Portsmouth Trojans 2023-24

[trojandave]

ItsMyOpinion: Thanks for the compliment, and your post is spot on. All good points. Going forward, I just hope that this set of unfortunate events doesn't set us back. We made a lot of progress last season, and we certainly don't want to take 2 steps back. With the kids we have coming back and the ones who transferred in, the pieces are there to have a very good season.

[trojandave]

I edited my post above due to finding a spelling error, but the content of the post is unchanged.

[Gator B Long]

Portsmouth should ask 2 former Trojan HCs -Rick Hopkins and Eugene Collins(class act-may overlook the grounds in which he was replaced)to take the program with Smith on staff (interim for 2024-25 season).The three have loyalty to the town and teams’ success.
Lisath has certainly lost some credibility in town with the recent happenings, but we don’t know everything involved in the process.

[Prime Time]

Wasnt there a connection with Shawnee State Coachs a few years ago. Maybe that connection could do it this year, Coachs Collins, Arnzen and Smith. I know its not possible but Coach Amy Hughes and Coach Mike Hughes for the girls is top notch Coachs in the State. I think they could provide a steady influence there while things get straightened out. Lots of basketball minds in Portsmouth. Head Coach Tom Smith is still around the program for his insight. Head Coach Rick Hopkins still in area. As was posted by someone else Heach Coach Tom Barrick, Sounds like excellent Coaching at junior high level also. Good Luck in finding a top quality Head Coach. Trojan Dave excellent run downs. I still say Coachs Hughes are the best in State and if not there right there with the best. Just look at the program they have built from the ground up to now. From my understanding the junior high teams will be awesome in the years to come, talent everywhere on those teams.

[Hoopster98]

There is a coach across the river that has ties to Portsmouth. Wonder if he will get a call? My guy is telling me they let Coach Smith coach this year, see how the season goes, and then go from there. Too late I believe to go out and get a new coach from the outside. Rick Hopkins is not coming back.

[OVC]

From what I understood and heard from some sources, the school district has bigger problems than a position for the basketball coach. The new superintendent has his hands full, that’s for sure. I think having a transition of three superintendents over the course of a school year is a major factor, but at the end of the day, why would the coach drag it out?

[PTrojan59]

No idea if Aaron Smith will even be in the running for this job, but after what he did this summer, I think he deserves a shot.

[trojandave]

OVC: You are correct about problems for the PCSD administration to work out, but they are still obligated to hire the best coach available for the boys basketball team. As I said in my post above, the administration is partially responsible for the basketball situation that has evolved. Not only that, but with the salaries they make, hiring a varsity basketball coach and staff is not above their pay grade.

Hopefully the hire they make will make a commitment to be the HC more than 1 year. "Candle in the Wind" is what we don't need. We just went through that. I can't speak for Aaron Smith as to whether he's interested or not, but he's been on the staff for a few years now, both as varsity assistant and JV coach. So he's demonstrated some level of commitment to the program. There's plenty of basketball wisdom that he can turn to in his father Tom Smith and Eugene Collins, both of whom are still very close to the program. In fact, Collins helped out last season, even coaching practice on occasion.

[EdChambers]

Portsmouth job has been posted per OHSBCA twitter. Deadline is 4:00 pm on Monday, August 19.

Has also been posted on the OHSAA site.

[yabbadabbadoo]

The job should be Aaron Smith's from all I've read on here what he has done for those kids this summer. He has been a part of that program for a long time and he has always been dedicated to coaching his Trojans.

He is the best candidate for the job

[biggdowgg]

I'm thinking Smitty gets it ,and I'm hearing he has already talked to a few really good assistants that has agreed to help if he gets it .

I also feel he will do really well with this team too.
He definitely deserves the opportunity!
A shame that we are searching for a coach this late in the season, moving forward I would hope the board puts a deadline on ANY coach commiting to accept a job because this looks to familiar.

[CuckooNest]

I don’t know what was discussed behind the scenes, but how was Lisath ever going to work out at Portsmouth?

