You can't let the inmates run the asylum

I know I am supposed to write about Hollywood today, but I have been following this story through the AJC and since I am again doing High School Football for 790 the Zone this year (High School High 5 Saturday Mornings 9-10 am, and be sure to tune in August 23 for the Corky Kell Classic as I will be part of the play-by-play team for the 2:30 and 5:30 games. I will also be the voice of North Springs High School Football this season. whew!)

Apparently last year's coach Rodney Cofield was given a promotion which he took to become an assistant principal, but that means he must give up football coaching duties, even though he held both positions last season. After interviewing candidates, the principal decided to go with former Atlanta Falcon FB Stanley Pritchett as the new coach (he was an assistant with Douglass Last year, if I am correct), but this has upset the players.

According to the ajc: A group of senior football players and their parents walked out of a meeting with Washington High School's principal on Monday after lodging a protest to get head football coach Rodney Cofield back on the field.

They plan to meet again Wednesday with principal Carter Coleman and newly hired coach Stanley Pritchett. But what they want hasn't changed: Either Cofield reinstated, or one of his assistants to be his successor.

More than 20 players were at the meeting with Coleman on Monday morning. Afterward, several, including standout wide receiver/cornerback Branden Smith, said they would evaluate the situation before deciding what to do next. Some said they were considering transfer options.

In late June, Cofield was informed by e-mail that he would not be allowed to coach the team this season because he had signed an assistant principal contract during the spring. Cofield held both roles last season and oversaw spring and the majority of the summer practices before his removal.

Hi, this is cute and all, but come on. I know you loved your old coach, but HE took the promotion ON HIS OWN and you guys need to move on. Would you have liked for an assistant to get the job? Probably, but now you seniors are upset because you will have to learn a brand new system for just one year. I don't really get this. If you DO pressure the school into changing coaches, that will set a dangerous precedent. You just can't do this if you are the school. Oh the students don't want class on Friday. They protest. They don't want homework. They protest.
You have to say, "Sorry, but this is how it is KIDS." If you want to transfer and possibly NOT be eligible, GO AHEAD. But why not just suck it up, learn a new system, and try and win. The star CB, you REALLY want this hanging over you and you get a label as a whiny crybaby before the colleges come recruiting you? Go ahead.

Just remember, this coach TOOK THE PROMOTION, knowing it could cost him his coaching job. He took the money. Too bad, so sad. Get on with it.

And if the seniors DO transfer, the team will stink this year probably, but, as Michigan says, "Those who stay will be champions. Well, maybe not champs, but they will have the respect of a new coach and he will likely be grateful. Just play. this is HIGH SCHOOL after all. You guys have seen Varsity Blues a little too often. Paul Walker is NOT walking through that door. James van der Beek is NOT walking through that door. Billy Bob might be though. He needs the work....