Gaffney coaching discussion

[Chief Whoa]

Well I figured we may as well have a thread over on this site as well and what better timing to start it than with it being a Bye week for the Indians. There are so many rumors out there. I read on TOS that change is coming at the end of this season. It was supposedly from a reliable source but we all have heard that before. Maybe it is Steve Spurrier.

[1st&Goal]

Well..if it is spurrier......He has something in common with stricland. They both left their teams at critical times. As for coaching changes at Gaffney. I think they should leave it the way it is.

[FootballFan4343]

Serious question to ask. Is the Gaffney job not as attractive as before? Take a look at enrollment. Gaffney is actually down about 100-200 students in the past 7-10 years. While other local schools, Byrnes for example, has grown by 400 students. With as easy as it is for kids to move these days, and the proximity to other programs (Byrnes, York, Northwestern, South Pointe, Spartanburg, Dorman, etc). Could it just be that parents are moving to those school zones to give kids what they feel is a better opportunity? Not saying that Gaffney can't be good but when you face Spartanburg, Dorman, Byrnes, Northwestern every year. That is almost always 2-3 losses. So if you come out flat in another game or two, you are starting at a 6-5 season. I think Gaffney just might not be the Gaffney of old. Thoughts on that?

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Lots of good stuff here....

Serious question to ask. Is the Gaffney job not as attractive as before? Take a look at enrollment. Gaffney is actually down about 100-200 students in the past 7-10 years. While other local schools, Byrnes for example, has grown by 400 students.

Industries shifting, jobs become more of a big factor rather than "family history and tradition". For many years, it seemed that it was more uncommon to see folks move away than stay "home". There are teachers my age who didn't teach a Mom and Son, or Dad and Son, during their careers. I had several teachers who had taught my Mom or one of her brothers. But I'm from the era of the cotton mill was the "BIG DEAL" in the village or town. Jackson Mill was where my Grandparents worked, some uncles, and even a brother. Jackon Mill village (not even a town) was where we lived. Jackson Mill Baptist Church was where we went to church. In today's world, kids go off to college and never return to "home" as a rule, not the exception. I'd be willing to bet that the stats have completely reversed since I graduated from High School... I don't have them and if I were to guess it was 7 out of 10 came back to the same area back then, now I'd say only 3 out of 10 stay in the same area. And by area, I mean District 5 in my case. One of my children lives in D5 and the other just moved to D6.

With as easy as it is for kids to move these days, and the proximity to other programs (Byrnes, York, Northwestern, South Pointe, Spartanburg, Dorman, etc). Could it just be that parents are moving to those school zones to give kids what they feel is a better opportunity?

I moved two years ago because my son needed a bigger house and I decided instead of him paying someone else rent, let him pay me rent. I bought a house and he moved into my house. Now I know my grandsons are in a good location, safe neighborhood, etc and will one day, BE REBELS!!!!! No, it wasn't for the athletics, just kidding, but FootballFan4343 is right, it is much easier to relocate now than ever. College scholarships, even partial scholarships are important and some teams have a higher visibility and connections to college recruiters. Tuscullum has seen quite a few former Rebels, it doesn't have to be D1 school. All schools can "help" with tuition and grants.

Not saying that Gaffney can't be good but when you face Spartanburg, Dorman, Byrnes, Northwestern every year. That is almost always 2-3 losses. So if you come out flat in another game or two, you are starting at a 6-5 season. I think Gaffney just might not be the Gaffney of old. Thoughts on that?

The single school in the county has to help some {yes, I know Blacksburg is there, but come on, we all know where you go if you want to play football in Cherokee County}. Facilities at Gaffney are not an issue, the fact they do play those teams year in and year out is also a positive, and we know the talent is there..... It comes to one thing!

Phil Strickland came from a AA school and won and won often and often big.... It ain't rocket science and you don't need a forensic investigator from CSI to figure out what needs to happen. Changes in the coaching staff, and I don't know if it is the Head Coach, the Offensive Coordinator or the entire staff. But a change is needed!

[mikey]

Lots of good stuff here....

