feel like the program is on stable footing right now. Everything is good to go with it. It’s just time to let somebody else take it the next step.”

Howell wished Dunbar could have won more games, “but no matter how much you improve, sometimes you’re out-manned and out-experienced. Growth has occurred the last two years. We have some great kids who worked hard, and now they have some experience under their belt that will a big help to them next year.”

Howell said he is “absolutely not done with coaching.” For the time being he will remain at Dunbar, where he also serves as an assistant baseball coach under Larry Poynter.

There has been a revolving door on the Dunbar football office this decade. Mike Meighan started the Bulldogs’ program when the school opened in 1990, and he led it for 11 years. Since Meighan retired after the 2000 season, Dunbar has had four coaches — Mark Peach (2001-02), Fred Barnott (2003-04), David Hensley (2005-07) and Howell (2008-09).

Howell, a Pikeville native, was an assistant at Tates Creek before taking the Dunbar head coachingn position
http://fieldsnotes.bloginky.com/

Ah, my old buddy "Redbull Howell". Pikeville baseball has not been the same since he left. What a charactor he was. He is missed in the 15th region.

I had heard a few rumors around town last week before Howell stepped down that Middlesboro's Coach Kenny Roark might be interested in the job at Dunbar.

Why would Dunbar be interested in a guy that's (supposedly) getting ready to be run out of Middlesboro? Plus, there's a big difference in 1A football and 6A football.

wonder who the candidates for the job will be?

Dunbar admin does not care about athletics, if they win great, if they lose, no problem. Until that attitude changes the Dawgs will always be average to below average. Its a shame, they could be REALLY good.

ole ball coach Wrote:Dunbar admin does not care about athletics, if they win great, if they lose, no problem. Until that attitude changes the Dawgs will always be average to below average. Its a shame, they could be REALLY good.

They have won two state championships in baseball over the last 5 years haven't they?

If you haven't been in Dunbar, you just don't know. Again, if you win, great, if not, no biggie-but they will do nothing to help you. Great they won 2 titles in baseball, but if they lost every game there would be no consequence. Dunbar runs football coaches off, proof is in the track record.

But why? Is there not enough support from the booster club to overcome a lack of administrative support? It seems like they have the facilities and talent to be a relevant title contender year after year but they always struggle.

From what I understand the Admin. allowed the parents to run off a very good coach in Coach Hensley. You cannot be a successful program if you change coaches every two years.

They should go after Somersets Coach Lucus, and hire him on an intern basis for about 10 years.

So what about Coach Peach or Coach Howell that just left? What were their reasons for leaving?

Jackson05 Wrote:Why would Dunbar be interested in a guy that's (supposedly) getting ready to be run out of Middlesboro? Plus, there's a big difference in 1A football and 6A football.

Rumor is he has been looking elsewhere for a while now. He wants his son at a Big Time School like a 6A in Lexington. His son has great talent at the QB position. Roark has won a State Championship, many Regional Titles, and many State Semi appearences. Roark also played for UK and was a free agent in the NFL for 2 teams. His days at his alter mater has came to its finest end. Dont forget Roark BEAT Lex Dunbar in 2008 in a Bowl game at Corbin. Matter of fact Middlesboro drilled Dunbar.

DUNBAR IS A DEAD END JOB. It is a mess and has been a mess for a while, and to be honest while 6a is great, you got a long way to go to even be competitive in your city, let alone in the class. Administration is a mess, they bow down to people with money and influence and that makes life tough in a contact sport.

whats-it-2u Wrote:DUNBAR IS A DEAD END JOB. It is a mess and has been a mess for a while, and to be honest while 6a is great, you got a long way to go to even be competitive in your city, let alone in the class. Administration is a mess, they bow down to people with money and influence and that makes life tough in a contact sport.

There's rumblings that two of Bell's assistants may apply for the job. Hunk Johnson which co-coordinates the offense and Carlos Humfleet the special teams coach. IDK????