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Updated Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:15 PM
Tyler Clifton: Next coach deserves respect
It was quite an interesting flight home on Saturday sitting behind
Dallas Cowboys Marion Barber and Roy Williams, who has more pressure on
his shoulders than what surrounded the plane at 30,000 feet.
The pressure fails in comparison to what Sherman Independent School
District Superintendent Dr. Al Hambrick and the school board must be
facing with the impending decision on the hiring of a new Bearcat
athletic director/football coach entering crunch time.
Drew Young's six-year reign, one in which a trip to the state
semifinals wasn't good enough to the general public, is officially
finished after his last day has officially come and gone. It was a
tenure featuring plenty of doubters, ones saying comparisons can't be
made with the situations of John Outlaw, Ronnie Tipps and Young.
Outlaw won 10 or more games in three of four seasons from 1988 to
1991 and won four straight district championships in the same span.
There's no arguing the fact he was successful, and his 59 wins in seven
seasons prove it, including the 11 he won in 1994 before leaving town.
Was Sherman a powerhouse during the Outlaw regime? Many think so,
but even four double-digit wins in seven years doesn't classify. Look
up Southlake Carroll, Highland Park, Dallas Carter and Outlaw's current
Lufkin program as those who can be given such high esteem.
The Bearcats have only 14 seasons with nine or more wins since 1920,
including eight of 10 or more (six of those by either Outlaw or Tipps).
It doesn't matter whether they are in the school's brief stint at 5A,
4A or if it was 1A, facts are facts.
Tipps, the subject of much banter recently, won 10 games in his
first season of 1995 and 19 of his final 25 in his last two years of
2001-02 (not good enough for the local armchair quarterbacks). Those
two seasons ended prematurely with an overtime loss to Dallas Samuell
and a 49-21 shellacking at the hands of Dallas Kimball.
Both games probably should've been wins on paper, but overtime
losses occur, and a 28-point loss is proof the Bearcats weren't the
better team. Games are won on the field, and Tipps was successful after
winning 59 of his own.
Young won only 37 games in his six seasons, and although his Bearcat
team entered last year's Battle of the Ax against rival Denison with an
8-1 record and had an opportunity to win its first district
championship since 2002, it wasn't good enough for many.
Sherman led the Yellow Jackets 10-0 one year ago, but most of the
crowd could be heard griping about how the Bearcats weren't up by two
touchdowns. It's a negative vibe the kids fed off of, one in which
they're exposed to on a daily basis through the numerous complaints
about playing in a weak district (one which I saw formed firsthand two
Februarys ago) the school has no control upon or the supposed lack of
leadership on the current staff.
It's the attitude surrounding the program from a community who wants
a "big name" to come and save the day, or as one avid reader terms it,
"answer our prayers."
Sure, Young had the best player in school history at his disposal
for three years, but even Waymon James would tell you he never could've
done the job by himself. Young, who was an athletic director in every
sense of the word, could be seen at numerous sporting events, including
numerous basketball and soccer games home and away. He had the
fifth-most wins in school history -- plain and simple. It's time to put
the past where it belongs and focus on the present.
The new hire, whether it be from outside or within, should have the
utmost support of the Sherman community, and the unfortunate aspect
judging from what has been said the last month, the likelihood of it
happening is slim to none. Don't be blind to the most important people
in this equation -- the Sherman football players.
They are the ones who will be outside in the 100-degree weather
beginning Aug. 3 twice a day preparing for the 2009 season under a new
head coach with eyes gazing at them from near and far. They are what's
most important for what they do inside the classroom and for
entertainment purposes on Friday nights.
Show them the support they deserve and respect the decision-making process. In other words -- answer their prayers.
Texoma comments ...
15 comment found!
: 7/26/2009
There is no talent left in Sherman. When you star winning you will see the talent come out. So don't blame a coach for trying to win, with little talent. 1988-91 was the best time Sherman will ever see.
