Coaching...

**kmccall** · February 21st, 2007, 08:56 PM

There are more tournaments around than you think. Castlewood, Lebanon, Coeburn, Ervinton, Grundy, Honaker, Wise, Appalachia and Richlands for boys and girls and all have at least One Tournament each winter and thats just the ones on that side of the clinch Mountain. There are many more on this side all over Southwest Va. A travel team can play 20 to 30 games easy each winter and not travel every weekend. Thats the same as two or three rec seasons against pretty good competition in a matter of two months. I have coached a travel team since my son was in the 4th grade. We are now in our 5th season with almost all the same kids. This weekend we are playing in Honaker. So as you can see there are plenty of places to play without having to travel out of the area. Like I said before all you have to give is time and it doesn't hurt to have a sponsor.

**asdf1234** · February 22nd, 2007, 12:08 AM

I agree with you CVCgrad. You have to have the passion for a sport before you can succeed in it. I don't care who the coach is, how many people come out to support you, or what town you are from, if your players are not willing to get out there and give everything they have every game and every practice, in the end you are not going to be successful. There has been a steady decline in the bball program at Clintwood, both boys and girls, from a lack of effort and dedication. You have a couple of players who actually care about the game and are willing to make themselves better during the off-season, but the rest never have a ball in their hand until November. Raw talent can only get you so far. Clintwood has some of the most talented athletes in the Region, yet they lack the discipline and dedication needed to win championships. And unfortunately, I don't see it changing anytime soon.

**cvcgrad** · February 22nd, 2007, 10:50 AM

When Clintwood first start having coaching changes, I admit I wanted to blame the problem on the coaches. But I realize that these guys were in an almost impossible situation of trying to generate interest in basketball in a school where nothing really matters but football.

There are adults who have tried to get the younger kids involved in local basketball camps/tournaments. But ultimately, in this town, the world begins and ends at Ralph Cummins Stadium.

Now, I think its great that any school has so much passion for any sport. But it is unfortunate for the few who really do want to play basketball or baseball, etc.

**asdf1234** · February 22nd, 2007, 01:44 PM

It's really a shame. Nothing bothers me more than a kid/or kids with a ton of talent who wastes it because of a lack of dedication and discipline. Not that I think playing football is a waste. But there is no reason why you can't be dedicated to more than one sport, and actually be successful in both. I guess it's just the Clintwood mentality.

February 24th, 2007, 08:36 PM

I wonder who will be the coach at clintwood now? will one of the former coaches take back over? if they go with a former coach i would probably go with the vanover guy he at least doesnt make every official get annoyed at him. greer always was loud when he disagreed with calls it was funny to watch him react

**mm70** · February 25th, 2007, 10:27 PM

Honestly, I don't know why ANYBODY would want to try and coach this day and time. They get so much grief. It's sad that alot of people go into coaching for the sheer love of the game and wanting to work with young people but then alot of them end up getting treated like trash in the end. My husband was just a little league coach for years and got physically threatened by one parent because he felt like his son was not playing enough. This was the kid who refused to learn plays, told my husband he didn't want him to give him the ball at practice (because he was scared) and would run into his own player and knock the ball out of his hands... His Dad thought he should stay in the game all the time. I really don't think some kids even want to play and their parents force them to-of course they aren't going to give it their all if they don't want to be there. There were times I would get up and go over and sit on the visitors side just so I couldn't hear the parents complain about their kids not starting or playing in the outfield. I know there are some coaches who really aren't up to par, but it seems like the good ones sometimes get run off because they get tired of all the complaining. I'm not saying this is the situation with this coach or any particular coach. Just my opinion on coaching in general. I don't know how well the Clintwood coach did with basketball but I know he is an awesome cross country coach and a very good guy. I also know how hard it is to try and make everyone happy all the time. I have alot of respect for anyone who has good intentions and does their best to coach kids. It's a really hard job!

**gcdevil22** · February 26th, 2007, 12:26 AM

you gotta love the game and love what you're doin

**mm70** · February 26th, 2007, 08:32 AM

Yeah, but the few trouble makers take the fun out of it sometimes...

**R0cketer** · February 27th, 2007, 02:31 PM

Clintwood has those 2 options, if they are interested. Both did well, and I would think both learned a lot from their past experiences. Who knows if they are interested or not.