Everyone knows about Coach Kelley and that...

Go Postal · November 03, 2018, 12:16:00 am

He graduated from Henderson State in 1992 and began his coaching career at
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in Carrollton, Texas in 1993. In 1997, he
became the offensive coordinator at Pulaski Academy.
Since taking the head coaching position in 2003, Kelley has led the Bruins
to to the playoffs with a record of 48 wins and 8 losses but which has
resulted in seven state championship games as follows:
2003 in 3A
2008 in 5A
2011 in 4A
2014-17 in 5A
Very impressive.

But that is not what this thread is about.

Nor is it about how Harrison's Athletic Director and Head Soccer coach,
Chris Pratt, in 2002 took a new fledgling boys and girls soccer program and
led them to tie with 7A Bentonville at 1st place in the entire State of
Arkansas to have the most boys and girls State Championship in that sport.
Very impressive also. (In case you are wondering, Harrison has 12 State
Championship and 3 State runner-up trophies)

and like I said earlier, it's not about that either.

But now that I have the attention of you sport's fans, all great coaches and
their guidance for a school's sports programs had to start somewhere.

I heard over the years opposing team's radio announcers and other people ask,
"Who is Harrison's Head Football Coach and where did he come from"? Myself like
some of them knew that he came from Missouri but didn't know much more
than that. So I did a little digging to help myself, Goblin fans and other
people to know more about this coach that has helped turn this Harrison
Golden Goblin football program to the positive side of the football in the
four short years that he has been here.

Though I don't know where or when Joel Wells graduated college, I do know
that in a special meeting on Monday night, 11 May 2015, the Harrison School
Board elected Joel Wells as the next head Goblins football coach from a group
of 17 applicants. Harrison's Superintendent, Dr. Mendy Moss said, "He has a
proven record of work performance and experience as a head football coach
through his association with high school athletics, he has developed a tremendous work ethic and sense of determination to succeed."
Joel Wells came to Harrison after spending the last four seasons as the head
coach of the Kickapoo (Springfield, Missouri) Chiefs. He led the Chiefs to a
30-14 record including a quarterfinal berth in the Missouri playoffs in 2013.
The Chiefs finished the regular season with an undefeated record before
falling to Lee's Summit West.
With a reputation of turning programs around, Wells served at Nixa, Missouri,
from 2001-07. He won four Central Ozark conference titles and four district
titles. His teams made two quarterfinal appearances in the Missouri
playoffs.
The Eagles were 57-18 under his leadership.
Coach Wells left Nixa for Liberty (Missouri) High School who had only 10 wins
in the four previous seasons, he worked his magic and turned the Blue Jay
program around quickly and Liberty finished 18-13 and one playoff appearance
in the three seasons that he was there.
Since being head football coach in Harrison for the last four seasons, he has
done this record so far as of this date:
2015 4-6-0 (3-4-0)
2016 8-3-0 (5-2-0) /1st round playoffs
2017 8-4-0 (5-2-0) tied as West conference champs / quarterfinal playoffs
2018 10-0-0 (7-0-0) Undefeated West conference champs / playoff games pending
Very impressive indeed.

So when someone asks about who is this Coach Wells that turned this Harrison
Golden Goblin Football program around, you now know a little bit more to tell
them.

pantherblue · November 03, 2018, 12:41:45 am

Good stuff my friend.

athletic supporter · November 03, 2018, 07:47:47 am

Good read.

South 45 · November 03, 2018, 08:22:09 am

Winning is not an occurrence, it starts at the top and not by coincidence. Good read Posty...

ZoneBuster · November 04, 2018, 08:12:04 am

Not sure where he went to college, but he went to high school at Marshall I believe. So coming back to Arkansas after retiring in Missouri got him closer to his folks.

#5 · November 04, 2018, 02:14:26 pm

...so you used the post title: Kevin Kelley... to talk about the coac at harrison? Huh🙃!🏈

Grond · November 04, 2018, 03:13:52 pm

Quote from: #5 on November 04, 2018, 02:14:26 pm
...so you used the post title: Kevin Kelley... to talk about the coac at harrison? Huh🙃!🏈

I believe the term is "Bait & Switch"; good read, though.

Yellowcake · November 04, 2018, 08:36:02 pm

Brilliant.
And a nice read.

NEASPORTSFAN · November 05, 2018, 08:31:38 am

i would like to see Kelley prove he can win at a public school.

