Derry football

[David]

it is time for Coach Ron to step aside and let someone else take the reins at Derry. This is his fourth season and they simply have not improved. 20 of 22 starters back?? Isn't this the class that has 4 year starters?? The offensive line is huge and experienced?? I am not going to mention names, but one of the key seniors simply quit against Latrobe.

I know 2 or 3 people who are very interested in the Derry job. Does anyone know anything about Polinsky? Is he a school teacher at Derry? Did he play college ball somewhere?

[The real world]

Coach Polinsky is not a teacher.

[Trojan Pride]

I dont know what his profession is. Here is another strange thing, I don't think they have a single teacher on the coaching staff. I think you lose the teacher/coach/player rapport that exists when all you have is outsiders coaching. And all the coaches have pretty much gone to derry and I dont think that is a good thing either.

[mikeymike100]

didn't polinsky and AD bisi play in same band at one time? bisi should have recused himself from the hiring process.

I have heard of at least one person who is currently an asst. coach at a very successful western PA high school is interested.

ron has had plenty of time to turn it around. I am not sure if the coaches have quit on the kids or if the kids have quit on the coaches. probably both. but a change is surely needed.

[Derry Alumnist]

I have been a very close witness to much of at LEAST the past four years of football at Derry, knowing all of the coaches and especially this senior class. This has become a complex tale of events. The coaches are great people, as are these kids. Unfortunately, something's not getting done quite right.

Why doesn't Joe Boggio, the 7-8-9th grade coach who has either won or come a close 2nd in all of his championship seasons get first dibs at this position? Seems like he can really build a repoire with his kids and have them show exhibit discipline and skill.

Sometimes when you mention his teams, seems like many at Derry are honestly unaware of the caliber he maintains year after year.

[Derry Alumnist]

And, yes, the 'teacher-student' relationship is great, but you don't have to be a teacher to be a great coach. Not at all.

[David]

Derry Alumnist wrote:

I have been a very close witness to much of at LEAST the past four years of football at Derry, knowing all of the coaches and especially this senior class. This has become a complex tale of events. The coaches are great people, as are these kids. Unfortunately, something's not getting done quite right.
Why doesn't Joe Boggio, the 7-8-9th grade coach who has either won or come a close 2nd in all of his championship seasons get first dibs at this position? Seems like he can really build a repoire with his kids and have them show exhibit discipline and skill.
Sometimes when you mention his teams, seems like many at Derry are honestly unaware of the caliber he maintains year after year.

I couldn't agree more, but I suppose you should ask the question to the school board and Bisi. Joe and I were close in age and we both went to Derry Area. I have always liked Joe and I know that kids like and more importantly, RESPECT Joe very much. I think Joe has definitely earned the right to be the next Derry head coach, but I think he would be well served if his staff included some people from outside the Derry Area.

Youre right, something isn't quite right. Derry kids have always been tough hard nosed kids. I get the impression that the players simply don't have great respect for the current coaches.

Plus, I just get tired on hearing Coach Polinsky say the same old things all the time.....gap control on defense, take care of the football on offensve, blah, blah, blah. Like fingernails on a chalkboard, drives me nuts.

But the senior class this year had a lot of success as 7th and 8th graders. This was supposed to be THE year. What happened?

I think what is lost is the development of the "athlete". Back when Derry had good teams, they had athletes....kids that played multiple sports. It is disappointing to see how coaches almost demand exclusive dedication to one sport and one sport only. Look at the Claytons the Sweeneys the Schalls the Dorns. These kids played football, track, baseball, basketball, etc.

[Derry Alumnist]

There is certainly a lack of respect between the coaches and the players. There is a lack of respect amongst the players themselves. It can't be that Po isn't a great guy, HE IS; or that his coaching staff is lacking, they're not. But, what's missing?

Po has always been an advocate for all other sports. He has made this point known OVER and OVER. Many of his senior crew do double sports (many are wrestlers, baseball). He has also pulled in several athletic trainers for sports specific training in the off-season and the season itself. The kids made HUGE gains, then throughout the year, lost their dedication. It's not due to lack of talent or experience, they are stacked with both, esp. this year.

There's a fair amount of loyalty here. Amongst administrators and coaches, and coaches to players. I know from a high school sports career, when you 'sometimes hate' your coach, you're probably a really great team. When you grow up and turn around and see your successes on the field and in the discipline and self-confidence you've picked up, that's when you "LOVE" your coaches.

I hope that we can get Derry football back to "go hard or go home" football, soon. My vote is for Bog'. He has proven he has that 'extra something.' Let him pick his coaching staff, with the stipulation that he brings in some fresh minds...and maybe, just maybe, he can turn the kids' heads, and make them believe, not only in football, but in themselves and in their alma mater.

