Coach of the Year

[Tigers25]

i agree with crimson and sc

[BlueWhite23]

no, no, don't get me wrong. I was just trying to emphasize the point that Richland and Somerset's coaches took their teams over the course of the last few years from being mediocre at best to contenders. I have nothing against Grouse at Portage, I think he's a tremendous coach (his W-L) record speaks for itself. But I think Portage is the equivalent of McCort in the WestPac--a perrenial winner and powerhouse...If they didn't even win D6, I don't think he should be considered. In my opinion "coach of the year" is designated to a "suprise" team, and a coach who led them beyond expectations. It's like the case of the Pats and Giants in the NFL...yeah, NE is a perrenial powerhouse, just like McCort and Portage, but if they don't win the big game, the coach won't win this honor. Belichik went 18-1, but still shouldn't win coach of the year whereas no one expected Coughlin to lead his team out of an 0-3 start to win the superbowl...same principle applies for the portage coach, in my opinion. Maybe I just have a different association with the award itself, i dunno.

[walker texas ranger]

Excellent analogy Blue/White, and I do agree that coach of the year is normally from a "surprise" team...However, McCort did repeat after losing 2 all-state linemen, one of the best running back tandoms in recent history (each of who also play defense in college ball), and one of the best receivers/db's in the area who also is playing college ball. Granted I wouldn't say McCort being good is never a surprise, they lost a TON of talent and still accomplished all of those feats this year, I don't think it would be a stretch to say Salem would deserve a mention as coach of the year.

[BlueWhite23]

I agree walker, My votes would go in this order: 1. Salem B.McCort (for the reasons you mentioned and the 2 loss season...He did win a championship with the loss of a lot of kids. Doesn't really fit my theme of a "suprise" team, but he's still very qualified). 2. Ken Bussard CC (it was only two years ago that this same CC team was 2-7...yikes! Buzz returned to the sidelines with only 10 seniors on the roster and turned it around in 1 year, plus I doubt anyone here expected CC to play for the D6 title let alone take McCort into OT). 3. Toss up between Richland/Somerset for both bringing their teams back into the spotlight. 3a. Grouse- Portage (Great season, but his credentials THIS YEAR don't compare with the other coaches I've listed). This is a very debatable subject. One could make a great case for Salem, Bussard, and both coaches at Richland and Somerset. I wish these boards had a "poll option," much like the rivals boards do...a multiple choice question is asked in a separate box giving results/percentages. I would be curious to see the results for this topic on bleachercoaches in the form of a poll.

[walker texas ranger]

All great choices...an overall a good year for high school football in the lh. I'm interested to see how CC, Somerset, and Richland follow up on their successful seasons. And I'm excited to see if McCort will be able to adapt to their losses in the same way they did last year. Only time will tell.

[kingdomofcrush07]

Salem should be coach of the year based on the fact that he lost a ton of talent and earned a 4th staight appearence in the D6 title game. Keeping the kids level headed and hungry is a tall task, but he accomplished that and much more. Will mccort take the next step and make the western final or even earn a trip to hershey. It has been awhile since Acruio and co worked there magic can shrey and lowry put their names with the defrances/vargas and Lewis Barbins of the past? I think the key match up will be BC they will be losing some key lineman but coach sponsky always seems to be ready to play mccort (13-7 loss). If BC makes the playoff they could also be a challenge to mccort there. Steelton looks like a buzz saw with that running back. It will be a great oppurtunity to play against someone of that level a la TP.

[old school]

lost a ton of talent but then again he also recruited a ton of talent....sorry that’s right private schools don't recruit