***Texarkana Job Open*** (filled - Barry Norton)

[AHS06]

Ledford is finally out in Texarkana.   Its been a long time coming and I still can't believe how he lasted this long without a winning season.   It's now time to make the right hire and keep the program back on track.

[zebrafan]

Ledford is finally out in Texarkana.   Its been a long time coming and I still can't believe how he lasted this long without a winning season.   It's now time to make the right hire and keep the program back on track.

Awesome! Hope you guys get a winner!

[zebradynasty]

Happy for you guys I think?

[esgibson00]

Is this job posted anywhere?

[OB11]

Is this job posted anywhere?

I cannot find it anywhere...including the district website.

[esgibson00]

Thanks I couldn't find it either.

I cannot find it anywhere...including the district website.

[zebradynasty]

Well IF they make the right hire 5A will get a lot more interesting!

[ViloniaEaglestoWMS]

I just turned in my application

My Arkansas High Hogs are gonna run the A-11

State titles and glory await

[protegewill]

It's about time!! It's sad the way ya'll suffered having all that talent and such mediocre coaching. Good Luck with the search though!! Maybe ya'll should give Brad Bolding a call...I'm sure he can turn things around!!

[Wildcat Football]

Yeah, I would give Brad Bolding a call for sure.  He comes from a good coaching family and a proven winner.

[BigFoot]

Big rumor around town is that Rick Barker from Fouke is leading candidate for the job!

[AHS06]

Big rumor around town is that Rick Barker from Fouke is leading candidate for the job!

We need to go out and get a proven offensive minded coach that will turn the program around.  We'll be in the mix for the title next year with the right hire.  It has already been echoed that money is not an issue.

Do you know where Barker was prior to Fouke? 

[BigFoot]

We need to go out and get a proven offensive minded coach that will turn the program around.  We'll be in the mix for the title next year with the right hire.  It has already been echoed that money is not an issue.

Do you know where Barker was prior to Fouke?

Barker was in New Boston before Fouke... Great coach who brings the best out of his kids and has a tendency for turning programs around!

[AHS06]

Ok, he was there during those really good New Boston teams.

I hope the community has a voice this time in selecting the head coach.  People around the city are not going to be so accepting of a head coach coming from Fouke to run the Razorback program.

[BigFoot]

Ok, he was there during those really good New Boston teams.

I hope the community has a voice this time in selecting the head coach.  People around the city are not going to be so accepting of a head coach coming from Fouke to run the Razorback program.

Regardless of where he has been the last 4 years, he has turned numerous programs around. I think it would be a great hire. Go to the Texas High school football websites and read up on the guy. He is a great coach! One could argue that AHigh would have one of the best head coaches in the conference if Barker was hired!

[AHS06]

Regardless of where he has been the last 4 years, he has turned numerous programs around. I think it would be a great hire. Go to the Texas High school football websites and read up on the guy. He is a great coach! One could argue that AHigh would have one of the best head coaches in the conference if Barker was hired!

What are the programs that he has turned around?  Why would he leave Texas football?  Fans and some supporters would argue, why are we bringing in someone from that dumpster football program in Fouke?  Arkansas High has become the laughing stock of Southwest Arkansas.  We are the largest school, rich tradition, and has not been a non-factor since 2010.  We should've paid Dawson in 2011 or grabbed him last year before he went to Russellville.  Baker could be the right hire!  But he has to be prepared for some heat from a bigger program.

[BigFoot]

Fouke, PG, success at New Boston to name a few. And there is this sweet situation that many coaches get in that allow them to retire in one state and go to another to gain double retirement. And that dumpster of a football program has been much improved since he showed up!

[Pat Swilling]

Rick Barker is a very solid football Coach.  Ask guys around Texarkana.  Very respected in coaches circles.  Will wait and see.   

[AHS06]

Fouke, PG, success at New Boston to name a few. And there is this sweet situation that many coaches get in that allow them to retire in one state and go to another to gain double retirement. And that dumpster of a football program has been much improved since he showed up!

My point exactly Fouke, PG, and New Boston are nowhere near the level of Arkansas High. 

[AHS06]

Rick Barker is a very solid football Coach.  Ask guys around Texarkana.  Very respected in coaches circles.  Will wait and see.

Yes, we'll wait and see.  He may very well be a solid coach and he should be if he's interested in the job at AHS.  I just don't see anything that screams success on a larger level. 

[Valleysports]

My point exactly Fouke, PG, and New Boston are nowhere near the level of Arkansas High.

Well here's your opportunity to get one of their coaches, maybe Arkansas High can get to their level.

[Wheres your Defense]

My point exactly Fouke, PG, and New Boston are nowhere near the level of Arkansas High.

Well I guess you need to go get Nick Saban if your program is that Great!!!  You need to realize that the talent level at AHS has not been like it was!!  Now since them Sophomores will be Juniors next year, your going be loaded!!  Don't down Fouke Football program unless you know the History, we had a coach name Jack Coleman but he left to go to Hooks and coached the most recruited college player ever, Billy Sims.  Rick Barker is the real Deal!!  He retired in Texas and come to Arkansas to get 5 years in and draw Texas Retirement!!  To me, it seems you won't be happy with anybody!!  Whats Swede Lee doing he might want to come back??