Look it up at buckeyeinstitute.org. Lisath made $127,000 last year at Northridge and Dutey made $105,000 as Super for Portsmouth. Was he ever going to be superintendent and basketball coach? Even then would he have done that for a $22,000 yearly decrease? Seems like it was never going to work.

[biggdowgg]

I don’t know what was discussed behind the scenes, but how was Lisath ever going to work out at Portsmouth?

Look it up at buckeyeinstitute.org. Lisath made $127,000 last year at Northridge and Dutey made $105,000 as Super for Portsmouth. Was he ever going to be superintendent and basketball coach? Even then would he have done that for a $22,000 yearly decrease? Seems like it was never going to work.

You are right,I don't feel like it was going to ever happen either, I'm hearing Lisath was offered around or a little over 130.000 a year at Northridge with a 5 year contract,he wasn't going to make nothing near that at Portsmouth, both party's new this and this decision should have been made a month ago from one side or the other.

I still feel like Portsmouth will be in good hands and after a week or so everyone will see

[Jeff Lisath]

I was honored when asked to return to Portsmouth to coach basketball last season. It was one of my heart's desires and childhood dreams to return home and coach where I experienced great success as a player and Assistant coach. Also to return to a city that I will always love and where I enjoyed growing up as a child. I believe everything happens for a reason, the Bible teaches me in Ecclesiastes 3 “To everything there is a season” and there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” I know there’s a lot of speculation but nobody knows an integral part of the discussions or even what transpired before me taking on the position. Passing judgment on me is okay, it’s a part of life, I respect your feelings, but I thought I would share some of the facts.

It just made practical sense for me to resign as I spent all last season juggling a full-time position in another school district over two hours away (one-way) practically every day for approximately five months. This was a huge challenge and sacrifice; however, I knew it would be when I said yes…I apologize to the kids for the delay; however, as I told them I was dealing with many “what if” scenarios that I needed to consider. Although I refuse to throw anyone under the bus, several meetings and conversations were happening behind the scenes before and during the season regarding my status. I communicated with the kid's coaches and other stakeholders what I faced going into the summer. I have been open and honest to anyone who has asked me since March. Being able to coach the Trojans was a gift in my mind and I know someday I will understand the magnitude of it and the answer to why I can't finish what I started. At least for now…or at least in the same capacity. But, trust me I loved it...it's about more than just basketball...

This was not a money issue it was a job issue. I love my job at Northridge as Director of Operations and assistant to the Superintendent, it allows me to make a positive impact on kids on and off the court every day. God truly blessed me when he allowed me to do that in two different school districts miles apart. I love building lifetime relationships with the kids I coach and will never forget the special group of kids I coached this past year at PHS. There are so many similarities between both schools, you would be surprised how much and so much work to be done on and off the court at both schools.
I haven’t turned my back on the kids at Portsmouth I’m still mentoring a couple of kids even though I’m not there, we stay in contact.

As for coaching at two places this summer, I haven't been named the head coach at Northridge, as someone implied. I was filling in temporarily for the AD when looking for games. This is not to say I will not apply because I do want to coach.

I want to thank the PCSD board for allowing me to coach a great group of young men and helping to restore the rich tradition of Portsmouth Trojan Boys Basketball. Thanks to the community for your unrelenting support and last but not least my outstanding coaching staff led by Aaron Smith, Jerald Gordon, Craig Massie, Joe Greene, Kevin Monroe, and the behind-the-scenes guys Eugene Collins, Len Collins, Jim Stanley, Terry Lewis, Tom Bailey, RK Thurman, and Marcus Bendolph. Aaron Smith has been a loyal assistant coach in the system for several years and deserves some consideration for the job. Yes, he did take over coaching duties for summer basketball under my direction to help him get a feel of what being a head coach will look like during the all-important summer season! Joe Greene who was on staff is an up-and-coming young coach with a great basketball mind. I was also contacted by other potential candidates but, I’m not sure they have or will apply. I told them it’s the best coaching job in the state. I will always want to be a part of the building or rebuilding the tradition of boys' basketball at PHS. I recently nominated the Portsmouth State Championship Teams to be inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/

[PTrojan59]

I was honored when asked to return to Portsmouth to coach basketball last season. It was one of my heart's desires and childhood dreams to return home and coach where I experienced great success as a player and Assistant coach. Also to return to a city that I will always love and where I enjoyed growing up as a child. I believe everything happens for a reason, the Bible teaches me in Ecclesiastes 3 “To everything there is a season” and there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” I know there’s a lot of speculation but nobody knows an integral part of the discussions or even what transpired before me taking on the position. Passing judgment on me is okay, it’s a part of life, I respect your feelings, but I thought I would share some of the facts.