Scooby 66
Pass the hat : 7/2/2009
True story; Celina has quarterback club meeting one morning of each week. A kid from another team was severely injured in their game with Celina the previous week. Celina passes the hat at quarterback club meeting and collects like 700 bucks and sends it to the kid's family to help with medical bills. Maybe Sherman should pass the hat to collect for coaches salary. GA is in Sherman two years and goes from 0-10 prior to his arrival to two 6-4's. Leaves for Celina and they said in Sherman he couldn't coach. Good point on the Sherman Denison comparison, as an outsider looking in I would say it is very accurate. New coach better do it his way, because in the end it won't make any difference anyway,and unless something is done about pay you can forget getting someone like Kinne.
Hat Passer
Work : 7/2/2009
Unhappy Green, with all due respect, you will never know the work Coach Young did on a daily basis. Take it from someone who is always there.
Bearcat Beat Writer
Holy Cow!! : 7/2/2009
Concerned Dreamer, blah,blah,blah. It took me 30 minutes to read your BS. We are very proud Sherman Bearcat fans, we only want the best and we want to freakin win. We are not wanna b's or jealous of anyone. Also, everyone has the same opportunity to purchase tickets, not our fault they want to sit outside the fence. I have been a season ticket holder for 3 years now and cannot wait for each season to begin, but you just keep sitting on the visitors side, we probably don't want you on the home side anyways w/your negative attitude.
Bearcat Mom
Thank you : 7/2/2009
I don't have a problem with the current staff at all, just the man who was in charge. If you have a job you show up each and every day and do your job which did not always happen. I have never said that someone on the current staff is not the right hire, but I do like the outside canidates. This is not about money my therapist, this is about hard work for the next coach. Myself and $100K are just like you, we are looking for the best person for the job.
Unhappy Green
Clifton has arrived! : 7/2/2009
Tyler, great job of finding stories that resonate with the community and have sparked the imagination of many, all be it negative and positive. It appears that Mr. Clifton, our "jr. sports writer", has perhaps come of age as a journalist. 100K want the editor to pull his story...RIGHT (please note sarcasm here), the editor wants to pull the stories that generate interests and the most blogs weekly...it appears that 100K's lack of understanding of business and ratings is only rivaled by his lack of understanding of the SISD financial situation. Regardless, all can agree (100K & unhappy green included) that the community wants "the best person for the job". I applaude all for that passion of wanting what is best for the kids of Sherman. However, those two guys have taken time to discredit and bad mouth current staff without even knowing who all is applying and interviewing for the job, yet they get upset with Clifton for supposedly downing other candidates and promoting "inside people" in his articles. So let me get this right...100K can try to discredit current staff and push outside guys (see his 6/30 posting), but it is not ok for Clifton (in 100K's opinion after reading the article) to do the same thing but for the other side. I believe that is the definition of a hypocrit. Congrats Tyler for finding stories of interest to the local community instead of cutting and pasting A.P. stories into the sports section that only a couple of old farts that go to bed at 8:00 did not see on sportscenter last night. The new head coach will be good (inside or outside), the current staff is good, and the current players are good. The only thing missing is the "FULL" support of the community for those people and the SISD administration, which I believe was the intent of Clifton's article. Just curious 100K and Unhappy Green did you guys vote the TRE and are you top end booster club supporters that will take us "closer" to a 100K salary for an AD/head fb coach? Or are you guys just talk? If yes, great! If not, Put your money where your mouth is! Can't wait to see your next article Tyler!
100K & Unhappy Green's Therapist
ON THE MONEY : 7/2/2009
You are right on the spot, Tyler. If this much energy from those who comment on the state of football and the former AD was used in a positive "what can I do to help," just think what SISD would gain. Alas, to paraphrase the proverbial adage: When I point fingers at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at me!
Observer also
Sure : 7/2/2009
Please don't write as if the rest of us are ignorant $100K, powerhouse was one of the first words to come out of someone's mouth way back when Coach Young first announced his retirement. You think Mr. Clifton just made it up? And just in case you don't realize it yet, your desired dollar amount AINT GONNA HAPPEN!
Realistic One
powerhouse : 7/1/2009
In all seriousness, where does the need keep coming from to dispel any "powerhouse" thoughts? I haven't seen or heard anyone proclaim that belief, so there's no need to refute it. It's not relevant in the current decision at hand. We know we've never been a powerhouse on that level. We just want the most qualified option right now.
