Who will be the next Waverly head coach?

[art_vandelay]

This will be a good job in 3 years. No coach in their right mind would touch this job now.

Not so sure as Waverly’s junior high program is in shambles. Unless they bring in a bunch of transfers, Waverly got a 2-3 year window right now to win, and then it gonna be ugly (basketball and football).*

[hbk1999]

You are correct. The 6th grade group is good, but that is a long way off. I can’t see a coach with a name coming to deal with this parent group. It’s not worth it.

[greygoose]

This will be a good job in 3 years. No coach in their right mind would touch this job now.

This is a false statement, right now is the perfect time to take over this program as it could be very strong for the next 2-3 years. Someone could use that as a spring board, parents aside it’ll take a knowledgeable coach who can actually coach. Something that has alluded Waverly since Travis left, I don’t know who’s making the decisions on these guys or if the candidates are just that bad but they haven’t gotten quality quality guys in there yet. This is a good landing spot in terms of talent for the next 2-3 years no one can deny that. Going to take a basketball coach with thick skin but it’s also going to take a guy who can come in and show he knows how to get the best out of each player.

Football is another story next 2-3 years at least could be a struggle, this upcoming season I think you’ll see a 3-4 win team. Just lost a bunch of talent off a team that could only hit .500.

[Seneca]

You are correct. The 6th grade group is good, but that is a long way off. I can’t see a coach with a name coming to deal with this parent group. It’s not worth it.

A bit of a risk, yes. But the payoff could be a career maker. A coach with the gravitas to be a legitimate face of a program could get things in order. Waverly still has a good core of supporters, a silent majority if you will. I'm hoping the right guy can be made to see that by the committee.

[ItsMyOpinion]

I stated earlier in this post, I think the logical person for the job would be Doug Williams. That is if Coach Williams is interested in the position. I say that becasue Waverly is a tough place to coach and unless you have ties to Pike County or the Waverly School System then its tough to establish a fanbase there. From the outside looking in, it looks like the past two coaches struggled to build ties to the community. The other three Pike County schools all have basketball coaches that have ties to their schools. Of course that is just my opinion and I could be completely wrong.

I've heard the previous coach wants the job back but I'm not sure that is the answer either. He had a couple really good year but when his youngest son transferred out of the school system that left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths. Waverly needs to find somebody that can unite the community and relate to their feeder programs. That is not an easy task. In my opinion Waverly needs more than a high school basketball coach. They need a motivator that coaches basketball coach. Then again I'm not sure there are a lot of those type people out there.

[Jeaux Burreaux]

Waverly has the best gym in the SE district. Well up to date weight room and other nice amenities. The right person that WANTS to take this job can do great things

[Zahns Corner]

Waverly has the best gym in the SE district. Well up to date weight room and other nice amenities. The right person that WANTS to take this job can do great things

That would be true if all stakeholders in the program buys into that person's vision. Parents, administrators, and players must be sold on a unified vision for the program. Unfortunately coaches with that skill set are few and far between.

[greygoose]

Waverly has the best gym in the SE district. Well up to date weight room and other nice amenities. The right person that WANTS to take this job can do great things

That would be true if all stakeholders in the program buys into that person's vision. Parents, administrators, and players must be sold on a unified vision for the program. Unfortunately coaches with that skill set are few and far between.

This is probably the most accurate assessment because coaches with those qualities are already with established teams and programs. Those guys stay put once they’ve got a program built.

[hbk1999]

This will be a good job in 3 years. No coach in their right mind would touch this job now.

This is a false statement, right now is the perfect time to take over this program as it could be very strong for the next 2-3 years. Someone could use that as a spring board, parents aside it’ll take a knowledgeable coach who can actually coach. Something that has alluded Waverly since Travis left, I don’t know who’s making the decisions on these guys or if the candidates are just that bad but they haven’t gotten quality quality guys in there yet. This is a good landing spot in terms of talent for the next 2-3 years no one can deny that. Going to take a basketball coach with thick skin but it’s also going to take a guy who can come in and show he knows how to get the best out of each player.

Football is another story next 2-3 years at least could be a struggle, this upcoming season I think you’ll see a 3-4 win team. Just lost a bunch of talent off a team that could only hit .500.

I wish you were right, but no one of any quality will apply for this job in its current state with this group of parents.

[Eugene 2011]

To be honest I think we could see a new guy come to Waverly and completely turn their program around. I don’t know who this could be but it is just a thought

[axebodyspray43]

I've heard a ton of transfer rumors, like Kage Alexander going to Eastern (Beaver) or Chillicothe. But why? Especially after the season they just had. If you are a basketball coach in the southeast area, its either Ironton or Waverly.

