David

I’m thinking that he’s a facilitator for the search, and that the school board will make the hire (scary, right!). Whether the AD comes first is the unknown. You probably know more insider details than I do, but do know that the remaining assistants are all in on the offensive coordinator getting the promotion. That move also allows them to retain all other assistants, continuing the progress we’ve seen. I’ve talked to people from HOF ex players to parents to players to administrators to assistants to politicians with connections in the district, and the one thing in common is that they don’t have a clue what the board will do. Patience is the only I don’t have.

Doesn’t seem to be anything, at least publicly, but the assistants and parents are all upbeat about the new hire for interim athletic director. Assuming that he is aware that he’s a facilitator for the coaching search, he’s been in the system for years, knows the coordinators that will be looked at, and can bring in other coaches from the state and area for the school board to consider. The situation calls for a unique approach to getting a new coach in place for spring, as the offense will have to change somewhat after losing the best player in the state. Lots of talent on both sides of the ball, including QB, but the focus might have to be on running a bit more. Promoting the current O coordinator would lend consistency, and though the defense returns a lot, they lost that coordinator to the paycheck.

Every statement true, and I would add that going this route lends continuity to the program, including the assistants who remain loyal. The jr hi feeder system is also the best on the Coast, probably due to the good work of Mark Hubbard and the assistant coaches. Yesterday’s naming of an interim AD from within bodes well for keeping the job with the offensive coordinator who has done the heavy lifting on that side of the ball. Finally, some positive actions that will allow me to stop sounding so bitter. The previous coach, even in his leaving, has set the program up for continued success, if this hire is a slam dunk. Only time will tell, but from what I hear from assistant coaches, and what you hear from the players, maybe Bramlette is the man for the job.

In Harrison county, the casino taxes are split between the city schools in which the casino is located and the county schools, with the city schools receiving 50%. This means that Biloxi especially, but also Gulfport receive much more than schools in other counties like O.S. In fact, the billion dollar expansion of Chevron in Pascagoula provides large tax revenues to Goula, but not to O.S., which helped give the original tax breaks to attract them, all per a Supreme Court ruling. Ocean Springs is at a disadvantage to other local schools in tax revenue, and it shows.

Now that’s funny right there!

First, I have in no way bad mouthed anyone for personal decisions involving their family’s future or increasing income. I would probably do the same thing if offered. This coach, like most, has seen his family adopted and treated well in the school community. If she loves these players, it’s because they are good kids and they were taken in as part of the O.S. family. None of my statements refer to his family or for that matter, his personal actions. On the other hand, professionally I have no problem criticizing the actions taken, including those by the school district. Coach P, in his first public interview mentions that his new district is more supportive of the football team, has better facilities, and that the players offer a better chance to win a championship than the district he’s leaving. I strongly dispute all of those assumptions, and the kids he’s abruptly leaving take it as an insult. We beat a team three years in a row, and instead of upping their game, they steal away the coach of their rivals, including trying to lure assistants and supposedly players. That may be acceptable to some, but I think it’s weak. Taking a career step is one thing, going down the street and insulting the fans who gave you the talent, facilities, and vocal stadium support that took you close to a championship is not ideal. He had to know that there would be some blowback. We’ll be fine over here, and this won’t be a revenge thing, because we’re better than that. Good luck next season, you’ve always had a great program. I’ll not be having a back and forth on this.

Assuming that your passion is for Madison Central, y’all have had a run of good football, and we’ll be seeing you in your stadium first game next year. Take it easy on us as we change leadership, and we’ll try to give you a little competition. Run through that wall!

Yep, my passion ain’t fake and it comes from spilling blood on the field many decades ago. Just because I realize that a coach has a right, an obligation, to chase a paycheck, the old player in me means that I’ll hold a grudge when he so easily drops his passion for the kids in this town for another school district just down the street. When I say that I bleed blue & grey, or maroon, red, orange, you name it, that’s forever. It just shouldn’t be so easy to change your passion after selling your players on dedication and loyalty. But, I realize that I’ll get roasted for being too passionate. I can live with that.

I’m so glad that the players are moving forward on this. The assistant that I talk to regularly is proud of how the staff is continuing with the weight and training, and said that Bramlette has brought the players in to update things and to make sure they know that they will have success no matter who the coach ends up being. Guess those kids are a lot more mature than some of us fans. I do hope that decisions are made on a accelerated schedule.

You’re exactly right. In fact, I’m the only one who doesn’t seem to take it well, and I’m just a washed up old player who can’t imagine someone wanting to coach anywhere else. Don’t blame parents for my bad attitude.

Blake Pennock left O.S. for a better paycheck over in Gulfport, and while I certainly don’t blame him, and would probably do the same, it’s hard to explain to a 16 year old kid who’s all bought in that his coach will be on the opposite sideline next year. Most of the rumors that he would be taking all of the coaching staff with him have proven false so far, as well as the recruitment of players talk. I know I sound bitter, just hoping that we’re able to stay good enough to win at least one game next November over in Gulfport.

I’m honestly just glad to see the search process moving forward, because sitting back until the spring training goes by would be a step back. I still would prefer retaining the offensive scheme by promoting the coordinator who ran that side of the team, and keeping the program moving instead of a total rebuild. The talent is still elite, even if the offensive scheme might have to be tweaked. Defense returns good players, and the upcoming freshman class will inject many more. I don’t have any inside knowledge, but do know that the returning assistant coaches are in support of the offensive coordinator being hired for the job, and only one assistant left with the previous coach who took the money and ran. Not sure what the plan is on the school board. Wish that they would retain outside, knowledgeable advice if there’s any question of what the program needs.