Needs to be $100k or more
Correct : 7/1/2009
I think what Tyler is trying to do is put things into a little better perspective. The idea that Sherman has ever been a "power" isn't anything short of an exaggeration. Teams that can be dubbed "powers" are the likes of Highland Park, Katy, Converse Judson, Stephenville, Celina etc. These are teams that year in, and year out are ranked in the top 10 in the state and contend for state titles. I think it is laughable that any team could be termed a "power" when the best finish in school history was in the state semi-finals, and only once at that. Too often while growing up in the community you hear people second guess the coaches and the players. I think Tyler has a point when he says a cloud of negativity seems to surround the kids on a daily basis, whether its from their peers or parents. I do think a new face might do a world of good, but what most seem to forget is that it is the kids who have to execute on the field for the team to be successful. Coaches can't do everything after all. Stop and think for a second about why the marching band is consistently one of the top in the state. Do they have a great band instructor? Probably, but its the support of the community and the passion of the kids involved that seem to put them over the top. This season take a look at the bleachers during a home game after half-time. See how many people stick around and that should be an indicator of how much the community really adores the beloved Bearcat football.
Observer
get off of youngs D!+$ : 7/1/2009
Hey Tyler sounds to me like your obsessed with Drew young. If you love him that much go get a job at the Durant Daily Democrat.
Matthew
Waymon James - The GOAT? : 7/1/2009
Is WayJay really the best football player in Sherman history? Might Billy Don Jackson, Sterling Boyd, Hunter Smith (and a whole list of others) be waving their hands saying "Uh...what about me?"
Ivey Williams
Dear Tyler : 7/1/2009
Tyler- It is clear you have a great deal of respect for Drew Young. Your vehement defense and support of him in my mind blurs your ability to be objective about what Sherman needs to do going forward. And frankly I don't understand what is so noble about an athletic director being "seen at numerous sporting events, including numerous basketball and soccer games home and away". Did that make him qualified? Did that lead to any exceptional results? If "facts are facts" - Sherman athletics as a whole finished 7th of 8th in their district in 08-09. Good thing AD Young was in the stands I guess. I echo $100K or more - a new coach should embrace the passion that Sherman Football fans have for their team AND players. If he's scared off by armchair criticism and the work and effort it will take to get it done, I suggest he ain't the right guy. But at least he'll always have a friend in you...
Allen Chambers
Saying it well : 7/1/2009
Everything you say is right on the mark Needs to be $100K or more. I hope people are reading and understanding that everything you say is very important to getting this program where it needs to be. You have a great understanding of the situation and put in words that if truely read are easily understood. This is a critical time in Sherman Athletics and people like yourself are to be applauded for your concern and understanding.
Unhappy Green
No More Prayers : 7/1/2009
How can we focus on the present when all you do is continue to write these historical pieces to try to remind us all of Sherman's mediocre past? Perhaps it's an attempt to pump-up Drew Young's tenure, but I'm not quite sure the motive. I'm still surprised Mr. Clifton's editors allow him to take such an opinionated stake in the game in a small-town atmosphere. The heat or negativity you whine about was not excessive during Young's tenure, and it won't be with a future coach. That's life in a one-school town with avid support. A high, high percentage of the parents were supportive of Young because to know him is to love him as everyone would say, and most fans weren't too critical either. There are always going to be a few soreheads. Remember it is the fanatics that read and post on these boards, and of course I'm guilty of that. But you have taken passionate and enthusiastic support of the program and painted it as negativity and excessive griping, and I think it's unfair. I also am concerned that you are using your platform to try to discourage a new coach from taking the job in an attempt to leave SISD with only current staff members as options. Maybe it is too simple to state that you haven't lived through the Sherman football history long enough to be able to tell us how to think and feel, but I don't know how else to put it. It's not a sign of disrespect to Drew Young or his staff to believe that a fresh start with an outside hire would be best for the kids at present and in the future. Voicing opinions is not a lack of support, it's a sign of caring instead of the silence of apathy. I wish I had never written a silly slogan, especially involving prayer. Sorry about that. Go Cats.
Needs to be $100K or more
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