Tag: football

MATT TURNER DESERVED MORE SUPPORT

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By Brad Durham

         Matt Turner deserved the opportunity to coach the Warren County High School football team for the next two years. He has dedicated himself to football since he was a student at Warren County Middle School. One coach out of 10 coaches in the past 34 years has led the football team to a winning season at Warren County High School. That coach is Matt Turner.

         During the past 34 seasons, the high school Pioneer football team recorded nine 0-10 regular seasons. The head coaches of those teams were Franklin Fisher, Sid Fritts, Glen Campbell, Heath Woods, Gerald Tidwell, Chris Madewell, Tommy Johnson and Matt Turner. Every head football coach at Warren County who coached for two or more seasons experienced an 0-10 season except Tom Moore.

         It is worth repeating. Only one out of the past 10 coaches in 34 Pioneer football seasons has had a winning season. Matt Turner led the Pioneers to an 8-3 season. Matt Turner has won only three games in the four seasons after his team broke the losing streak. Turner is not the only head coach who has struggled to win football games in Warren County.

         There have been only 11 winning football seasons in the 56-year history of Warren County High School. 80% of Warren County’s high school football seasons have been losing seasons. Losing is the norm, not the exception. 

         Why does each administration keep hiring coaches without providing proper support and leadership for the program? Anyone who becomes superintendent or principal of the high school has to know the history of the football program.

         I have had been able to witness the football program up close for the past 34 years, and in my opinion, there has been a lack of institutional support for the football program since Sid Fritts was the head coach. Everyone involved in the football program and administration since 1994 may disagree with me. From my perspective, the foundation has been cracked and the administration has failed to repair it.

         It takes more than a head coach to support a high school football program. Until the Warren County Schools’ administration can give the proper level of support to the football program, it is not reasonable to expect any different outcomes.

         Warren County keeps putting football coaches into a program that has a 34-year history of losing. The only coach who led his team to a winning season was Matt Turner. Principal Chris Hobbs thinks he has the ability to reboot the football program. I hope the people of Warren County have enough of an interest in the football program to actually hold Chris Hobbs responsible for the reboot. 

         Dr. Grant Swallows stated that he “feels the need to start fresh with a new person in the lead.” It is interesting that Swallows hired a communications director this summer, and he chose to release this statement through that person. Is that how Warren County Schools operates now? Is that the best use of public-school funds in a small town?

         I asked Grant Swallows for an interview recently to discuss the status of Matt Turner’s position and the football program in general. I was given the school’s statement in an email. As a citizen in a small town, I find the lack of direct communication to the public regarding the release of a football coach surprising.

         It is my hope that the Warren County public will demand more answers about why Matt Turner was not retained as head coach. And furthermore, what are the plans to repair the foundation of the high school football program? What makes this administration confident that they can reboot the program and start fresh with a better coach than Matt Turner?

         It would be a mistake to say that this administration alone is responsible for the losing status of the high school football program. However, it would be accurate to state that the present administration bears some responsibility. Leadership starts at the top, and the present administration has not provided the leadership necessary to repair the cracked foundation of Warren County football.

         For anyone paying attention, this is the same administration that hired Mendy Stotts to coach the girls basketball team. This is the same administration that intentionally ended Sable Winfree’s high school basketball career. 

         During the past 25 years, I have worked with hundreds of high school coaches from one end of the state to the other. I have observed a lot of strange decisions that many people in both small and large towns thought would never happen. Witnessing the end of Sable Winfree’s high school basketball career and Matt Turner’s tenure as the head football coach at Warren County High School are as strange as it gets.

         To quote the late great Bishop Desmond Tutu, “when do we stop pulling people out of the river and go upstream and find out why they’re falling in?“

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE WARREN COUNTY SCHOOLS:

Warren County High School Announces Head Coaching Change

McMinnville, Tenn., November 15, 2024 – Warren County High School has announced a change in direction for the leadership of the Pioneer football program. Matt Turner served as the head coach beginning in 2019 and for the last six seasons. His tenure included highlights such as the Pioneers’ first winning season in recent years while simultaneously yielding Warren County’s first-ever Mr. Football in CJ Taylor.

