I suppose this makes Coach Persin a great coach now

[pmow3]

I've always been sick of people saying he couldn't win a championship. He did so much with less for years. He's a great coach and technician. Congrats to the Oaks. What a great win for Oak Hill, coach Persin and Southeastern Ohio! Stormin' Norman!! choke on that, doubters!

[avalanche]

Amen.

[Captain Coupon]

You're right, sometimes coaches like Persin do win. Just look at the resume of Kortokrax. What a career topper.

[orangepanther]

very few coaches have the records Norm does. However icing on the cake is Sweet!!!! Congrats friend.

[BuckeyeFan66]

Norm is a great coach and legend regardless of how this game would have went. Think of all the coaching legends that never won a state title.

Hawhee at Waverly, Arch Justice at Clay, Mike Hughes, Burg and Green, Barrick, Burg, Carl Wolfe, Larry Jordan, I could go on and on.

It takes coaching and a little luck, glad the ball finally bounced Norm's way!

[Ironman92]

Norm had 2 To's late in the game and came out of both with open looks and huge points from Borden...one on a 3 and one on a cutting layup.

[FANOSPORTS]

Norm is a coach along with the other's mentioned above who have all made it to the state tournament with some being there more than once. To win a title you have to have a little luck on your side along with talent and be in the right place at the right time. Two other great coaches I can think of right off hand that are not mentioned in the post above from SE Ohio that haven't won a state title are Rick VanMatre (Greenfield McClain) and Terry Leggett who just recently passed away who took his Old Washington Buckeye Trail teams through the district's and regionals a couple times only to lose in Columbus. (I believe his nephew played for Cambridge this year in the regionals).

[daluvofallsports]

in my book persin has always been a great coach. knows the game and knows how to take a group of kids and form a great team. he is highly repected by his team and they know what is expected of them. all of us from southern ohio are very proud of these boys. this game was one of the best games ive ever watched. way to go oaks.

[Interested In All]

Norm is a great coach and legend regardless of how this game would have went. Think of all the coaching legends that never won a state title.

Hawhee at Waverly, Arch Justice at Clay, Mike Hughes, Burg and Green, Barrick, Burg, Carl Wolfe, Larry Jordan, I could go on and on.

It takes coaching and a little luck, glad the ball finally bounced Norm's way!

All but one that you metioned above made it to the final four. Rice and Zornes both from Ironton can be added to the coaches from this area that made it to the final four
Also, theres no question that Norm has earned his stripes-- A big salute to him

[Ptown Playmaker]

Well stated! Nuff said!

[kahn]

http://www.portsmouth.uber.matchbin.net ... umn&open=&

PDT story on the Oaks title.

Congrats to Oak Hill and coach Persin on a great season.

[ProtecThisHouse]

The boys won because they were well coached. Norm drew up the first shot for Borden out of a timeout for a 3 in the fourth and then he drew up the 2nd three in the huddle during the first overtime and it even showed on TV where he drew up the backdoor cut Borden did in the 2nd overtime. GREAT COACH!!!!! GREAT TEAM!!! BEST GAME I'VE SEEN ALL TOURNAMENT!!! CONGRATULATIONS OAKS!!

[fbbacker]

For those who take shots at him, they should look at themselves. He has committed himself to coaching the youth of southeastern Ohio for over 20 years and finally, FINALLY yesterday he was rewarded with the ultimate prize. I don't know him personally but his actions after they won told me quite a bit about the man. He wanted his kids to get the credit and he sat back. He didn't take center stage at all. He seems humble. And from what I can tell he is a great technician, teacher and coach of the game. Congrats to Coach Persin and all of the Oaks from Wheelersburg. You guys earned it big time and made Oak Hill and Jackson County proud!

[91blue14]

he was a winner before saturday

[crazee-oakaholic]

congrats coach persin!!!

[Steven A.]

Coach Persin is a class act. He is well respected all over the state of Ohio by HS and college coaches. I was at the championship game and he kept his troops calm when they was about to give the game away. Congrats to Stormin! I was glad I got to be a witness to the first state crown for Oak Hill HS and Coach Persin

[alabama mike]

He may have become a great coach yesterday to people who do not have a clue about basketball. He has done more than coach basketball, he has taught life to young men for many years. Basketball has just been an extension of the job Coach Persin has done. You dont win 500+ games if you cant coach and adapt.

[Coach Coreno]

Norm has always been a great coach! He is a very classy guy. It could not have happen to a more deserving coach! Congrats Norm!

[ocho stinko]

It seems all he does is win. Congrats! How many career wins does he have? Where was his first head coaching stint?

[pmow3]

Great posts by all. I want to make very clear that there are alot of great coaches that have not tasted a championship. First of all, great coaches teach well, and there can be many coaches that fall under that. Success on the court or field is not what makes the coach. It is the respect that is earned by the players that speak well of him.
There is no doubt Coach Persin was a great coach long before yesterday. I've seen his teams play for a long time now. And everyone of them mirror the other in one way. Effort! Wins and losses are just that. But if you made your players better for having played for you, then that's where I am impressed. Congrats to the Oaks.