Serious question to ask. Is the Gaffney job not as attractive as before? Take a look at enrollment. Gaffney is actually down about 100-200 students in the past 7-10 years. While other local schools, Byrnes for example, has grown by 400 students.

Industries shifting, jobs become more of a big factor rather than "family history and tradition". For many years, it seemed that it was more uncommon to see folks move away than stay "home". There are teachers my age who didn't teach a Mom and Son, or Dad and Son, during their careers. I had several teachers who had taught my Mom or one of her brothers. But I'm from the era of the cotton mill was the "BIG DEAL" in the village or town. Jackson Mill was where my Grandparents worked, some uncles, and even a brother. Jackon Mill village (not even a town) was where we lived. Jackson Mill Baptist Church was where we went to church. In today's world, kids go off to college and never return to "home" as a rule, not the exception. I'd be willing to bet that the stats have completely reversed since I graduated from High School... I don't have them and if I were to guess it was 7 out of 10 came back to the same area back then, now I'd say only 3 out of 10 stay in the same area. And by area, I mean District 5 in my case. One of my children lives in D5 and the other just moved to D6.

With as easy as it is for kids to move these days, and the proximity to other programs (Byrnes, York, Northwestern, South Pointe, Spartanburg, Dorman, etc). Could it just be that parents are moving to those school zones to give kids what they feel is a better opportunity?

I moved two years ago because my son needed a bigger house and I decided instead of him paying someone else rent, let him pay me rent. I bought a house and he moved into my house. Now I know my grandsons are in a good location, safe neighborhood, etc and will one day, BE REBELS!!!!! No, it wasn't for the athletics, just kidding, but FootballFan4343 is right, it is much easier to relocate now than ever. College scholarships, even partial scholarships are important and some teams have a higher visibility and connections to college recruiters. Tuscullum has seen quite a few former Rebels, it doesn't have to be D1 school. All schools can "help" with tuition and grants.

Not saying that Gaffney can't be good but when you face Spartanburg, Dorman, Byrnes, Northwestern every year. That is almost always 2-3 losses. So if you come out flat in another game or two, you are starting at a 6-5 season. I think Gaffney just might not be the Gaffney of old. Thoughts on that?

The single school in the county has to help some {yes, I know Blacksburg is there, but come on, we all know where you go if you want to play football in Cherokee County}. Facilities at Gaffney are not an issue, the fact they do play those teams year in and year out is also a positive, and we know the talent is there..... It comes to one thing!

Phil Strickland came from a AA school and won and won often and often big.... It ain't rocket science and you don't need a forensic investigator from CSI to figure out what needs to happen. Changes in the coaching staff, and I don't know if it is the Head Coach, the Offensive Coordinator or the entire staff. But a change is needed!

hey....be careful what u say about Blacksburg...

[FootballFan4343]

Lots of good stuff here....

Serious question to ask. Is the Gaffney job not as attractive as before? Take a look at enrollment. Gaffney is actually down about 100-200 students in the past 7-10 years. While other local schools, Byrnes for example, has grown by 400 students.

Industries shifting, jobs become more of a big factor rather than "family history and tradition". For many years, it seemed that it was more uncommon to see folks move away than stay "home". There are teachers my age who didn't teach a Mom and Son, or Dad and Son, during their careers. I had several teachers who had taught my Mom or one of her brothers. But I'm from the era of the cotton mill was the "BIG DEAL" in the village or town. Jackson Mill was where my Grandparents worked, some uncles, and even a brother. Jackon Mill village (not even a town) was where we lived. Jackson Mill Baptist Church was where we went to church. In today's world, kids go off to college and never return to "home" as a rule, not the exception. I'd be willing to bet that the stats have completely reversed since I graduated from High School... I don't have them and if I were to guess it was 7 out of 10 came back to the same area back then, now I'd say only 3 out of 10 stay in the same area. And by area, I mean District 5 in my case. One of my children lives in D5 and the other just moved to D6.

With as easy as it is for kids to move these days, and the proximity to other programs (Byrnes, York, Northwestern, South Pointe, Spartanburg, Dorman, etc). Could it just be that parents are moving to those school zones to give kids what they feel is a better opportunity?