[Derry Alumnist]

And...as last night is an indicator, when the team plays as a team...outrageous wins happen. When the players play as players, and sulk around the football field, devastating loses happen. And, before long, a senior has graduated, and hasn't tasted the sweetness of a great group effort or team work, or experienced the development of work ethic and self-determination.

[Jagger]

Derry Alumnist wrote:

And...as last night is an indicator, when the team plays as a team...outrageous wins happen. When the players play as players, and sulk around the football field, devastating loses happen. And, before long, a senior has graduated, and hasn't tasted the sweetness of a great group effort or team work, or experienced the development of work ethic and self-determination.

Thanks Dr. Phil. What's an 'alumnist' anyway?? A bauxite miner??

[Derry Alumnist]

Jagger. As always on these message boards, just be hateful and negative. So you can get your much needed attention. Hope your heart gets all fuzzy when you hit the send button.

[Jagger]

Actually, my heart gets fluttery....if it's any of your business.

Whatsamatta you? Can't deal with a little sarcasm?? Rough day in the bauxite mine?

[derriere]

Jagger wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks Dr. Phil. What's an 'alumnist' anyway?? A bauxite miner??

It is hard to deduce anything from a win over southmoreland. their closest game was a 38 point LOSS!

[Jagger]

derriere wrote:

<quoted text>
It is hard to deduce anything from a win over southmoreland. their closest game was a 38 point LOSS!

You're absolutely right. They have a win to build on, and of course that's a good thing.They have four more games against teams they can beat. Relax and see what happens.

[derriere]

Derry Alumnist wrote:

There is certainly a lack of respect between the coaches and the players. There is a lack of respect amongst the players themselves. It can't be that Po isn't a great guy, HE IS; or that his coaching staff is lacking, they're not. But, what's missing?
Po has always been an advocate for all other sports. He has made this point known OVER and OVER. Many of his senior crew do double sports (many are wrestlers, baseball). He has also pulled in several athletic trainers for sports specific training in the off-season and the season itself. The kids made HUGE gains, then throughout the year, lost their dedication. It's not due to lack of talent or experience, they are stacked with both, esp. this year.
There's a fair amount of loyalty here. Amongst administrators and coaches, and coaches to players. I know from a high school sports career, when you 'sometimes hate' your coach, you're probably a really great team. When you grow up and turn around and see your successes on the field and in the discipline and self-confidence you've picked up, that's when you "LOVE" your coaches.
I hope that we can get Derry football back to "go hard or go home" football, soon. My vote is for Bog'. He has proven he has that 'extra something.' Let him pick his coaching staff, with the stipulation that he brings in some fresh minds...and maybe, just maybe, he can turn the kids' heads, and make them believe, not only in football, but in themselves and in their alma mater.

Agree on the experience point, not sure of the talent point. Seriously, if a 4 YEAR STARTER is not an excellent football player by the time he is a senior, then he simply may not have talent.

Joe Boggio would be a great choice. Did he not apply when they last had a vacancy?

[Derry ALUMNI]

And...we'll see tonight what happens. Great toss-up game. In the rain.
Bog' won another two weeks of great football. Back and forth game last night.
Side note: did you know that several of the 9th graders "denied invitations to play with the high school team this year, and instead played under Bog"? Interesting.

[Doomed]

One thing all players have at derry is spirit, no other school can compare to that!

[David]

Derry ALUMNI wrote:

And...we'll see tonight what happens. Great toss-up game. In the rain.
Bog' won another two weeks of great football. Back and forth game last night.
Side note: did you know that several of the 9th graders "denied invitations to play with the high school team this year, and instead played under Bog"? Interesting.

There is no reason that the average 9th grader should be playing with the varsity. There is a huge disparity in size, strength between a kid in 9th grade and a kid in 12th.

That is interesting. I agree with all previous comments endorsing Joe. Come on, the kids love him and he has paid his dues. Give him the keys to the program as it has to be a good thing for the kids.

[David]

Doomed wrote:

One thing all players have at derry is spirit, no other school can compare to that!

I think Derry kids are passionate, but to say no other school has the same level of passion is probably not accurate. You seriously think the kids from Gateway or GCC don't have spirit??? Come on.

[Derry Spirit]

David wrote:

<quoted text>
I think Derry kids are passionate, but to say no other school has the same level of passion is probably not accurate. You seriously think the kids from Gateway or GCC don't have spirit??? Come on.

Spirit? Are you kidding us? Are you living back in the days when Kids actually had school spirit? Those days are gone and not just for Derry, all schools.
To address the Coaches now, it goes without saying that they're re living their school days through these kids which is not a good thing when it is paired with Coaching. Forget PO, he watched one to many sports movies but didn't realize that real life is much different than the big screen. His High School connection with Bisi is in the way. Bog' is the better choice as he has proven to be an effective Coach, motivator, and leader.