Portsmouth Trojans 2023-24

[BuckeyeBlood]

So can anyone confirm if he is indeed still the coach?

[trojandave]

BuckeyeBlood: All I say with certainty is that Jeff was officially rehired in May, so he is still our coach until things move in a different direction which seems more likely as the days pass by.

[trojandave]

As of today, there is still the very real possibility that Coach Lisath will be coaching the Trojans this season. Big school board meeting tonight which could end up having a major impact on the direction of the basketball program and the fate of Jeff as to whether he stays in Dayton or relocates to Portsmouth which is his desire given the right circumstances. He is excited about this group of varsity Trojans and hopes to get a chance to coach them.

The rumors and innuendos that have been circulated have festered a negative vibe which has made it sound like Jeff staying in Dayton is a done deal.....but it's not a done deal. The door has definitely not been slammed shut. The school year is just a few weeks away which makes tonight's school board meeting all the more important.

For those wondering, Jeff has made contact with the new superintendent. In addition, there is supposed to be several of the basketball players who are planning on attending tonight's board meeting to offer their support for Coach Lisath to be on the sidelines next season.

[trojandave]

Notes from last night's school board meeting:

There was a large number of residents that attended the meeting, and all school board personnel including Superintendent McCorkle were there also. The board informed the public that the district has been put on Fiscal Watch, and that an auditor was going to come in and check the financial situation. As far as relating this to the possible hiring of Jeff Lisath into a position within the PCSD, the board added that hiring anybody else outside of what was outlined in the board minutes would have to be put on hold until there is clarification about the financial situation.

The board did not say that Coach Lisath would not be hired. A number of individuals, including myself, spoke up in the public forum in favor of hiring Jeff into a PCSD position. My major point to the board was that if the financial status of the district improved, would it be possible to hire Jeff into a position where he simultaneously could attain any necessary certificates needed to be hired into another position, for example assistant superintendent which he was at Dayton Northridge. The board did agree that it was possible to be hired into a position while attaining the necessary requirements for another position. I also relayed to the board that there is attrition of personnel every year, which could work in favor of Coach Lisath.

It was a spirited meeting, with a lot of emotion showing in the endorsements for Coach Lisath. At least a half dozen people spoke up publicly, and many good points about hiring Jeff were relayed to the board. The supporters did their best to urge the board to hire Jeff into some position within the PCSD. Several people, including myself, informed the board that Jeff is willing to be flexible income wise. Ultimately hiring Jeff may not happen, but the school board now knows that the support for Coach Lisath is very strong, and to not hire him would be a big loss for the PCSD not only from a basketball standpoint, but from the fact that Jeff could serve as a mentor to many students within the PCSD.

The school board and superintendent were very receptive to the concerns of the attendees, and gave ample time for those people to address those concerns.

[Prime Time]

Good post TrojanDave, Im praying that this works out for the Portsmouth School District and praying for Coach Lisath. Coach Lisath is a beacon of faith, family,and bringing out the best in our youth. My vote is 100 percent behind some kind of solution to Coachs wishes to return to Portsmouth. Everyone in that school district wins with a hire like that!

[SWJeeps22]

I figured he would have been retired and only coaching by now. I hope it works out for PHS, they need to do whatever they can to keep Lisath.

[Hoopster98]

To me this is an exact case of experience over certification. Coach Lisath has been a warden in the prison system, has also been coaching since the late 80's, he is a man of GOD, and has been in the school system at Dayton Northridge. Now, there is no way you can't tell me this man does not have experience dealing with school issues. I understand the state wants certification and the district has to follow what the state wants, but to me Coach Lisath has every box checked in order to make him qualified. Look at what he has down since he has been down at Portsmouth, the program/basketball community has been rejuvenated. Kids coming to play for Coach Lisath. Experience over certification.

[art_vandelay]

PHS in a real tough spot with the state currently investigating/auditing their schools over unrelated matters. Everything they do will be put under a microscope, so any new hire will they have to be by the book. Hope they can figure it out because Coach Lisath could build something special down there and is a community asset for the city in general.*

[BuckeyeBlood]

Have to wonder if some of the kids that moved in to play for coach Lisath will end up leaving due to the uncertainty of if he will be coaching them come November.

[Hoopster98]

I believe they will be there. I firmly believe Coach Lisath will be the coach THIS YEAR due to the timing of everything, but after this year unless things happen within the district I don't see him coming back next season.

