[Old School Hound]

I know some of the answers but I'm gonna let some of you guys opine on this question first. Boyle County has an incredible history of success , dating back decades now. Dominant teams, double-digit state titles.  Corbin, on the other hand, is in the throws of a 42 year drought in terms of state titles?   Why the difference?  By all measures, Corbin should be as successful as Boyle. They have all the advantages that a great program should have, including championship-level talent, year in and year out. Talent certainly is not an issue. Facilities is not the issue. youth feeder programs is not the issue. So, what IS the issue?   Why are two schools , so similar in many ways  so disparate in their ultimate successes ?  I know some will say that Corbin has had some bad breaks over the years, But 0 titles in 42 years is much more than a few bad breaks.

Why has Corbin not enjoyed the same level of championship success that Boyle has over the past few decades, when, on the surface, they should be just as successful?

[Khalisimo]

geography plays a role
corbin is in several counties, boyle is not one of them.

[Medusa]

One reason Boyle is better, is they have a kid named Montavin Quisenburry. If he was in Redhounds uniform last year to go along with the Grizzlies, how easily would it been for Corbin to had a title and what about if he was on this years team? Kids that good.

[Old School Hound]

One reason Boyle is better, is they have a kid named Montavin Quisenburry.  If he was in Redhounds uniform last year to go along with the Grizzlies, how easily would it been for Corbin to had a title and what about if he was on this years team?  Kids that good.

I'm talking about over the past three decades, not just this season or last. Why has Boyle had more ultimate success over the course of more than a quarter century? That is due to a lot more than one player.

[Medusa]

Actually that is a very good question OSH. I’d say it mostly boils down to coaching. I think Boyle has had better coaching and less political stuff affecting who they play at certain positions. Had Danville to recruit from to. Danville had a super rich tradition.

[Old School 18]

Idk about the last 3 decades why but we all know what the problem since 2019 has been.

[know1]

I think it's coaching and leadership. And that means a lot more than just running practices and calling plays. It's about starting player development in grade school, amongst other things.

Under Chuck Smith, it took several years to even have moderate success since they were starting from such a low place. But then they won 5 championships in a row. That was a big factor as well because it built a lot of enthusiasm, belief and established expectations.

They have had some down years since then under various coaches, but they weren't afraid to move quickly to fix that before that foundation started to erode.

[WV4213]

Idk about the last 3 decades why but we all know what the problem since 2019 has been.

Coaching! Under Coach Salmons, I think it will be different. Time to ride!

[i82much]

I don't know the demographics of either school system so I may be wrong...so...here we go. Most of the time when you have a small and/or rural school with great success over time it's because students in surrounding districts want to play there. For example, straight across the river from Ashland, Ky. you have Ironton, Ohio. My dad attended Ironton High School. I've heard him say countless times if you were an athlete in Rock Hill, Symmes Valley, Chesapeake, South Point, Cole Grove then you went to Ironton to play football. No one called you, no one recruited you, you just wanted to play there. When "hall of fame" coach Bob Lutz retired and the surrounding districts put money into new stadiums, etc. the flow slowed down and Ironton became somewhat normal. Over the last few years the flow has started back and they are slowly returning to the Ironton of old. I'm guessing this type of thing is a major factor in Boyle's achievements versus Corbin's. Again, I want to emphasize, I'm not talking about recruiting and I'm not pointing fingers. As I said earlier, I don't know "didley" about either school district so I may be wrong.

[FCSPY]

Chuck smith changed the culture in Boyle that will last for years to come.. average kids do great things... .Haddix has added in the draw of high profile athletes to add to the mix... taking another step forward.. The years Boyle was growing into a Dynasty.. Corbin was being reduced to mediocrity... They have returned to prominence but can not over come the teams ahead of them... That's the main reasons.. as far as how that happened Corbin posters all seem to have an ideal..

[know1]

I meant to add to my post that it's far more difficult to climb a hill than to stay on top of it. Chuck Smith did an amazing job of climbing the hill with Boyle...and it took him quite some time to do it. The things that were learned on the climb help keep you there. And the Boyle program hasn't let itself slip down very far from the top of the hill since.

