[Football1]

So, if Mills does ultimately head back to Log Mountain, what do those Knox fans think will happen with the Panthers' head coaching job? Will they open up a search or hire from within?

And for what it's worth, I simply don't see Bell County's move to AAA one that will necessarily put any more state titles in the trophy case. Breathitt, Belfry, Corbin, Russell, Tilghmann and (oh yeah) Louisville Central might pose a little bit of competition for the Bobcats.

I'm on record (and prepared to eat Crow) with strong belief that Coach Mills will lead the Panthers to their 1st District and Regional Championship in 2011. God forbid, I eat crow I would hope our school would conduct a thorough search for a qualified coach. We have a good internal candidate in Russel but others should be brought to the table and a decision made solely based on who will be the kind of leader that teaches young men to be winners on the field, the classroom, the community, their churches, and their families. We have the epitome of that today in Wayne Mills. If he leaves for 3A land, we should settle for nothing less than the same.

The kids who play here now have given thousands of hours starting for many in Kindergarten to get where they are now as players. They, under Mills, have brought unparalled success to what once was a joke of a program. They deserve the best.