WCHS Executive Principal Chris Hobbs commended Turner for the impact he made on the football program. “I want to personally thank Coach Turner for his dedication, integrity, and the countless hours he has devoted to our school and our students. No one has ever doubted any of those things. In our meetings to evaluate the state of Pioneer football, we felt we needed a ‘reboot’ and thus this decision became necessary,” he said.

Since the end of the 2024 season, Warren County High School has been formulating a plan for the future of the football team, including taking steps to play a more competitive, non-region schedule in 2025 and 2026.

“I want to thank Coach Matt Turner for his time as the head coach of our football program. He has been invaluable for many years and is a Pioneer to his core. His commitment and the investment into the lives of our student-athletes is second to none,” said Dr. Grant Swallows, Director of Schools, Warren County Schools. “With that said, Warren County High School is in the midst of a new course for the program and feels the need to start fresh with a new person in the lead. That decision should not diminish the fact that Matt Turner is an outstanding leader of young men and that he has done tremendous work over the last 6 seasons. The search for a new coach will begin immediately and will take place over the next few weeks,” he added.

Creed Adams Returns to Nunley Stadium

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By Brad Durham

Pioneer quarterback, Brady Swallows is pursued by Tullahoma defender, Creed Adams, No. 2

There were contrasts between Warren County and Tullahoma Friday night at Nunley Stadium. Tullahoma was dominant on the field with a convincing 32-7 victory over the Pioneers. The visitors may have also dominated in the stands. Tullahoma filled their side of the stadium with fans and their band. They even had an overflow of fans onto the track. There were many empty seats on the home side of the field. Ultimately, it was a contrast of winning versus losing. 

Tullahoma scored on all four of their possessions in the first half. Their only major flaws were on special teams — missed extra point conversions and a fumbled punt return.

In the first quarter, Tullahoma fumbled a punt return and Warren County recovered the football near midfield. The score was 6-0 in Tullahoma’s favor at this stage of the game. On their first play after recovering the fumble, Warren County executed a hook and lateral pass successfully for a 9-yard gain. Two plays later, a holding penalty negated a run by junior Isaiah Robledo that would have given the Pioneer’s a first down deep in Tullahoma territory. The inability to advance the ball after a big gain on first down forced the Pioneers to punt. Tullahoma scored two plays later to go up 12-0 with only :48 seconds left in the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same with Tullahoma scoring on their next two possessions that increased their lead to 25-0. Warren County threw a Hail Mary pass with :35 seconds left in the first half, which was intercepted. A touchdown-saving tackle near the goal line prevented Tullahoma from scoring again as time expired in the first half.

Freshman quarterback AJ Whitman, No. 25 is under center late in the second half against Tullahoma. Other Pioneer players are sophomore Ethan Holder, No. 56, junior Hayden Watts, No. 53, senior Jon-David Vanatta and freshman, David Franco, No. 78. No. 45 for Tullahoma is junior, Thomas Anderson.

Tullahoma returned the opening second half kickoff for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and Tullahoma went up 32-0. Tullahoma started substituting players on both sides of the ball after its first defensive possession. Warren County mounted an impressive 88-yard scoring drive in the third quarter to put points on the board. There was no more scoring in the game which ended with a 32-7 win for Tullahoma.

POST GAME COMMENTS

After the game, coaches on both teams made similar comments about the Warren County football team. Pioneer offensive coordinator, Josh Harris indicated that the Pioneers are lacking size in certain areas, and were injured, which forced younger players to be in the game. Defensive coordinator Camron Bond said, “At this point in the season, we have some injuries and some younger guys are playing. They are making improvements. We have been undersized, and are struggling to make plays at the point of contact.”

