34 replies to this topic

[River City Kid]

Excellent pick.

[HoosierDood]

CaptainPicard, on 04 November 2012 - 12:18 PM, said:

I see where Derek Ellis is going to be the new coach.

Wow, it's about time the school board and JHS did something right for a change and finally made a good decision. God forbid that they advertise it or make a big public announcement about it. Or if they have, I haven't seen it.

I think Derek is the best choice and I've said it several times on here in prior posts on this thread. Why it took the nimrods that call the shots this long to figure that out is a mystery to me. I guess they have some built in desire to go through about (3) coaches in a year, just like they do principals, before they finally settle on the best choice.

[grayarea]

I do hope this works out. I have reservations due to the relationships, but I do hope it works out. Now, did I read right from the school board hiring post that his position is only good for this year?

[HoosierDood]

grayarea, on 07 November 2012 - 09:40 AM, said:

I do hope this works out. I have reservations due to the relationships, but I do hope it works out. Now, did I read right from the school board hiring post that his position is only good for this year?

Yeh, I saw that too. It was from March 2013 thru June 2013, which obviously coincides with the baseball season. I guess it's an "interim" deal and maybe it was done that way at Derek's request or maybe the school said "We'll give you a shot, show us what you can do." Either way, I think the program is in good hands for the time being and that Derek will do well as a manager/coach and the players and parents will be satisfied with him at the helm. That's just my take on it as someone that has been around him and his coaching abilities. Yes he can be a hot head at times, but what coaches aren't? But he knows what he's doing, he has the talent in place to win and he bleeds Jeff Red Devils.

[JHSBaseball]

HoosierDood, on 07 November 2012 - 12:16 AM, said:

Wow, it's about time the school board and JHS did something right for a change and finally made a good decision. God forbid that they advertise it or make a big public announcement about it. Or if they have, I haven't seen it.

I think Derek is the best choice and I've said it several times on here in prior posts on this thread. Why it took the nimrods that call the shots this long to figure that out is a mystery to me. I guess they have some built in desire to go through about (3) coaches in a year, just like they do principals, before they finally settle on the best choice.

Did something right?  If you remember Melin said that the school administration was was committed to find the right TEACHER and baseball coach for the job?  

There is no doubt that Derek Ellis will do an outstanding job as a baseball coach.  But last time i checked he is not a teacher.  He already has a full time job and the big concern is will he be there all the time?  Last year after they won the sectional he had to go out of town for 3 or 4 days the week before the regional. That is a very important week of preparation.

I know that there were at least 2 men that applied that are/were teachers as well as baseball coaches.  One of them almost has his masters in special education the the other is currently a teacher in Harrison County.  Also know that Stemler did not follow up with any references with one of the good candidates and he had some pretty good references, a MLB crosschecker, D1 college baseball coach, local high profile HS coach.

I think that the nimrods had their minds made up for a while on who they wanted.  Sexton took over and wanted Rigsby.  Rigsby doesn't make it a year and then it was Oldham.  It is clear that Sexton was a huge fan of Oldham (maybe because they both had the same philosphy - win at ANY cost, even if you have to cheat) and Sexton wanted Oldham to be the baseball coach too.  Oldham said "coaching is coaching" and that's BS.  I'm pretty sure that he (Oldham) wouldn't want the band leader who was also a football player 20 years ago coaching his son in high school football.  

Again, Derek will do a very good job.  But Melin lied about his commitment to have a teacher/baseball coach.

What exactly are all the "nimrods" thinking anyway?!?!?!

[HoosierHoopsFan]

Melin may have wanted a teacher and a coach, but there has to be a teaching position open. This time of year, I cannot imagine an open position. In this case, Ellis was definitely the best fix for the situation. Let them post the coaching position in the spring and see what teaching positions will be available.

[HoosierDood]

JHSBaseball, on 07 November 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

Did something right?  If you remember Melin said that the school administration was was committed to find the right TEACHER and baseball coach for the job?  

There is no doubt that Derek Ellis will do an outstanding job as a baseball coach.  But last time i checked he is not a teacher.  He already has a full time job and the big concern is will he be there all the time?  Last year after they won the sectional he had to go out of town for 3 or 4 days the week before the regional. That is a very important week of preparation.