I moved two years ago because my son needed a bigger house and I decided instead of him paying someone else rent, let him pay me rent. I bought a house and he moved into my house. Now I know my grandsons are in a good location, safe neighborhood, etc and will one day, BE REBELS!!!!! No, it wasn't for the athletics, just kidding, but FootballFan4343 is right, it is much easier to relocate now than ever. College scholarships, even partial scholarships are important and some teams have a higher visibility and connections to college recruiters. Tuscullum has seen quite a few former Rebels, it doesn't have to be D1 school. All schools can "help" with tuition and grants.

Not saying that Gaffney can't be good but when you face Spartanburg, Dorman, Byrnes, Northwestern every year. That is almost always 2-3 losses. So if you come out flat in another game or two, you are starting at a 6-5 season. I think Gaffney just might not be the Gaffney of old. Thoughts on that?

The single school in the county has to help some {yes, I know Blacksburg is there, but come on, we all know where you go if you want to play football in Cherokee County}. Facilities at Gaffney are not an issue, the fact they do play those teams year in and year out is also a positive, and we know the talent is there..... It comes to one thing!

Phil Strickland came from a AA school and won and won often and often big.... It ain't rocket science and you don't need a forensic investigator from CSI to figure out what needs to happen. Changes in the coaching staff, and I don't know if it is the Head Coach, the Offensive Coordinator or the entire staff. But a change is needed!

All are great points! I think a good coach can win there, but with the enrollment staying steady or even declining slightly, I think other schools are catching up. Just take a look at Nation Ford, who waxed Gaffney a couple of weeks ago. Nation Ford is in Fort Mill which is exploding, as is most of Eastern York County, so they will continue to see enrollment grow and by default get better athletes. Coaching yes, but I think overall, expectations need to be lowered somewhat.

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Talent Pool is shifting in all areas now...

High School, even college. Used to be players wanted to play for Alabama even if they were 5th string rather than start at a school like Wake Forest. Now, they understand the best way to go is to go where you have the best chance to play (thus we have transfers every single year, i.e. guy at UGa playing QB from Virginia - Russell Wilson from NC State to Wisconsin for a year, and so forth and so on)

[Chief Whoa]

Serious question to ask. Is the Gaffney job not as attractive as before? Take a look at enrollment. Gaffney is actually down about 100-200 students in the past 7-10 years. While other local schools, Byrnes for example, has grown by 400 students. With as easy as it is for kids to move these days, and the proximity to other programs (Byrnes, York, Northwestern, South Pointe, Spartanburg, Dorman, etc). Could it just be that parents are moving to those school zones to give kids what they feel is a better opportunity? Not saying that Gaffney can't be good but when you face Spartanburg, Dorman, Byrnes, Northwestern every year. That is almost always 2-3 losses. So if you come out flat in another game or two, you are starting at a 6-5 season. I think Gaffney just might not be the Gaffney of old. Thoughts on that?

Of course I am biased but I don't believe that one bit. Just look at Spartanburg High before the coaching change. Enrollment there was said to be declining and the program was pretty much left for dead and in comes Coach Miller and Boom within two years they look like the Vikings of old. Coaching makes a world of difference. I don't think anyone here or around the program is looking for someone to make the Tribe world beaters overnight. I mean sure it would be nice but the bottom line is the kids deserve better than what they are getting.

[racincowboy02]

Dang Whoa I thought you was Pro coaching lol jk I don't know what the problem really is with the Indians. I hear that talent is down and then I hear and see coaching issues but what can we do all we can do is support those kids that wear the black and gold on Friday nights. I am frustrated with what is goin on but I go every week to support them I think if we found the right coach to come in and light a fire and bring our swagger back we would be better off

[STChamp 92]

I think it's a combination of talent being down AND Coaching issues.. I also think it works to our advantage being that all these "modern" areas are booming and Gaffney is still a Football town.. kinda like Hoover Ala.. nobody wants to move to Hoover to work but it's a football town.. it's coming back.. High School Football cycles.. Gaffney has always cycled when we're up we're up.. when we are down.. well, all the fans should be on suicide watch... they NEVER want to deal with the tough times.