[Big Boomer]

Chuck Smith did for Boyle what Bear Bryant did for Alabama, that helped all that followed achieve success easier with the tone already set.
I think for Corbin if you could pick the the biggest issues would be micro managing boomers in charge that ran off Haddix and have stunted every other coach too and honestly in recent time and the cancer of wanting Haddix back. I feel like that book is closed on that and its time to move on, his success is unique to Boyle.
I do think that hiring Salmons was a great move and I fully believe he has the perfect storm to get them over the hump. I think he will build off of what is already good in the program but he has and will continue to expand on the player development in a way similar to McPeek at Frederick Douglass. he isn't a politician like previous coaches, he is a players coach. the buy in at the field house was immediate. I think with a lot of the micro managers retiring out either this past year and or leaving soon, I think Salmons is going to have a opportunity that Haddix never had during his tenure to set the path for success without road blocks and tons of support from the new people that are in place now. I think he gets them over the hump in the very near future. its exciting times in Hound Town.

[Rebel55]

One part on titles is Boyle County has been in the way. If not for them Corbin would have won it all in 2017, 2022, and 2023. That would be 3 out of the last 7 years. Corbin is taking the right steps to get to the top of the mountain.

[Hatz]

I meant to add to my post that it's far more difficult to climb a hill than to stay on top of it. Chuck Smith did an amazing job of climbing the hill with Boyle...and it took him quite some time to do it. The things that were learned on the climb help keep you there. And the Boyle program hasn't let itself slip down very far from the top of the hill since.

Actually it began in small steps right away.  Chuck Smith's first team went to the playoffs and lost a 3 point heartbreaker to Corbin.  After a losing season 2, Rebels again made the playoffs and beat Corbin only to lose in the 2nd round.  If memory serves, Danville's juggernaught was in their way in '94, and '95.  In '96 they broke the glass ceiling beating Danville and making the semi-finals only to lose to eventual 2 time champ Breathitt 12-7.  I think at that point, Smith and the Rebels knew they could compete on a state level.  '97 was undefeated but lost in the mire to a team they had already beaten badly.  '98 Bobby Leffew was hurt and out for the season and the Rebels struggled to a winning mark but Lex Cath was too much for them.  '99 was the first of 3 straight 15-0 seasons and the Rebels went rolling along from there.  

Boyle had a winning tradition under Ed Rall in the 70's and early 80's but by 1984 the talent and administration support for the program went south and never recovered until Chuck Smith.

[HighViz]

I’m not even gonna give my 2 cents here. There is a lot of stuff I ? disagree with above. And a lot of stuff I agree with, with the Corbin problems.

I will say this though. The Boyle Folk aren’t giving Haddix near the credit he deserves. Chuck wasn’t gonna leave a team he could win 4-5 more championships with. Believe that. No coach in the history of the game willingly does that.

---

Boyle keeps talkin like that he may be right back to where I can see him from the porch. Or on TV.

[Jack Lambert]

I meant to add to my post that it's far more difficult to climb a hill than to stay on top of it. Chuck Smith did an amazing job of climbing the hill with Boyle...and it took him quite some time to do it. The things that were learned on the climb help keep you there. And the Boyle program hasn't let itself slip down very far from the top of the hill since.

Actually it began in small steps right away.  Chuck Smith's first team went to the playoffs and lost a 3 point heartbreaker to Corbin.  After a losing season 2, Rebels again made the playoffs and beat Corbin only to lose in the 2nd round.  If memory serves, Danville's juggernaught was in their way in '94, and '95.  In '96 they broke the glass ceiling beating Danville and making the semi-finals only to lose to eventual 2 time champ Breathitt 12-7.  I think at that point, Smith and the Rebels knew they could compete on a state level.  '97 was undefeated but lost in the mire to a team they had already beaten badly.  '98 Bobby Leffew was hurt and out for the season and the Rebels struggled to a winning mark but Lex Cath was too much for them.  '99 was the first of 3 straight 15-0 seasons and the Rebels went rolling along from there.  

Boyle had a winning tradition under Ed Rall in the 70's and early 80's but by 1984 the talent and administration support for the program went south and never recovered until Chuck Smith.

Well said and very accurate Hatz!!!