GhostofRosswoodCC · November 05, 2018, 09:37:15 am

Quote from: NEASPORTSFAN on November 05, 2018, 08:31:38 am
i would like to see Kelley prove he can win at a public school.

Bingo

Overdahill · November 05, 2018, 09:58:02 am

Be careful what you wish for.

Sasquatch71 · November 05, 2018, 10:38:12 am

Quote from: Overdahill on November 05, 2018, 09:58:02 am
Be careful what you wish for.

Why? We all know he won't go to a public school. Then you have to win with what you have not be handed those with an obvious advantage.

OB11 · November 05, 2018, 10:39:50 am

Quote from: Sasquatch71 on November 05, 2018, 10:38:12 am
Why? We all know he won't go to a public school. Then you have to win with what you have not be handed those with an obvious advantage.

No because in 5 years everyone would be whining about whichever public school he went to be moved up in classification because they are too good.

Sasquatch71 · November 05, 2018, 10:47:46 am

Quote from: OB11 on November 05, 2018, 10:39:50 am
No because in 5 years everyone would be whining about whichever public school he went to be moved up in classification because they are too good.

I think you are crazy if you truly think this. good yes but the machine that PA is? not happening

OB11 · November 05, 2018, 11:01:18 am

Quote from: Sasquatch71 on November 05, 2018, 10:47:46 am
I think you are crazy if you truly think this. good yes but the machine that PA is? not happening

I was being facetious. But I do believe that there are a few public schools that have the potential to become powerhouses with him at the helm.

Sasquatch71 · November 05, 2018, 11:14:14 am

Quote from: OB11 on November 05, 2018, 11:01:18 am
I was being facetious. But I do believe that there are a few public schools that have the potential to become powerhouses with him at the helm.

absolutely agree. there are some schools with the right man at the helm could be incredibly good.

we_hate_the_band · November 05, 2018, 11:29:29 am

KK has the advantage of having kids that take the SAT and AP/IB instead of getting 504s and IEPs.

NEASPORTSFAN · November 05, 2018, 11:54:48 am

Quote from: we_hate_the_band on November 05, 2018, 11:29:29 am
KK has the advantage of having kids that take the SAT and AP/IB instead of getting 504s and IEPs.

ding ding ding

OB11 · November 05, 2018, 12:32:08 pm

Quote from: we_hate_the_band on November 05, 2018, 11:29:29 am
KK has the advantage of having kids that take the SAT and AP/IB instead of getting 504s and IEPs.

No doubt about it. But I think if he was somewhere like Cabot he would win a state title within 5 years. Has PA ever had the best pure athlete(s) in the state? I don't think so. He would not have many athletes at Cabot that were head and shoulders above anyone else's. But with his system, he could win at a place like that.

Bruin Backer · November 05, 2018, 12:40:27 pm

Quote from: OB11 on November 05, 2018, 12:32:08 pm
No doubt about it. But I think if he was somewhere like Cabot he would win a state title within 5 years. Has PA ever had the best pure athlete(s) in the state? I don't think so. He would not have many athletes at Cabot that were head and shoulders above anyone else's. But with his system, he could win at a place like that.

Someone asked the Cabot quarterback if he could pass a football. He thought about it for a few minutes and then replied, "i'm not sure I could even swallow it". It might take KK five years to teach the Cabot offense what a pass was.

HeberFan · November 05, 2018, 12:53:35 pm

Even more consistent than PA winning, are posters saying "PA should move up in class" or "Kelley couldn't win in a public school."

Doesn't anyone tire of listening to themselves complain? Wouldn't it be nice for people to support their own school, instead of, tear down another?

Go Postal · November 05, 2018, 12:55:15 pm

Quote from: OB11 on November 05, 2018, 12:32:08 pm
No doubt about it. But I think if he was somewhere like Cabot he would win a state title within 5 years. Has PA ever had the best pure athlete(s) in the state? I don't think so. He would not have many athletes at Cabot that were head and shoulders above anyone else's. But with his system, he could win at a place like that.

This is what I was talking about a great coach bringing a schools program up to a higher level, no matter if it is a private or public school. I mentioned in the open statement about Coach Pratt also. I believe that he went to and played for a private school and college before starting his coaching career. He could have coached a private high school if he wanted to but came to a public school and made their program as one of the top ones in the State. That's not just boys but also girls too. If you are wondering who has the next most trophies in that sport. It's PA with LRCA not far behind. So it doesn't really matter if a school is private or public. It's the coach and how the good the kids are that work with him.
That's what I think Coach Wells is accomplishing in Harrison's football program.