I know that there were at least 2 men that applied that are/were teachers as well as baseball coaches.  One of them almost has his masters in special education the the other is currently a teacher in Harrison County.  Also know that Stemler did not follow up with any references with one of the good candidates and he had some pretty good references, a MLB crosschecker, D1 college baseball coach, local high profile HS coach.

I think that the nimrods had their minds made up for a while on who they wanted.  Sexton took over and wanted Rigsby.  Rigsby doesn't make it a year and then it was Oldham.  It is clear that Sexton was a huge fan of Oldham (maybe because they both had the same philosphy - win at ANY cost, even if you have to cheat) and Sexton wanted Oldham to be the baseball coach too.  Oldham said "coaching is coaching" and that's BS.  I'm pretty sure that he (Oldham) wouldn't want the band leader who was also a football player 20 years ago coaching his son in high school football.  

Again, Derek will do a very good job.  But Melin lied about his commitment to have a teacher/baseball coach.

What exactly are all the "nimrods" thinking anyway?!?!?!

JHSBaseball,

I know you have a deep concern for the baseball program and thats good. It just seems that the last couple of principals and superintendants don't have the same amount of concern. In fact, the baseball team has flat been ignored as far as I can tell. All ya gotta do is go back through this thread and another one here on Chatter and see all the comments about it, from concerned citizens.

I know they keep SAYING they want a teacher/coach, but given the continuous acts of incompetence and ineptitude of Melin, Sexton, the School Board, etc. I'm just glad they decided to give the position to Derek, even if it is on a one season basis. I know you've voiced concerns in the past about the fact that he has a full time job and can he commit to it 100% ? Maybe something has changed with his job status. I'll have to inquire about that. But at least you know he's committed to this team excelling, especially with his son being a big part of their success. And it's not just because of his son, but he truly cares about the program. I just think that he's a far better choice than a football coach who is just there as a figurehead. And I'm sure Derek will have good assistants around to take charge if he can't be there.

In the meantime, I think JHS should still continue a true search for a full time/long term teacher/coach. I hear all those stories too about how strong qualified candidates have been told "thanks but no thanks" and/or not even given an interview and that is perplexing. I don't know who is calling the shots on this but as I said earlier, it's obvious that the "nimrods" in charge are too busy hiring thieves as principals and don't seem to have the best interests of a strong baseball tradition in mind. And that's a shame. But I think with Derek, at least most Jeff baseball fans can feel secure that the program is in good hands...even if it's only for this season.

[JHSBaseball]

[Red Pride 4 Life]

I really don't understand or agree with the circumstances that a coach has to be a teacher of that school. I think some rules needs to be changed due to some of your best coaches are not teachers. It bothers me that some teachers only take the coach position for the extra cash when they have no true knowledge of the game. Then we as parents and supporters wonder why our teams have problems winning. Now I am not a baseball guy but I do know and have watched Derek Ellis as a coach and he is an awesome coach and a great choice. I have no doubt that he will take Jeff baseball further than what some ignorant to the game teacher will.

[grayarea]

Out of curisosity, who is staying on as assistants?

[JHSBaseball]

This post isn't meant to offend anyone and i apologize if it does...

Some people get on here and say (sorry RedPride) "I am not a baseball guy but I do know and have watched Derek Ellis as a coach and he is an awesome coach and a great choice" and "excellent choice", etc.

This is just a question and up for discussion.  if you aren't a baseball guy how do you know that it is an excellent choice?  

Again, I don't have any doubt that he will do a good job.  

I really don't think it matters if the coach is a teacher or not.  It works at some schools (Charlestown).

Bottom line is that Melin said that they are committed to hiring the right teacher and coach.  There were qualified candidates that applied that are teachers and coaches.  Those people were given less that 24 hour notice that JHS wanted to interview them.  All of that was just 'going through the motions' they already knew who the wanted and Ellis will do a good job.

I think that Ellis will do a good job, it's more about the way that the school went about hiring the new coach and the continued disfunction at JHS.