Tullahoma head coach Coy Sisk, echoed what coaches Harris and Bond stated. Sisk said, “Warren County did what they could. They’re banging and doing what they can do. Defensively, they just got a little outmatched in the secondary. Their front line is pretty tough. Once you get in the backfield, they are just not as big as the guys they have been playing.”

A familiar face was wearing a different uniform in the game. Creed Adams, No. 2 was starting at linebacker for the Wildcats. His family moved to Tullahoma earlier this year. Adams is a senior and he is on track to play in his first playoff game. Creed is also experiencing his first winning season as a high school football player. Creed Adams was a freshman the year after the Pioneers went 8-3 in 2020. .

Creed Adams stood out in Warren County as a freshman because of his natural athletic ability and intense determination. Adams has a strong drive to excel at football. This spring he increased his strength in the weight room at Tullahoma. He has impressed his coaches at Tullahoma with his dedication and positive, respectful attitude.

Adams expressed some of his feelings about coming back to McMinnville and leaving with a victory. He said, “Of course I wanted to win and that makes me happy. But I like seeing all my guys too. Right now, we are 4-1 in the region, and we have big playoff hopes.” Before Creed Adams left the stadium, he went over and embraced his former coaches with hugs and spoke to his former head coach, Matt Turner.

Warren County head coach Matt Turner reflected after the game about what his team is experiencing. Turner said, “We have had a tough, tough schedule this year. Everybody on our schedule is either undefeated or has only a few losses. These boys (Pioneers) are playing well and giving it everything they’ve got. We don’t have much depth, and it is unfortunate that not enough of their classmates are out (on the football team). I am so proud of these guys who are out here busting their tail Monday through Thursday, and then showing up on Friday and giving it everything they’ve got.”

Turner continued, “We saw when Tullahoma started pulling out their number ones that we started being more competitive. That is where we are as a program. Tullahoma won a state championship a few years ago. They may be a smaller school, but they are a damn good football team. We have some good football players who are busting their tails, and we have another opportunity next week to go knock this goose egg off our record.”

The Pioneers are 0-8 for the season. Tullahoma is 5-3, and two of their losses were against larger 6A teams. Next week Warren County travels to Lebanon to face Wilson Central in a region game. Wilson Central is 2-6 and 0-4 in the region. 

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

CREED ADAMS

MATT TURNER, WARREN COUNTY HEAD COACH

COY SISK, TULLAHOMA HEAD COACH

A MODEST PROPOSAL TO CHANGE WARREN COUNTY FOOTBALL

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By Brad Durham

Photo is from the Warren County Pioneer Football Facebook Page

Foreword: I listened to Simmons Says Podcast Facebook Fallout – Episode 37 (part 2) today while driving to schools. This was an exceptionally insightful and in-depth look at Warren County High School football. I have been thinking about a positive solution for Pioneer football, and the discussions in Jeff Simmons’ podcast provoked me to write down my thoughts. Both Jeff Simmons and Chris Sullens deserve praise for their contributions in this episode. Their ideas will make anyone think about potential positive changes for Warren County Football.

I encourage everyone who has any interest in Warren County Football to listen to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facebook-fallout-episode-37-part-2/id1647431281?i=1000670740389. The podcast is also on Spotify. Search Simmons Says Podcast.

My Modest Proposal…

The proposal is a plan to dramatically change the competitive nature of Warren County High School Football. Without building a new school, the school system would petition the TSSAA to divide the school into two (2) football teams, Warren East and Warren West. The division of the teams would change Warren County football from 6A (1,899 student enrollment) to two 4A teams (799 student enrollment).

Given the four decades of losing records in football, Warren County owes it to its students, parents and community to make a positive, systematic change to the football program. The TSSAA should not punish the Warren County High School Football program by continuing to enforce arbitrary classification rules that prevent consideration and changes to the quality of educational athletics.