[trojandave]

I've talked to multiple sources, including one player's parent in particular, and the indication is that the kids who are at PHS are not leaving. Looking at the transfers, all 3 would be giving up a starting spot if they left. Doesn't make much rational sense to give up a starting spot.

You always have to have a Plan B if Plan A is not feasible. Plan B isn't in effect just yet, but as time goes the PCSD will have to figure out who will be the boys basketball coach for next season.

[SpaceJamMan]

If schools don’t have the money to pay him where the community support? Churches, community centers, community members step up and pay him the rest! We need him!

[ItsMyOpinion]

This is a very difficult situation for the Portsmouth City Schools. They are at a place financially where they can't pay anywhere close to the type salary that Northridge School District is. The board of education and the administration has a responsibility to make wise decisions for the taxpayers in the Portsmouth City School District. As popular of figure as the current coach is, it is not realistic to think Portsmouth Schools can or will pay a salary of that magnitude. It would not be financially responsible.

Unfortunately for the kids at Portsmouth it is impossible for their coach to live in Dayton and run everything at the level Trojan Basketball deserves to be run at. It is no fault of the coach but he can't be in two different parts of the state at the same time. There were many things the coach missed out on this past year because of distance between the two places. (Ex: practices, lifting, open gym, shoot-outs, etc.) I know the common fan is going to say "He has capable assistants running the program in his absences". My response would be ..... "Then why are these capable assistants not in the head coaching position? I'm sure there will be dialogue both ways on this topic but that is my personal opinion.

Regardless of personal opinion, it is a tough position for Portsmouth Basketball Fans. Best of luck to everybody involved moving forward.

[trojandave]

If Jeff Lisath is to coach the Trojans this coming season, 2 things have to happen; 1) a job within the school district has to be offered him, and 2) he has to be flexible in the amount of income he wishes to attain. It is highly unlikely that Jeff will continue to coach even though he was re-hired in May. The grind of travel from Dayton to Portsmouth and back can take a toll on anyone.

If either of these 2 things above are not feasible, then Portsmouth will be searching for a new HC. Not just a new HC, but a whole staff would need to be put together. A varsity coach, varsity assistant, JV coach, and freshmen coach will all have to be hired if Jeff does not return. The varsity coach has to have a varsity assistant in the event of absences by the varsity coach, and to have a separate JV coach who is not the varsity assistant would work better for the JV squad since that team has a completely different roster. It isn't necessarily harmonious to have the JV and varsity practice together.

The community outside the PCSD is not responsible for helping to match the salary that Coach Lisath desires. It is up to him to decide if it is financially soluble to coach the varsity Trojans this coming season. If he is willing to be flexible income wise, that certainly helps, but if there isn't a job within the PCSD available, being flexible financially becomes a moot point.

Jeff wants to be in the HS and JH building so that he can be a mentor to not only the basketball players, but to the general student population.

One thing for certain is that Jeff knows how much the Portsmouth community wants him. That was clearly evident by the turnout at the last school board meeting.

The school year is approaching fast.......decisions have to be made regarding the boys basketball team. Those decisions must be what is best for the program; the players, fans, and community deserve that.

ItsMyOpinion: Very good post.

[Pinwheel]

I told everyone a few months ago on the
" Who's looking for a coach this year"

That maybe Portsmouth and got run out the room,and here we sit .

Now through the rumor meal I hear this.
Coach Tom Barrick , possible assistant coaches Hopkins amd Whitley?

We shall see.

[Pinwheel]

Looks like some internal sabotage could be going on as well.

To be continued

[PTrojan59]

Well it’s August, school starts in 3 weeks…these kids need a coach locked in place!

[Gator B Long]

This situation should’ve not happened. Coach Lisath should’ve never taken the job w/o having a full-time job at Portsmouth and relocating. The opportunity to take his “dream job” overrode the logistics of daily driving from Dayton for games and practices.

[art_vandelay]

I told everyone a few months ago on the
" Who's looking for a coach this year"

That maybe Portsmouth and got run out the room,and here we sit .

Now through the rumor meal I hear this.
Coach Tom Barrick , possible assistant coaches Hopkins amd Whitley?

We shall see.

If they hire anybody but a current staff member (or another PHS alum), may not be much of a team left by time season rolls around. Situation needs resolved yesterday.*

[Hoopster98]

The school board needs to step in and require a decision. Maybe a decision has been made and it’s not out to the public. The longer a decision waits the worse it will be if he decides not to come back.