John Royster. VC's best basketball coach ever

[threesportathlete09]

Honestly I had 2 personal experiences with Combs where he disrespected me and that is why I didn't go out my senior year. Basketball was not my sport I will admit that. I played under Combs in baseball. And no where on here did I say I didn't like Combs. I do not have a problem with Combs as a person at all. The way I was treated as a player and from what fans of VC basketball told me I was glad to only play JV my Junior year. To be part of that undefeated team for Coach Royster is probably the best memory I have from HS basketball.

[threesportathlete09]

Well put hawkeye and looking at it that way as the stuff that I never saw personally, it does seem wrong to compare the two coaches. The VC county program as a whole is one strong unit and to point out any one coach as the main reason for that success, past or present, was not the best thing to do on my part. I guess knowing me as many of you do, I just related to Royster's coaching style better. He was all business from the time warm-ups started before each game til the end of the game. Having a Character like he did where you could share a laugh with him in the middle of the game or his big headed assistant coach was a great thing to share during a 20-0 season.

[boilermaker]

Well I know both men as well. Athough myself and Royster poke alot of fun at each other. We both grew up in the same neighborhood he was a couple of years older ,but I spent alot of time at their house with his younger brother . Matt Combs is a great coach and I would never say anything bad about him . He runs and has a great program . I also think That if Jonh was given the chance he would have the same results as Combs . Both good guys and good Highschool coaches. I can take them both in Golf though!

[VIKED_MAN]

COMBS! NUFF SAID
GO VIKES

[Spartan]

There are always coaching openings out there. If Coach Royster took one of them then you could compare the two, and it isnt like VC was the mecca of se ohio basketball before Coach Combs got there. You cant compare until both guys have set in the "first" seat on the bench.

[Ty Webb]

Royster was very interested in the Wellston job when it was thought that Derrow would not be rehired after his "suspension" for the recruiting violation. However, Derrow was rehired so it dashed Royster's dreams of being the head coach at his alma mater.

I heard the same thing. And I know Royster always looked up at Derrow as his mentor and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

[Run Bubba Run]

Spot on Hawkeye!

IMHO, what makes Combs' record at VC stand out is his uncanny ability to get his team to play hard-nosed and disciplined defense. That simply does not happen unless players absolutely respect their coach. Playing offense is easy, playing defense takes much, much more.

tsa, as you get older, you will see the wisdom of speaking from the mind as opposed to speaking from your heart. Besides that, FB was your sport for sure.

[Maroon Shorts]

Coach Combs.
End of conversation.
Hawkeye said it all.