[WILDCAT NATION]

I will stand by my predictions with the hope that you are closer to being correct than me. I have rarely seen a new coach come into a situation like this one and win right away. Especially this late in the year. New offense, new defense, new special teams, new staff, new philosophy on everything. From what I've heard this was not a smooth removal of Coach Fields. When this happens, generally speaking, there is resentment that lingers among the players. From your previous post you said that the JV where undefeated. I'm assuming that JV team had their success under Coach Fields' guidance. There will be kids that resist change. Whoever the new coach turns out to be, he will need to win those kids over, which will take time; and being this late in the year, that's time he won't have. I heard a very high profile coach once say that, when going into a new job, you might as well throw out the first season. Any wins there are bonus; icing on the cake. He was a very successful guy at the college level that had moved up the ladder. I can't recall his name but I heard him speak at the Louisville Coach of the Year Clinic about ten years ago. (Maybe Mark Richt?) anyway, loyalty takes time to build. That's one of the hardest things to build as a new staff. Again, I hope I'm wrong and Bath wins 7+ games. I'm glad Bath is back in the more traditional EKC district. It will eventually reignite many old rivalries and makes more sense for them geographically. I'm basing all of this on what I've seen/experienced in the past. History has a way of repeating itself.

On another note, even though I haven't spoke to Coach Fields in a while, I know this must be difficult for him. I've been through the same thing. He always talked good about his players and was always optimistic. I hope he continues to coach. I know there are many schools out there that would be elated to have a class act like him leading their program.

Your correct in the JV success was under his guidance. I don't agree on the 1st season deal at the high school level. College yes because those players were recruited by the previous coach. High school players are there regardless. Off season conditioning has continued and the players are still coming. The senior class has to be (and seems to be so far) on board. They love Coach Fields still but this is their last season. They do not have the luxury of time either and they are who the new coach will lean on the most given the size of the class. Puts the new coach and the seniors in the same boat. If the SR's lead the others will follow.

I think you will start hearing about the position in the very near future. Let's revisit this thread then as the new coach may change some opinions about the coming season.