[Beardad]

Talent is not down at AHS.......not in the halls anyway

[STUNNA]

Id throw alot of money at Nashvilles coach or Arkadelphias!!!

[zebradynasty]

Texarkana has a great opportunity to get back where they should be one of the better programs in the state. So I don't blame them for being overly picky! Hire the right guy for the job and they can start to build the PROGRAM back.

[AHS06]

Well here's your opportunity to get one of their coaches, maybe Arkansas High can get to their level.

LOL Valley you never let me down.  Maybe he should go to Tyler Lee considering John Tyler is running the show.

[AHS06]

Well I guess you need to go get Nick Saban if your program is that Great!!!  You need to realize that the talent level at AHS has not been like it was!!  Now since them Sophomores will be Juniors next year, your going be loaded!!  Don't down Fouke Football program unless you know the History, we had a coach name Jack Coleman but he left to go to Hooks and coached the most recruited college player ever, Billy Sims.  Rick Barker is the real Deal!!  He retired in Texas and come to Arkansas to get 5 years in and draw Texas Retirement!!  To me, it seems you won't be happy with anybody!!  Whats Swede Lee doing he might want to come back??

We'll settle for Lane Kiffin!  You have actually lost any creditability claiming we do not have the talent.  Who cares if a coach LEFT FOUKE to go to a better program.  It's not like he coached Sims while at Fouke.  Barker could be the real deal, but Arkansas High can't sustain another "what if" hire.   

[AHS06]

Id throw alot of money at Nashvilles coach or Arkadelphias!!!

We should not have left Dawson get away.  He's only taken Russellville to the finals in his second year. 

You're right!  Maybe we could learn something from Nashville on how to properly evaluate the candidates. 

[Pat Swilling]

I'm sure T Town will have next guy in town by mid/late January.

[Wildcat Football]

What about Bo Hembree at Warren?

[STUNNA]

What about Bo Hembree at Warren?

Won't happen

[Valleysports]

What about Charlie Strong?

[AirWarren]

What about Bo Hembree at Warren?

As bad as you hate Watson chapel getting skull drug by bo, let it go. He ain't leaving for Texarkana and sure as crap ain't leaving for Sheridan.

I've said it before. I'll say it again. Married into a strong Warren family. Has young kids. Gets what he wants in Warren. Plays for titles. No way he leaves for these places.

[Made]

As bad as you hate Watson chapel getting skull drug by bo, let it go. He ain't leaving for Texarkana and sure as crap ain't leaving for Sheridan.

I've said it before. I'll say it again. Married into a strong Warren family. Has young kids. Gets what he wants in Warren. Plays for titles. No way he leaves for these places.

While I don't doubt any of this at all. I still think Texarkana could be intriguing. They will definitely have athletes comparable to Warren for the 6a Level. I agree that the situation in Warren would definitely be a hard one to leave, but in the coaching world you can never bank on your coach never leaving.

[Wonderdog]

Hembree staying at Warren is as close to sure as you can be given all of the factors. I agree though. You never know.

[Jimbo Morphis]

What are the programs that he has turned around?  Why would he leave Texas football?  Fans and some supporters would argue, why are we bringing in someone from that dumpster football program in Fouke?  Arkansas High has become the laughing stock of Southwest Arkansas.  We are the largest school, rich tradition, and has not been a non-factor since 2010.  We should've paid Dawson in 2011 or grabbed him last year before he went to Russellville.  Baker could be the right hire!  But he has to be prepared for some heat from a bigger program.

I don't know Coach Barker but have been impressed what he has done at Fouke. Many coaches change states to double up on retirement.

[AHS06]

I don't know Coach Barker but have been impressed what he has done at Fouke. Many coaches change states to double up on retirement.

Yeah, Fouke has won more games over the past 4 years than Arkansas High. 

[nsuqb10]

So isn't this an inside job only place it's listed is school website and it closes Wednesday lol

[Okieback]

out of stater

[UncleRico]

out of stater

I hope not... it does nothing for the coaching Carousel. This is my favorite part of off season. This job should start a chain reaction lol

[nsuqb10]

I see this as an inside job or someone in the area with it only being open for a week.

[reddiefoozball]

any updated info on it? is the current staff still there or any of them going with Ledford?

[Pat Swilling]

any updated info on it? is the current staff still there or any of them going with Ledford?

Im thinking this will be late Jan hire.

[nsuqb10]

If they have their guy why would they wait til January? Also where is Ledford going?

[Lions84]

Good Luck to who ever gets hired.  Ark High should be in the top 5 every year. Too much talent not to be contenders.

[Lumberjackfan1978]

Yes, we'll wait and see.  He may very well be a solid coach and he should be if he's interested in the job at AHS.  I just don't see anything that screams success on a larger level.

if the guy can coach it doesn't matter what level it is.I would be willing to bet their's three or four coaches in 4A that could turn AHS program around

[Pat Swilling]

App dedline: Dec 31
interviews: Mid Jan
hire date:  Probably late Jan at best depending on scheduled board meeting.  Maybe Feb.

[nsuqb10]

If they know who they are hiring sounds like the typical dog and pony show.

[Pat Swilling]

most schools typically want to keep jobs open till end of state champ games are over.   

[nsuqb10]

I gotcha