[JHSBaseball]

grayarea, on 08 November 2012 - 08:13 AM, said:

Out of curisosity, who is staying on as assistants?

Marshall quit last year because he didn't get the interim job.  He NEVER went to any of the varsity practices or games, but somehow his son ended up in the dugout for some of the varsity games and for some reason Rigsby allowed it.  Then Marshall decided that when Jeff was in the regional he needed to be in the dugout.

That leaves PJ Thomas.  He was the pitching coach/first base coach last year.  He has very rarely been to fall practices.  I am sure that he will still be around for next year after he has taken the fall and winter off.

[CaptainPicard]

Being a teacher in the building is the "best choice" for a variety of reasons.  If they are a teacher in the building they can see/interact with the players every day, keep a better check on behavior, grades, attitude, etc.  Of course it also makes the paperwork/pay issues easier for GCCS.  But many very, very good coaches are not teachers in the building so it's not a neccessity.  Being a teacher does not equate with being a better coach.

[goreddevils]

JHSBaseball, on 07 November 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

Did something right?  If you remember Melin said that the school administration was was committed to find the right TEACHER and baseball coach for the job?  

There is no doubt that Derek Ellis will do an outstanding job as a baseball coach.  But last time i checked he is not a teacher.  He already has a full time job and the big concern is will he be there all the time?  Last year after they won the sectional he had to go out of town for 3 or 4 days the week before the regional. That is a very important week of preparation.

I know that there were at least 2 men that applied that are/were teachers as well as baseball coaches.  One of them almost has his masters in special education the the other is currently a teacher in Harrison County.  Also know that Stemler did not follow up with any references with one of the good candidates and he had some pretty good references, a MLB crosschecker, D1 college baseball coach, local high profile HS coach.

I think that the nimrods had their minds made up for a while on who they wanted.  Sexton took over and wanted Rigsby.  Rigsby doesn't make it a year and then it was Oldham.  It is clear that Sexton was a huge fan of Oldham (maybe because they both had the same philosphy - win at ANY cost, even if you have to cheat) and Sexton wanted Oldham to be the baseball coach too.  Oldham said "coaching is coaching" and that's BS.  I'm pretty sure that he (Oldham) wouldn't want the band leader who was also a football player 20 years ago coaching his son in high school football.  

Again, Derek will do a very good job.  But Melin lied about his commitment to have a teacher/baseball coach.

What exactly are all the "nimrods" thinking anyway?!?!?!

  

      FYI. Sexton had no clue who Rigsby was before the AD at the time offered him a chance to coach the summer program. And yes, I agree. Derek will do an excellent job.

[Red Pride 4 Life]

JHSBaseball, on 08 November 2012 - 09:20 AM, said:

This post isn't meant to offend anyone and i apologize if it does...

Some people get on here and say (sorry RedPride) "I am not a baseball guy but I do know and have watched Derek Ellis as a coach and he is an awesome coach and a great choice" and "excellent choice", etc.

This is just a question and up for discussion.  if you aren't a baseball guy how do you know that it is an excellent choice?  

Again, I don't have any doubt that he will do a good job.  

I really don't think it matters if the coach is a teacher or not.  It works at some schools (Charlestown).

Bottom line is that Melin said that they are committed to hiring the right teacher and coach.  There were qualified candidates that applied that are teachers and coaches.  Those people were given less that 24 hour notice that JHS wanted to interview them.  All of that was just 'going through the motions' they already knew who the wanted and Ellis will do a good job.

I think that Ellis will do a good job, it's more about the way that the school went about hiring the new coach and the continued disfunction at JHS.

Let me rephrase my comment, I am not a baseball guy...meaning I don't care for baseball myself, but my kids do play in the Jeff little league and have for years. The fact that I am not a baseball guy is the sole reason why I have signed my kids up to play little league baseball to learn the game. At some point in their life they will make the decision if they want to pursue baseball or drop it and pursue other sports. I have watched Derek coach these kids and what I have witnessed has been Derek teaching these kids a lot about the game of baseball. He is very knowledgeable of the game and he teach the game with a compassion. As a guy that is not a baseball guy, I am not able to do that. It is my opinion that he is an excellent choice and time will tell if my opinion is correct.