As is the drive for the opening game in Madison, plus a road trip to Picayune that’s not easy. I called for an improved early schedule to toughen up before the district schedule, but these bus rides are long for players and fans. In this new classification, a team that really wants to play a good slate will have to travel well.

Just wondering what your “TWTR” refers to? Natchez would be a nice addition, maybe giving a little break from the other, more difficult teams in the early part of the schedule.

In my opinion, because of the overwhelming success of the offense, and to maintain continuity going forward, I’d like to see the offensive coordinator, Coach Bramlette be given consideration. If he’s able to retain some of the other assistants who are now expressing their support for him, the program doesn’t miss a beat, and doesn’t miss that guy who used to coach here. The feeder teams in the jr hi could retain those coaches who have been so successful. I don’t have input except for trying to get the school board or whatever search committee to do a comprehensive search, including both young and experienced, in state and out. This is now an attractive place to go, with the opportunity to become a consistent player in the state playoffs if the right hire is made. Anybody who leaves here for the paycheck down the road deserves to get beat every year.

I guess I’ll have to get used to everybody picking Gulfport over my Greyhounds, but I’m going to say not so fast. We might have lost the most talented class of seniors in the state, but there’s a lot of good football coming back, if we can get a head coach and staff in place to continue the success. Hubbard will be the hardest to replace, obviously, though there’s a decision to be made as to starting a great young sophomore and changing up the offense to fit his skill set. With his athletic running and a whole bunch of good RBs coming back behind a big, experienced line, the offense could just be better once the QB gets his passing improved. The defense returns eight or nine starters, so might have to carry the team for a while. Since O.S. opens with Madison Central and plays Picayune mid season, expecting a couple of tough games, and the Gulfport game will show whether another playoff run could happen. I’ll have to get over the past coach taking his knowledge of the team to our rival, since that gives them a distinct advantage in this first year. I haven’t heard of any kids leaving the program like everyone has been predicting. The kids will be motivated to play him. Whether that means that we beat them is yet to be seen. The district is there for the taking by those two teams. Edited just now by David

R

While nobody really knows who, I can say that things are moving forward thankfully. Everybody was so concerned that the status of the superintendent and AD would keep the coaching search from getting going, but it looks like the school board, such as it is, will begin interviews and bringing in knowledgeable people with recommendations. Like me, most of the assistants are hoping that the coaches who have been a part of the success these last few years will at least be given a look, including the offensive coordinator. Only one assistant moved with the past head coach in spite of all being asked to do so, and they are maintaining the weight and training programs so that any new hire will be able to hit the ground running, especially with spring training coming fast. The talent is in place, the schedule improved with Picayune and Madison Central, and I’m feeling much more confident than I did two months ago. Go Hounds!

Do tell!

I still maintain that, to prevent losing the progress that’s been made the last three years, somebody has to make the decision to bring in an outside entity with knowledge of the situation and the coaching ranks in the state to act as interim AD so that this doesn’t linger. That decision would almost have to come from the school board, but I’m afraid that they won’t grasp the importance of moving forward with some haste.

I doubt that Bramlette would go if he’s offered the head coaching job in Ocean Springs. He ran that offense, installing and calling plays, and I do know that the assistants all had hoped that he would be retained. At this point, I don’t think anybody knows who they are looking at, or for that matter, just who is doing the looking. The district school board has to bring in a knowledgeable search committee or interim AD as soon as possible.

Your posts so far on here have been on point. If you can quickly delete dissing Tatonut, you might not lose your credibility. I’ve eaten Tatonuts literally for over 50 years. There’s a branch open in heaven for when I get there.

I wasn’t aware of that. Does seem like a technicality that could be bypassed or an alternative worked out. I would think that any head coach would like to have that assistant AD position so as to have input on decisions. Are these common requirements, because I’ve seen other schools bring in deserving assistant coaches without those things on their resume. Maybe naming an interim AD would allow for some leeway.

Now that I’ve had a minute to get over being jilted by that guy that used to coach in O.S., I’d like to point out a couple of things. Sure, I can’t blame him for doing better for his family and all that, but going right down the road, taking assistants with him, and supposedly talking with players and parents about joining him just seems…unseemly. But, let’s move on and wait for next November. Whoever is making the decision in O.S. as to the next coach will by definition not be an athletically knowledgeable person or body. The long standing AD is gone, and the superintendent is halfway out the door. That’s why I’m saying there are two routes to go here. First, bring in a knowledgeable person with local ties and statewide experience who can evaluate the options for hiring a current coach or leading assistant at another school in the state or in a nearby state. Second, evaluate the assistant coaches on the present staff at O.S., and reach out to that coach to maintain continuity with the program and with the players who were counting on their coaches staying around. My choice would be the one running that world class offense, calling the plays, and putting players in position to have one of the highest performing offenses in the state. The current assistants all seem to admire and work with him, and some have hinted privately that they support his hiring. The delay in making that choice would seem to be telling. Time’s ticking. Just wish we could be confident that there’s a plan in place.

I really don’t know. In fact, I have to google your staff to even name names. But, a two time champion has to have assistants, especially coordinators, who are ready for the next level. Not fair to ask you to name the best coach on your staff, but I’d bet there’s more than one who could do a good job.