coastfootballfanman

Tatonut is severely overrated in my opinion. Solid donut but some folks act like it is life or death over them. LOL.

Oh I would bet its 100% true. Ocean Springs has been hitting the recruiting trail hard this past off-season. LOL.

There are not many 7A coaches teaching any classes already and if they are, it is usually 2 periods of P.E. or something easy like that. Ocean Springs is not a premier job if you are looking to compete year and out consistently and win a title. Now, they are DEFINITELY on the rise, but two great seasons does not put them in that category in my eyes yet.

The 8th grade went undefeated and won the championship during the 2021 season correct? May be more to do with talent level than coaching level.

Those coaches deserve credit do not get me wrong. But Pennock put in place the plan, structure and consistency for it. His formula, they just executed it. To perfection I may add. Not trying to discredit the junior high coaches in the slightest. Just pointing out the detail of Pennock’s plan

You are a glass completely full guy David and I respect that. However, the success of the middle school program has been because of Pennock. The 8th grade coach is only in his 2nd year and was brought in by Pennock. He has streamlined that program from top to bottom and if you look at their successes, especially lately, he is a big part of that in my opinion. As far as players leaving, be careful in thinking they will not go anywhere. You can have all the nice things and facilities in the world but if the players do not trust their coaches or get along with them, they will not stick around. Transferring today in high school football is a really, really easy thing to do.

You sound like old Ocean Springs fans defending Pennock. LOL. This is great entertainment.

You are aware of the players and people that Pennock and his staff recruited from other areas to come to Ocean Springs correct? I understand your frustration, but is it not a little hypocritical to be upset he is doing to you guys now, what he has done to others?

One would hope so, but the wrong hire could be detrimental. You lose a coach that was able to rally players, community, etc. Can the next guy do that? I am curious if any players will look to move on to other places? The players that were brought in, what do they do? It is a tough situation for the players and especially the coaches. The ones he offer the chance to come with him, most likely have to go because there is a chance they will not be retained.

He is going to be facing a different battle at Gulfport. He will not have as much community support/involvement as he did at Ocean Springs. They players he will be coaching are vastly different than the majority of what he had to work with at Ocean Springs. If he can get the community support and buy in from the players. Gulfport could potentially be a really dangerous team.

I forgot about ole Dr. Coleman leaving. That is a lot of big turnover for a district to see happen. Losing Superintendent, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach in the same year.

I think I heard his name mentioned for Brandon, Germantown and Northwest Rankin when they were open.

Jake would probably do a great job. I have heard nothing but glowing things about him and Coach Zach Green from the kids that I have spoke with on the team. I just do not believe they would want someone without prior HFC experience. They need to move on an AD fast and then get on the Head Coach immediately after.

He is a Terry High graduate to the best of my knowledge. His mother is a Moss Point alumni though. So he does have some coast ties.

I was told there are some players talking about moving out if the coordinators go. Not sure how true. Seems hard to believe they would just up and leave but it would speak to the impact the coaches had on them.

A lot of new posters today in this thread. Welcome all! Hope you decide to stick around and engage in the many discussions that take place on this site.

@David what have you been told about everything going on? You are probably the most connected person with Ocean Springs athletics on this board.

I forgot he had one that young. Yeah, I would imagine he stays too then. Robin Lee his offensive line coach has been with him a while dating back to Clinton. He did not make the move to Pass with Pennock but came to Ocean Springs when he got the job there. I imagine he will be one that goes with the OC and DC. Pennock brought Lampley to the coast from Hinds CC and they have a connection from Pennock's days at USM. I imagine he would go as well. Big time limbo right now at Ocean Springs. Curious how they move forward in the coming weeks after the announcement is officially made.

The 120k was confirmed to me. I heard he was going to be allowed 4, 5, and 6 assistants so I guess we will see how the staff takes shape.

I imagine his OL, WR, OC, DC, all will go with him. They were guys he brought in. Howze and Davis are Ocean Springs Alumni so I imagine they would want to stay, although I could see Howze going. Keith Carter may would go with him as well now that his son has moved on to college.

My daughter said that a lot of the boys had a "what do we do now" type of attitude. They are not happy with him at the moment. I was also told he would be able to bring 5 or 6 assistants of his choosing with him to Gulfport which is something you rarely see allowed for Head Football Coaches in Mississippi.

Nothing “official” published but he met with players this afternoon and informed them he was leaving for Gulfport.

I agree with you. This was their best shot at it. They will be a good team next year with a veteran defense, but they won’t have the same level of explosiveness on offense in my opinion.

It is official. Pennock told the team this afternoon. My daughter said players have been talking it about it all evening. They are really upset.