[ItsMyOpinion]

I'm not arguing but I've been told just the opposite. I've been told that everybody is staying and that the Alexander kid is definitely staying because of baseball. They said baseball is a priority for him. The middle division of the SOC would not be a good move for his developement and the past couple years Chillicothe Baseball has struggled. I'm sure Alexander's parent and the young man knows this and will make decisions based off what is best for him now and in the future.

I think time will tell what happens at Waverly. I wish the best for Waverly but their administration has a history of missing the boat on coaching hires. We will see if this time they get it right.

[axebodyspray43]

I'm not arguing but I've been told just the opposite. I've been told that everybody is staying and that the Alexander kid is definitely staying because of baseball. They said baseball is a priority for him. The middle division of the SOC would not be a good move for his developement and the past couple years Chillicothe Baseball has struggled. I'm sure Alexander's parent and the young man knows this and will make decisions based off what is best for him now and in the future.

I think time will tell what happens at Waverly. I wish the best for Waverly but their administration has a history of missing the boat on coaching hires. We will see if this time they get it right.

He plays baseball? I had no idea lol

[Tigernation2021]

I've heard a ton of transfer rumors, like Kage Alexander going to Eastern (Beaver) or Chillicothe. But why? Especially after the season they just had. If you are a basketball coach in the southeast area, its either Ironton or Waverly.

He’s not going anywhere, depends on what a kid’s priorities are in terms of leaving to go elsewhere. Take Kate for example, while he’s not going anywhere he’s a highly talented kid who will excel wherever he’s at. Much like the Ironton’s and Burgs out there he can go elsewhere and experience so much more success than what he’s going to have at Waverly. It’s why some leave I can be a great player on an average or below average team or I can be a great player on a team that’s going to make a deep push into the post season and push for a title. Those are the things ppl are remembered for kids simply want to win.

[ItsMyOpinion]

"Much like the Ironton’s and Burgs out there he can go elsewhere and experience so much more success than what he’s going to have at Waverly."

See I view this as part of the problem at Waverly. I'm not attacking Tigernation2021 just making an observation.

The Alexander kid is talented but the mindset that he has to go somewhere else to be successful in my opinon is not true. What happens if all the current athletes stay and they are able to encourage others athletes to transfer into Waverly instead of transferring out of Waverly. Then all of a sudden Waverly is having just as much (or more) success than schools.

What people fail to remember is. Waverly is the last Pike County basketball team to make an apprearance in the Boys Final Four. And that was in the 4 division system which was much tougher than the current 7 divsions. So it can be done again. Waverly is also the last Pike County baseball program to play for a regional championship. (Lost to Indian Valley '24) So to think you have to go somewhere else to have success in my opinion is not true.

Of course "It's Just My Opinion". LOL!

[Jeaux Burreaux]

Leaving Waverly to go to Eastern will not help exposure in any sport. Playing in DVII will not get nearly as much attention as playing in D IV.

[Zahns Corner]

"Much like the Ironton’s and Burgs out there he can go elsewhere and experience so much more success than what he’s going to have at Waverly."

See I view this as part of the problem at Waverly. I'm not attacking Tigernation2021 just making an observation.

The Alexander kid is talented but the mindset that he has to go somewhere else to be successful in my opinon is not true. What happens if all the current athletes stay and they are able to encourage others athletes to transfer into Waverly instead of transferring out of Waverly. Then all of a sudden Waverly is having just as much (or more) success than schools.

What people fail to remember is. Waverly is the last Pike County basketball team to make an apprearance in the Boys Final Four. And that was in the 4 division system which was much tougher than the current 7 divsions. So it can be done again. Waverly is also the last Pike County baseball program to play for a regional championship. (Lost to Indian Valley '24) So to think you have to go somewhere else to have success in my opinion is not true.

Of course "It's Just My Opinion". LOL!

Your post circles back to the question of what is the purpose or mission of a high school athletic program? Championships? Scholly offers? Be a desirable place to attract transfers? Glorify players via social media? Give parents a return on investment from travel ball, etc? Or something else like being the best you can be given the available talent and resources while representing your school and community in a positive manner?

The Waverly coaching situation will resolve itself but it does highlight the new realities confronting high school sports and new demands on coaches. Could coaches like Hawhee, Jordan, Justice, Osborne, Thompson, and Wolfe have the same success today as in the day of old?

[ShooterFlatch]

I have heard that Cole Schafer has applied, most recently coached girls at Whiteoak. Schaefer is young and could be the guy to bind everything together at Waverly, he did a great job of highlighting and promoting his kids on social media as well which is very important in the modern era. Whiteoak had a great season and even knocked off Fayetteville.

[SWJeeps22]

I have heard that Cole Schafer has applied, most recently coached girls at Whiteoak. Schaefer is young and could be the guy to bind everything together at Waverly, he did a great job of highlighting and promoting his kids on social media as well which is very important in the modern era. Whiteoak had a great season and even knocked off Fayetteville.

Just won COY in the district I believe.