In My Opinion

A few weeks back I told you here that I had never asked any of the top brass at Rocky Mount High School how the search was coming for a new football coach.  Like you I heard every rumor you did.  Wednesday when the Rocky Mount Telegram ran a story about  about the leading candidates I read with interest the comment s in the paper.  It was about 50/50 for B W Holt to come back and elevate Jason Battle to the head job.

If you recall there was a fire storm three years ago when Dickie Schock got the job about 50% for Schock back then and 50% didn't want him. If the believe the paper the final two candidates were the coach that has the best winning percentage in Rocky Mount history B W Holt and Assistant Jason Battle.

I need to wake everyone up in the world of reality.  There are a lot of you folks who thought that every coach worth his salt would apply for this job.  I am willing to bet you that didn't happen.  Why  would any coach who is already a headman some where else and is already successful want to come to Rocky Mount when every time you turn around Rocky Mount is in the news cause somebody shot somebody or that the unemployment in this area is near the worse in the state.  Guess what folks a pretty new football stadium ain't enough to get quality proven winners.

Yes everyone thinks B W Holt could have come back and brought back the glory days.  He just might have but for how long.  The biggest mistake made in the past three years was letting Holt get away the first time.  There is no doubt the man loves to teach football and I bet before he dies he will be coaching somewhere because he can't get it out of his blood.  But his time has past at RMHS.

The search committee made the right choice whether it turns out in the future to be a good choice or not.  You have to remember Schock came to Rocky Mount highly recommended by Holt. That 50% that is against the Jason Battle hiring needs to remember that Duke back in 1980 hired Coach K who had a losing record at Army.  Three years into his tenure they were ready to let him ride out of town and yet he is today the all time winningest coach in college basketball history.

All Gryphon fans need to stand up together and move forward with life.  Jason Battle may just surprise you and be the next B W Holt.  If he doesn't get everyone's support it will be just like tying one of his hands behind his back before he ever gets started.  I am sure that Jason will call his own plays with what ever offense he decides to run.  If I were him I would find A B Whitley's number and ask him to be in charge of my defense.  If that was to happen then Jason will have started off making good decisions and good decisions lead to wins.  Something we haven't had enough of lately.