It just made practical sense for me to resign as I spent all last season juggling a full-time position in another school district over two hours away (one-way) practically every day for approximately five months. This was a huge challenge and sacrifice; however, I knew it would be when I said yes…I apologize to the kids for the delay; however, as I told them I was dealing with many “what if” scenarios that I needed to consider. Although I refuse to throw anyone under the bus, several meetings and conversations were happening behind the scenes before and during the season regarding my status. I communicated with the kid's coaches and other stakeholders what I faced going into the summer. I have been open and honest to anyone who has asked me since March. Being able to coach the Trojans was a gift in my mind and I know someday I will understand the magnitude of it and the answer to why I can't finish what I started. At least for now…or at least in the same capacity. But, trust me I loved it...it's about more than just basketball...

This was not a money issue it was a job issue. I love my job at Northridge as Director of Operations and assistant to the Superintendent, it allows me to make a positive impact on kids on and off the court every day. God truly blessed me when he allowed me to do that in two different school districts miles apart. I love building lifetime relationships with the kids I coach and will never forget the special group of kids I coached this past year at PHS. There are so many similarities between both schools, you would be surprised how much and so much work to be done on and off the court at both schools.
I haven’t turned my back on the kids at Portsmouth I’m still mentoring a couple of kids even though I’m not there, we stay in contact.

As for coaching at two places this summer, I haven't been named the head coach at Northridge, as someone implied. I was filling in temporarily for the AD when looking for games. This is not to say I will not apply because I do want to coach.

I want to thank the PCSD board for allowing me to coach a great group of young men and helping to restore the rich tradition of Portsmouth Trojan Boys Basketball. Thanks to the community for your unrelenting support and last but not least my outstanding coaching staff led by Aaron Smith, Jerald Gordon, Craig Massie, Joe Greene, Kevin Monroe, and the behind-the-scenes guys Eugene Collins, Len Collins, Jim Stanley, Terry Lewis, Tom Bailey, RK Thurman, and Marcus Bendolph. Aaron Smith has been a loyal assistant coach in the system for several years and deserves some consideration for the job. Yes, he did take over coaching duties for summer basketball under my direction to help him get a feel of what being a head coach will look like during the all-important summer season! Joe Greene who was on staff is an up-and-coming young coach with a great basketball mind. I was also contacted by other potential candidates but, I’m not sure they have or will apply. I told them it’s the best coaching job in the state. I will always want to be a part of the building or rebuilding the tradition of boys' basketball at PHS. I recently nominated the Portsmouth State Championship Teams to be inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/

Coach I won’t sit here and pretend to know what happened in this situation. You just laid a lot out there for people to know and I appreciate that. It sucks you aren’t able to finish the job you started. I will say the 1 year with you at the helm was fun though. The team was much improved from the year prior, crowds were much larger, excitement was in the community. It was a year of Portsmouth basketball people will remember. I hope maybe one day you’ll be able to return and finish what you started. In the mean time good luck with your future coaching endeavors. As for the Trojans I think they’ll be alright. Idk who will get the job, but I do know there’s a good group of kids there with a lot of talent. This seems like a good way to close this chapter and move on from the 23-24 Trojans to the 24-25 Trojans. Good luck coach!

[BlacksforTrump]

Aaron Smith sucked this summer and Jeff Lisath played the hole city

[BlacksforTrump]

Portsmouth needs a new coach with no ties to that dump

[BandWagon]

Aaron did go 2-7 in the summer

[BuckeyeBlood]

Aaron Smith sucked this summer and Jeff Lisath played the hole city

Your username is almost as ridiculous as this post

[BlacksforTrump]

Ridiculous is hiring a custodian to coach varsity basketball