[Wildcat18]

I don't believe I was there for the incident you mentioned. Seems like you even said that too?

Not sure on the details of that day. I can tell you that there are a ton of possible variables. Maybe those guys were stressed? Maybe a parent had just laid into them? Maybe they didn't use the right tone or words with you? All those are certainly possible.

If you are talking about Greg Mitchell - I can say that I don't always agree with him either. However there is absolutely ZERO chance that the KMSFA would exist, much less be anywhere close to as successful without the direction and vision and hard work of that man. No one had worked harder for this association than him. What he had done is nothing short of amazing. Is he short sometimes in how he speaks? Sure. I'm a grown man. I deal with adults all the time who aren't always nice and sweet with how they talk. I am not thin skinned. When he and I have disagreed on things, I speak my piece no matter what. He and I understand one another just fine.

If the other man you were speaking of was Phil Hawkins, I will say similarly that these All Star events are on a whole other level than other supposed "football states" around us because of him. I know that because states like TN, OH, PA, etc. have come here and watched how we do things. We've met with them and shown them how we developed the KMSFA.

Look, I'm not writing to say you're not a man or anything like that. Guys get in the heat of the moment and say things they shouldn't or in a way that isn't always polite. Is it right? Probably not. But if we all went around pouting about hurt feelings, would we ever get anything done?

There are people on this very message board who are at least subtly accusing us of "padding our pockets". I'm not getting all huffy. I know the truth. Heck, part of me wishes I could parlay this into a part time gig, but that's not why Greg and I started this organization. We are proud of the fact of what we do with no paid staff, no set budget annually, and with changing membership numbers every year.

I think a lot gets lost in translation on these posts too. Anyone who has ever spoken with me personally knows that I'm not a sarcastic person. I laugh and joke as much as anyone. I love getting to Lexington and interacting with coaches and players and parents from all over our state. I think that 99% of those interactions with this association are positive. To me, that says we are doing things right.

That's very possible if those scenarios are accurate. The problem with me wasn't necessarily their verbal actions directly toward me. It was their actions IN FRONT OF THE KIDS. That's the problem I have. If someone has something negative to say to me, that's fine. I can take that. I'm far from thin skinned. We try to teach our kids to be disciplined and to act respectful on and off the football field. The KMSFA president exhibited the exact opposite of what we are trying to teach. That's a big problem for me. You're role models for numerous people (players, parents, other coaches, even other states trying to duplicate what you all have created here). You folks are in a much bigger role while representing the KMSFA. It's more than coach talk, he's the face of the Association. I've always lived by the fact that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. That's the definition of this scenario I suppose.

I'm sure everyone involved works extremely hard to make this whole thing work. I'm grateful for all of your efforts. I have no questions about the finances because I know they're put to good use with the state playoffs, FBU national tournaments, the east/west all-star games, the pre-season passing tournaments, etc. I've experienced a bit of all of those in the last few years (and won all but one of those I just mentioned...just for the record LOL).

I appreciate your response. Good luck to your teams this weekend.