[Hoot Gibson]

I hope that Paintsville is open to giving members of the staffs at Paintsville and Johnson Central serious consideration for the HC job. Surely, between two Johnson Central schools that have made deep playoff runs and won state championships recently, there must be one assistant coach who warrants a shot at the job. 

Being mentored by a great head coach for several years in a successful program is better than having HC experience in a struggling program, IMO. I would hate to see Coach Matney lose an assistant but I am sure that he would be the first to congratulate any young man on accepting his first head coaching position.

Johnson Central is very good at keeping their own. Most people on the coaching staff that would even be considered for the HC job would be crazy to leave their situation. I would love to see it, but that would be a long shot. Some things have happened over the years that have left a bad taste in the mouth of coaches at JC w/ kids transferring from JC to Paintsville and vice versa. I do think it is possible that maybe one JC coach would consider, but again very unlikely.

Every HC worth his salt should be devoting time every day developing his staff so that if they choose, they will be ready to take over a program as HC some day, IMO. Good coaches are good teachers and that includes training their staffs as well as their players. I have not kept up with who is on JC's staff but I know that there was at least one PHS alumnus on Matney's staff who, if he is still there, would certainly be ready for a HC job if he wanted one.

I am aware of things that have happened between Paintsville and JC, going back to the early 70s, in multiple sports and at multiple levels, but most of those responsible for what happened are no longer around. Maybe it's time to let go of old grudges and elevate the rivalry to a more friendly level.