Therefore, Warren County should petition the TSSAA to divide its football team into two 4A classifications for the next two years. Warren County agrees to not be playoff eligible in the first two years, which will not affect the existing teams in 4A Region 4 playoff eligibility. If one team becomes more competitive, it can request to be moved to the 5A classification. Until Warren County Football starts winning consistently, playing as one team in 6A should not be a consideration.

The existing teams in 4A Region 4 are:

Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)

DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)

Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)

Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)

Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)

Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)

White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

WARREN COUNTY PROPOSED ADMINISTRATION OF THE TWO TEAMS, WARREN EAST & WARREN WEST

The focus is to create competition between the two teams that will make each team more experienced and successful. Competition is the standard and competition will be the principle for coaching and playing the sport. There will be an emphasis on winning, not simply participating in the sport.

  1. A full-time Director of Football Operations will be hired. This person’s exclusively responsibility is to develop and support the two teams in an equitable fashion. This position will pay the Director $100,000 per year. It is a 12-month job. The Administrator will report directly to the high school principal and Director of Schools. The Director will develop a team of former coaches and players to support the coaches.
  2. Each head coach will be a full-time coaching position with no teaching responsibilities. Head coaches will be paid $80,000 for a 12-month job.
  3. Assistant coach supplements will be increased by $5,000 and coordinator positions will be increased by $10,000. 
  4. The teams will be created by geography and a draft. The default draft will be which elementary school the students attended. To balance the teams, a draft will also be held to make the talent at each position for each team somewhat equal/competitive. For example, the two best quarterbacks should not be on the same team.
  5. Student-athletes will sign an agreement to not transfer during the season. The only way a player can transfer after a season is if the Director of Football Operations and both head coaches sign the waiver.
  6. The teams will practice together during the week and use the same facilities. 
  7. More facilities will be created for locker rooms, coaches’ offices and meeting rooms.
  8. Teams will play five (5) games at home and five (5) away games. One team will play at home while the other team is on the road.
  9. Homecoming will be a home game between Warren East and Warren West.
  10. Homecoming will be a major fundraiser and form of competition. Freshmen and Seniors will support East. Sophomores and Juniors will support West. There will be competition and unity.
  11. Each team will raise money for their choice of homecoming queen. The queen who receives the most money will be crowned.
  12. Each grade will support their team the week of homecoming and sit in their own sections and cheer their team the week of the game. There will be a well-funded homecoming dance to reward each team.
  13. NIL deals will be pursued to support players on each team. Business, churches and communities will be asked to sponsor teams and schools.
  14. Players will be paid $50 each week of the season for playing in a game.
  15. Players will be paid an additional $100 for winning a game.
  16. Coaches who have a winning record will be given a free vehicle for one year.
  17. Teams who have a winning record get a free trip to Disneyworld during the Christmas break.
  18. Teams with a losing season get to do community service during the Christmas break.
  19. Both teams will enjoy a Christmas party together that will include less fortunate children in Warren County.
  20. Winning will be rewarded. Coaches will be held to standards of performance.
  21. There will be a weekly coaches’ show featuring both coaches.
  22. Home games will not be televised for free. Warren County will develop its own pay-to-stream game channel.
  23. A major sports psychologist such as Dr. Kevin Elko will be hired.

New developments will include a track at the high school and an extra practice field. One practice field will have lights. A grounds crew will be hired to take care of all the practice fields. A cleaning crew will be hired to wash practice and game gear. Coaches will not perform field maintenance or cleaning. Coaches will oversee players cleaning the locker room daily. The Director of Football Operations will supervise the field and cleaning crews.

The school system will do an analysis of the cost to implement this program and ask the county commissioners to fund the new programs. The City of McMinnville will also be asked to help fund the program since the City of McMinnville does not contribute any tax dollars to the Warren County School budget. 

A Warren County Football Council will be created to help with fundraising and support of football on all levels in Warren County. The focus will be to become competitive on all levels of football and to increase the value of educational athletics for football participants.