[NextGeneration]

The last 3 years has been much less than expected. 7-26. How long do we continue to play this same song and dance , wait till next year we are young. At this point I do believe the superintendent Steve Martin has made it almost impossible for Coach Massengill to be successful. He has tried to run this program and not allowed any sort of discipline. It doesn't matter what happens, Martin continues to go over the coaches head and allow kids to stay and play. Until we establish some sort of discipline , it stays the same and may be lost to this staff and Martin.

2017 is a new year ,can Middlesboro find a way to bounce back and be successful. I would like to see the schedule, heard it is considerably softer. Which may help get back on track. Please post if you have it, with thoughts on how can we bounce back.

[Gitback Coach]

Barring the obvious/best solution (ousting the current superintendent), patience and a softer schedule are the Jackets' best alternatives.

Nothing they can do about their district schedule and I'm sure Bell and Pineville will remain. Leslie County still has a year of play on the current contract. If I were Massengill, I likely would try to keep Paris and Harlan both under contract, too.

That just leaves two possible downgrades: Whitley County and South Laurel. With some good fortune, maybe MHS can schedule a couple of possible wins in those two slots.

[Trashtalker]

They didn't play Leslie county....

[Trashtalker]

Has anyone thought that maybe the talent level just went to heck? How can you blame Steve Martin when anyone could of came in and not done any better... Weather the faithful people of Bell county, Kentucky wanna believe it or not when jobs leave kids leave.... All the schools in the county had poor football years. And the future doesn't look much brighter IMO...... So mommy and daddy's that are butt hurt because little Johnny wasn't any good it's not anyone's fault... Steve Martin is a stickler for discipline and to say that he's letting kids get away with anything is absurd. Hopefully with a new schedule and weight room things will start to upswing for the Jackets!!

[NextGeneration]

So you are saying that Coach Massengill is the one allowing all these discipline issues to go on and letting them play? Don't think so. He was told to let them play. Every now and again coaches have to develop talent and adjust to talent you have. IMO we do not adjust to any of the above. Schedule will play a very big role in the fact if we have more than one win this season. Can someone post the schedule? As far as the weight room, you have to use it before it is effective. Just like Bell County, we need new leadership from top to bottom, period. Every knows the definition of insanity, and we continue with the same and expect a different outcome. I will give Bell County one thing, they change when it is not working. They still don't know how to change but they try to change.

[Trashtalker]

I don't think Steve Martin gives a free pass to anyone! So imply that how you see fit. I don't think that anyone wants to win more then Massengil but I don't know that he has the kids to do it! Toughest district in southern Kentucky IMO. As far as Bell high fixing anything if Coach Mills didn't do a few things that hurt him he would still be there... So don't start on they do things right trash!

[NextGeneration]

Bell do things right......that is a laugh. I agree with you. Face it Martin has himself in a pickle, hired his best friends son. Just several months ago you and the band of merry men here in town was talking about all the talent and how it was going to turn around. Now when this staff ,which should include the Martin brothers, can not do it , it is the kids and no talent. Very sad. My statement about Bell was they are now changing after a year of non sense. We can't ....you know why. That is why it all needs to be cleaned out and start fresh. I think you know it deep down. These kids will not play for these guys. My son was in it and knows all the things I speak of, so do you.

[Trashtalker]

In all my posts you can never quote me saying we were loaded with talent. I don't need a band of merry men for anything... I can speak for myself and do. We have not had good seasons agree with you 100% But my point is I don't know that any coach could of done better. Since your boy didn't play the position he wanted you are all arms about Martin.... I'd say if they don't win some games this year that the coaching staff will be gone....... Then who will want it??? Maybe Les Miles will still be free or would that be a Martin hand pick as well?..... Yea you speak of so much truth when was the last time Leslie County was on the schedule??? Keep digging bud

[Trashtalker]

Hear the schedule is
Bell
Pineville
Clairborne
Clay
Harlan
South Laurel
LCA
Danville
Sommerset
Williamsburg
Was the last I heard but that's been since the start of basketball

[NextGeneration]

what playmakers did Middlesboro lose? They have a stacked class of skilled kids with another year experience![/QUOTE]

Then went on to say at least .500 with the talent returning.

With that schedule may have 2 wins, Pineville and I know nothing about Claiborne. Is that enough?
Who would want it ...nobody. Who should have to coach them ..Martin and his brother. I also here some players and a coach maybe leaving? You said they were happy and going no where. The one coach has not been happy for a while.

As long as this leadership and coaching is in place , biggest mistake ever for my son.

[Trashtalker]

Last year before some dismissals and injurys they had a great looking skill kids.... A few were injured a few were dismissed and a few quit.... I'm not happy with the way the last few years have turned out... But who is i know Massengil and Martin aren't either.... You must be in the loop pretty good then... Because I haven't heard kids leaving or a coach... Since your boy is gone why don't you go follow him and stop on the hating wagon... or are you trying to live your glory days through BGR....

[HCS]

I don't think the last three years have been a surprise at all. I wrote on several threads that Middlesboro would struggle for three or four years. I think they should be better next year.

[NextGeneration]

You would think so HCS , but now some of the middle school have left and some of the players are not playing. For this team when you miss a few it doesn't get much better. Reality, this team could win 2-3 games next year if the rest that is left stay here when Dudley gets on the hill. Some have already looked into a transfer. This thing could even get worse, if that is possible.