[Big Boomer]

One part on titles is Boyle County has been in the way.  If not for them Corbin would have won it all in 2017, 2022, and 2023.  That would be 3 out of the last 7 years.  Corbin is taking the right steps to get to the top of the mountain.

agreed, they have been the only team that has been able to contain Quisenberry enough to keep the game tight the whole game the last two seasons and there is something to be said about that. that kid is special and an absolute cheat code on the football field.

[Wildcat09]

The Collapse Of Danville Played a Huge Role in Boyles Rise Community Support For Danville Football Used to be Massive And Know all That Energy and Community Support Has Gone To Boyle

[insideinfo]

Geography, and they seldom have the talent that some of there fans thank they do. If you listen to there fans they always have an excuse when they lose. It’s never the other team was just better than us.

[know1]

Geography, and they seldom have the talent that some of there fans thank they do. If you listen to there fans they always have an excuse when they lose. It’s never the other team was just better than us.

Are you talking about Boyle or Corbin?

[Hatz]

The Collapse Of Danville Played a Huge Role in Boyles Rise Community Support For Danville Football Used to be Massive And Know all That Energy and Community Support Has Gone To Boyle

If we are talking the last 4 years or so, I can agree.  But Boyle generated titles and talent and support when Danville was still King of the Hill in their Class.  In fact in 2000 and 2001 and 2003 Danville's only loss was to Boyle as they claimed 3 state titles. The fall of the Admiral Empire has accelerated Boyle's continuing rise but after 25 years, I think Boyle has risen.  

[insideinfo]

Geography, and they seldom have the talent that some of there fans thank they do. If you listen to there fans they always have an excuse when they lose. It’s never the other team was just better than us.

Are you talking 

Corbin

[Old School Hound]

Bottomline, and Viz, Bull, and other Hounds know this--- Corbin, for decades has been beset by an insidious malignancy known as good ol' boy politics. It has cost them many state titles over the past four decades. Whereas it appears the people around Boyle's program have always acted in the interest of winning titles, Corbin has had too many sycophants and ego-driven, self important , old @ssholes who have interjected themselves into the business of Corbin football. These are people that have no business having any say so in the matter of Corbin athletics. At Boyle, it seems, the ultimate goal is to win championships. Kids are put into a position that maximizes their opportunity to be successful. The best athletes play on both sides of the ball, if it makes the team better. There is no mommy and daddy ball. Everyone around the program does whatever it takes to make the team matter. Individual accomplishments pale in comparison to team goals. It's all about winning... and sacrificing... for the betterment of the team.

It hasn't been that way at Corbin. In Corbin you have a cabal of old geezers and hangers on who want to still be relevant. Their egos won't allow them to do what best for the team. Personal agendas are the order of the day in Corbin. If mamas and daddies don't want little Johnny playing on defense, well, that's the way it is. I've been witness to playoff games where Corbin's best offensive weapon wasn't even used. I've seen three-star guys totally misused and abused, hurting the team. I've seen four-star guys that could have delivered a state title had they been used on offense. At Boyle County, they would have been on the field at all times. Therein lies the difference between Corbin and Boyle. At Boyle, the modus operandi is doing whatever it takes to win a title. At Corbin, the priority is catering to the whims of ego-driven has beens. Winning titles can only happen if the local politics haven't inflicted enough collateral damage to kill any hopes of a title. Corbin had a tremendously talented team in 2021, but that team was torn apart by the politics of dissension, egotism, malignant narcissism , and numerous personal agendas. That's something that appears to be absent, for the most part, at Boyle County.

Just the thoughts of a crazy old guy who's watched it happen for over fifty years...

[plantmanky]

Boyle Co went from a Football Program to a family

Corbin is still just a Football Program.

[Old School Hound]

Boyle Co went from a Football Program to a family

Corbin is still just a Football Program.

What do you know about families?  You're a plant.

[ROTC]

Boyle is undoubtedly doing a better job of taking the recruits they get and winning with them. Periodt!

Even the KHSAA and possibly UK pitching in couldn’t elevate Corbin to exceed Boyle’s efforts.

The answer to this thread is a no brainer!!!!

Who will be the next big round of tri-county athletes or SC KY kids to be drawn into each program and what will be done with them to win more titles?

