[#1 Blackcat Fan]

I am not to bad to add my thoughts to these type of debates, however, I would like to add my observations as totally an outsider who also knows quite a bit about Paintsville and their sports history, the players both athletically, administratively, and politically, and the overall scope of athletics in the Big Sandy Region. However, to come to an understanding of where Paintsville should go moving forward, they need to understand where they come from. So, lets break it down like this....

-Should Jim Tom Allen have been forced out?

A. Absolutely not. Jim Tom had paid his dues and won games and competed in every game while he was there. His teams were fundamentally sound, stong, and comparably fast with everyone they played against. His following success with Pburgs program is just more proof he was a quality coach who should have still been there.

-Should Coach Kinner have been hired following Allen's departure?

A. I don't see why not. Remember, Kinner was young, but so has every other coach at Paintsville when they took over the reigns of their respective sports. He had great pedigree, playing experience, and from all accounts was ready then and will make a great head coach. Plus, he was a Paintsville guy......Everyone knows....EVERYONE!!... that Paintsville fans, staff, and alumni want one of their own. I don't care if it were Dudley Hilton, Phillip Haywood, or Nick Saban, Paintsville people still want Paintsville people coaching their sports. I also don't buy the "John Doe or James Doe" applied and was looked over. Yeah, I am sure they applied, but it was because they wanted to see how much money would have been involved, how many classes they had to teach, facilities, etc. That doesn't mean they would have taken the job even if offered.

-How much affect has Johnson Central had on program?

A. Tremendous! Not because they are taking "Paintsville" kids, but because they are keeping their own. Did this hapen because of Kinner? No, because it had already began happening several years before, when Matney arrived.

-Is the Paintsville talent level on par to what it normally is?

A. Not even close. I read a statement earlier where someone said there could have been two to three all state potential kids on this past years team. You got to be kidding me. The talent level is below mediocre. And sadly, it doesnt appear it is getting any better. Its not only football, all of Paintsville's sports are struggling currently. Direct result of the lack of talent.

-Are there intangibles at play here?

A. More than people realize. Kinner's assistant staff is questionable at best. Now whether that falls on Kinner or the Administration is not something I can answer. I do know that adequate assistant coaching help is hard for anyone to find.
Another factor is scheduling. This is something that probably does fall on Kinner. If I were him, beginning my coaching career, Pburg and Lawrence County would not be on my schedule. I dont care if Lawrence lost 100 in a row. Thats just me.
Finally, this is something a lot of people havent thought about. Why the decline in Paintsville talent???? Because Paintsville graduates/athletes, didnt raise their families in Paintsville. The 70's, 80's, 90's were full of 2nd and sometimes 3rd generation athletes. Some of those same players that were great in that time, don't raise their families in Paintsville now. Thus, resulting in a huge decline in the talent pool.

-So, finally, should Kinner still be the Coach next year?

A. I have to say yes. Many of his faults are a result of growing pains that have probably been corrected or at least understood by now. However the majority of his problems are simply a lack of talent that very few coaches could overcome. Are there changes he needs to make? Of course, every coach has to step back and evaluate what is working and what isn't, not only from an X and O standpoint, but also in how you interact with administration, parents, players, etc. Ultimately, once he changes his schedule he should be able to field a competitve, healthy team before playoffs begin. Then with some consistency, Paintsville will be able to compete with everyone they are suppossed to.

Just my opinion....

Nice Post. Good breakdown.