[Spud6]

Pike Central requires an experienced coach who can effectively manage parental involvement, ensuring they contribute positively to the program. Continuing to hire the same coaches will only yield predictable outcomes, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul. While Elkins shows promise, he requires mentorship to reach his potential as a head coach and can see him in that role in the future. Rehiring Shawn Thacker would be a significant misstep; instead, the program needs an outsider capable of instilling a winning tradition. Without such changes, the cycle of underperformance will persist.

Who can Pike Central draw to do that though? You think they have enough draw to get a respected coach to do the things you are saying?  Cause I agree with you 100% on everything you said needs to happen.

Facilities, facilities, facilities. Plus their AD is not a football guy. Never understood why they have not gotten turf yet. Do they even have a weight room and weight training class that football players are required to take? Seems like the Varney guy was a guy who the parents felt they could control. The next coach can’t be that guy.

Fair statement on facilities.  While turf is beautiful and takes away the need to paint every week, there are too many injury statistics related to turf.  However, I’d rather have a smaller indoor practice facility with turf.  If you really take care of a good grass field, like Middlesboro, it’s way better.  As far as the weight room & “Advanced PE” classes they have both of those.  Is it he curriculum and expectations set with high standards? Idk.  I do know that the guys there do want the program to succeed.  And sacrifice lots of time.  There comes a time where player discipline and behavior has to fall on the player.  I can’t say that it would even always fall on the parent bc I’ve had siblings that act completely different from each other even though they have been patented the same way.  Discipline and accountability has to be in the recipe moving forward.  And the “if this don’t happen, I’m going to Pikeville” (or insert any school here) has to stop.  I say let them go.  The culture built on entitlement is not sustainable.

I agree with you on grass is better than turf and I'd say 90% of people share the same sentiment.  But the board has made it evident that they are not going to keep the field in proper order because there is pot holes all over the field that an ankle can get caught in easily.