Trashman , I just call it like I see it. Records and facts have backed my every statement. It is time for a change, if Dudley comes it may be all that can save this program.

[Trashtalker]

Ol Dudley is your answer what are you gonna do when the Dud is gone? Lost 1 middle school kid.... Records speak for themselves your right but will have to wait and see...

[NextGeneration]

You may have misunderstood, Dudley is our worst nightmare. To combat that the only answer IMO is to make a fresh start for us . Dudley answers nothing for Middlesboro.

[Gitback Coach]

They didn't play Leslie county....

Lost to them in the first round of the playoffs last fall--or did they forfeit?

The contract for their final regular season game (Williamsburg) is up for renewal, too. I could see where MHS might be inclined to NOT renew in hopes of securing an easier opponent, but that would be pretty sad. I think Massengill (Martin?) will renew that one, too.

I've been watching Yellow Jacket football since Walt Green was head coach, and I've NEVER seen it in such sorry shape as this. Massengill is a good, young coach. For his sake, I hope he survives.

I blame Martin.

[jacket-pride]

Look I'm always optimistic but things aren't looking good. If some of the rumors are true I'm hearing and it seems to be true then things are getting worse. I hope I am wrong I don't see this team winning more than 4 and that's with the much easier schedule. Maybe 4 games is enough around here now. And I'm not on board with blaming anyone I think it's a combination of a few things.

[Trashtalker]

That's the problem everyone has someone to blame. I don't see how you can blame Martin but that's me. I think that the times are changing and kids aren't wanting to put forth the work and effort to do what they need to do now.... But i also understand it would be hard to put that work in all summer long to win 1 game a year! I think a lot of things contribute to the decline in recent years but hopefully we can win some ball games this year and move forward!

[jacket-pride]

Agreed! Trying to blame all of this on any one person is nonsense.

[NextGeneration]

With all due respect, is it just the kids here, because other schools are having kids work hard. That is a coaches job to motivate them to work hard. JMO

[NextGeneration]

Agreed! Trying to blame all of this on any one person is nonsense.

Or blaming the kids!!!!!

Where does the buck stop, what do you do? continue?

[jacket-pride]

Or blaming the kids!!!!!

Where does the buck stop, what do you do? continue?

No I don't think you blame the kids either. I just think it's a tough situation right now. I think we will improve I hope we do. unfortunately there's a lot of rumors suggesting we're losing a good coach and possibly kids. (I can't confirm either ). I believe and I have said it before that I think Massengill is a good coach things just haven't worked out to this point. And where the buck stops luckily is someone else's decision to make. Does anyone know they entire schedule?

[Trashtalker]

Well you know what they say about rumors....

[Gitback Coach]

Agreed! Trying to blame all of this on any one person is nonsense.

Generally true, but autocratic leaders like Martin really leave few to blame BUT him.

Either way, the damage is done, and I don't see it improving my time soon.

[Trashtalker]

I realize the buck has to stop somewhere... and Martin is the one everyone wants to blame... Comes with the job I guess.... My only question is this is it Martins fault that all the programs in the area are going down hill quickly?
Knox Central supposed to be pretty good, Had a awful year.... Coaching change this year so let's see
Pineville• Supposed to be the best team they have had in a long time- sup par year under achieved
Bell County• Bad situations led to a coaching change had a very down year to standards
Middlesboro 1-10 Bad year nothing else can be said....
I guess my point is Martin may have his faults but to say he's the reason for the poor football seasons is a little far fetched....

[Gitback Coach]

I guess my point is Martin may have his faults but to say he's the reason for the poor football seasons is a little far fetched....

That's as diplomatically put as one could possibly hope. Well done.

No one's saying Martin is the SOLE reason for the football team's decline, but he is clearly the BIGGEST contributor to its current state. He is the self-proclaimed "decider," after all. If you don't believe me, just ask him.

I've known Steve since his first day of kindergarten, and he has never had what I would consider "sound judgment."

[NextGeneration]

As many times as Martin has cut Massengill legs from him. Just sit close to him and his brother during a game and listen to his rants and the things he says in the stands. To say this county is down so why can't we be as an excuse is nonsense. Martin has his hands in and around this program, both Martin and Massengill needs to go to right the ship. With Martin there are many more reasons for his dismissal. Not sports related. His has been the worst super in our history. Trashman he gave your wife a job because she is related to a board member to try and keep his job. I see why you are defending the main reason for this schools downfall.

[Trashtalker]

I'm not who you think I am now for sure. But I bet you wouldn't go say that to his face!!! Keep on your Martin hating wagon while he just got a 2 year extension on his contract I hear! But care on with your bashing while you don't have enough Couth to say anything to anyone just behind a fake profile and name on here!!!

[NextGeneration]

If he got an extension, surrounding schools are celebrating. He talks about he wants a certain guy to get the Bell super, all surrounding are hoping he stays for a long time. He will have it so bad it may never recover.

[Madness]

I'm not who you think I am now for sure. But I bet you wouldn't go say that to his face!!! Keep on your Martin hating wagon while he just got a 2 year extension on his contract I hear! But care on with your bashing while you don't have enough Couth to say anything to anyone just behind a fake profile and name on here!!!

If that is true, that is all I need to hear to send my youngest son to another school. He will be a Bobcat.