[TD Hounds]

Chuck Smith > Steve Jewel
Justin Haddix >>>>> Tommy Greer

[Bull got out!]

Why is Corbin not Boyle County???? Old School Hound ask. 

 and the cancer of wanting Haddix back 

As long as Haddix is winning Championships at Boyle County and Corbin isn't winning a title, you will have comments just like what you see above. I get it, not everyone is a Haddix fan. Now, on my behalf, there is a lot to this situation and honestly, I don't feel like at game 4 of the season, this topic needs to resurface every so often. This is more of offseason stuff. Corbin has obviously moved on. Nothing I can say will change any decisions that are made anywhere. I will put my suggestions on here publicly though. There is alot to be learned from successful programs and coaching changes. Its not a secret. I always look at it like this. If a group of people who has the power to hire or make a change, makes those decisions wisely then your program will either grow stronger or begin to decline as a direct result of your decision making. One thing I will say about Corbin is, the program is top notch. Love watching a game there, I can't complain about anything about how that program treats their players. They put those players first. Now, I'm not going in reverse and start to pinpoint stuff that I know for a fact happened. Coaches have retired, moved on, coaching somewhere else, taking new roles and a lot of changes are happening in Corbin. The new head coach deserves a chance to make his legacy without distractions. I like the guy. I enjoy how he is simple at halftime and straight to the point. He seems like a good dude. I am shocked with how good Corbin looks at this part of the season. I have bragged as much as anyone on this team. For those who want to bash Corbin talent, well you must not know talent. Corbin has put some of the best talent in the state on the field the last couple of years. In my opinion, you will see some of the state's best talent on the field right now. I fully expect more talent to come to play for Salmons. He is a nice guy. If you haven't seen the current QB, I advise you to go and watch Corbin this season. Kade "Kid" Elam is in my opinion the best QB in the state of Kentucky. Corbin and Boyle because of the Haddix situation is no doubt going to draw a lot of attention of what ifs. Haddix has become my favorite head coach to watch and learn from on his game film. He is different. He is a hard worker and a winner. If anyone can't see the results on the field they just don't want to. There is not a doubt in my mind if Haddix would have stayed at Corbin, Corbin would have some championships. We will never know though. The way I follow football, if a team is serious about winning and in a situation to hire a coach, you have to make the call to the hottest coach in Kentucky right now and that's Justin. 4 titles in a row, working on a 5th if the season ends the way it has the last 4. As long as Corbin and Boyle are playing for 3rd through 5th round elimination games or State Championships, no doubt there will always be that curiosity of what may have been. Corbin has to focus on the new direction they have chosen. Learn from the past, assist the coach the best you can and in every way. Boyle needs to make sure not to make the mistake of letting a Justin Haddix slip to the opposite sideline and especially if it's in the same Class. A simpler answer to this whole thread is, Boyle has made some good decisions and obviously it has paid off. Simple as that. 

[BEChargers]

It's fairly simple to be honest. Corbin has success LONG before Boyle, including state titles. Boyle had some good teams throughout their history, but never a steady maintained program, mostly hit or miss seasons. When Chuck came along Boyle had a Superintendent who wanted the program to take shape. It had a principal who was all for it as well. That principal was Tom Brown, who was a football guy and who's son is the current head coach at the University of West Virginia. Most of the year before Chuck arrived, Boyle had 3 or 4 paid coaches at most. Sometimes not that many. Chuck got the support the program had never had before and he used it to build what Boyle eventually became.

Corbin on the other hand had a history of success to compete with, while Boyle did not. Chuck gets a lot of credit for everything that happened and he should. But one of the things he did the best was not paying any attention to parents or outside influences. Boyle has had the right administrators in place ever since. They've been fortunate in that regard. There really isn't any good old boys trying to influence things. With each new Super and high school principal, nobody wants to be the administration to screw things up.

BTW, the Rebel fans love Coach Haddix. We are fortunate to have him. He is so creative offensively that I seriously worry about him jumping to the college ranks. If his kids were either younger or older I would be REALLY worried but they are at that age where you don't want to miss anything they do. College coaching makes that pretty tough. Also I don't know why it continually needs to be said but.......he is never returning to coach at Corbin.

[FCSPY]

Did Greer to more at Corbin than Haddix?