Ashcraft gives it up to become the new Conway AD
Two 7A jobs so far. Any guys in lower enrollment schools with ties to Conway? Or even upper enrollment?
Quote from: Almatrackster on March 14, 2018, 08:54:07 pm
Two 7A jobs so far. Any guys in lower enrollment schools with ties to Conway? Or even upper enrollment?
Does Coach McNabb?
Mark Kelly?
What could Patton do with Conway talent?
Quote from: IAFLAR7 on March 16, 2018, 12:19:44 pm
What could Patton do with Conway talent?
Probably the same thing he is going to do with LR Central talent.
I think the interest here will be huge. Even more than LRC job.
Ashcraft has made a ton of contacts in the profession and my guess is he hires someone he knows pretty darn well.
Why does it seem that Conway cannot get over the hump. Average about 7 wins a year under Ashcraft and not nearly that before him. Is the talent just not there any longer?
Seems like Conway always runs into Fayetteville in the playoffs and never beats them. They had a good year this past year, I thought. Just ran into the NLR juggernaut.
Anyone who thinks Conway will ever be able to replace the top dogs in 7A football don't know their history. Ashcraft did a great job and probably maxed out their potential. I think most Conway folks would realize this. Get a guy who understands that instant gratification isn't likely, hard work is demanded, and maybe one every 15-20 years they can win a state title
Quote from: 4real on March 17, 2018, 12:46:13 pm
Anyone who thinks Conway will ever be able to replace the top dogs in 7A football don't know their history. Ashcraft did a great job and probably maxed out their potential. I think most Conway folks would realize this. Get a guy who understands that instant gratification isn't likely, hard work is demanded, and maybe one every 15-20 years they can win a state title
When is their last state football championship? 60's?
I want to say Buzz won one in the 80's... but that could be way off
Quote from: 4real on March 17, 2018, 01:02:53 pm
I want to say Buzz won one in the 80's... but that could be way off
Looked it up. It's the 60's, 67, 64 I believe.
Quote from: 4real on March 17, 2018, 12:46:13 pm
Anyone who thinks Conway will ever be able to replace the top dogs in 7A football don't know their history. Ashcraft did a great job and probably maxed out their potential. I think most Conway folks would realize this. Get a guy who understands that instant gratification isn't likely, hard work is demanded, and maybe one every 15-20 years they can win a state title
I thought Ashcraft did a good job, too. They could maybe take the next step, but it is going to be tough.
Quote from: RZback on March 17, 2018, 01:43:48 pm
Looked it up. It's the 60's, 67, 64 I believe.
wow. That's way back there. Makes me ponder a new question...
What 7A program has had the longest dry spell w/o a state title?
Bryant, for one, has never won a championship in 7A football. 7A and 6A came into existence around 2006. Before that the largest classification was 5A.
Plus there are 7A schools that came about due to splits. They've only been in 7A.
Heritage and Bentonville West.
Har-Ber is same deal but they have a title.
Well, I meant schools that are in 7A or the old 5A, and in some cases old old 4A
Van Buren's last was in 1996, when 4A was the largest. Only 2 or 3 winning seasons since. That's 22 years, but I couldn't tell you if that drought is any more than other schools off the top of my head.
I think the last time Rogers won state was in the 60s or 70s.
So does this mean that Heritage and B-West are the only two without one?
Very curious about the future of Conway Wampus Cats Football. Just moved to Conway not too long ago and it looks like they will have to divide the High School if Conway keeps growing. Untill then, I am sure Conway will have more numbers to pick from in football.
As a long time resident of Conway I can tell you more numbers does not equate to more athletes. Conway has lots of students but not large number of athletes. The new school was built to accommodate the growth we are seeing in Conway. However, to split will be extremely costly and will never make anyone happy when they have to come up with a way to split the city. I don't see the money being there to build not only another high school but all the extracurricular facilities that will be needed. Coach Ashcraft did bring a new attitude to the program and had really good discipline so the next new coach will have to add to that style as well as find a way to be successful with the players available.
Quote from: 4real on March 17, 2018, 12:46:13 pm
Anyone who thinks Conway will ever be able to replace the top dogs in 7A football don't know their history. Ashcraft did a great job and probably maxed out their potential. I think most Conway folks would realize this. Get a guy who understands that instant gratification isn't likely, hard work is demanded, and maybe one every 15-20 years they can win a state title
Well this is the dumbest thing I have read today.
This sure has been quiet for a big job, is it a done deal?
Quote from: nsuqb10 on March 26, 2018, 01:04:31 pm
This sure has been quiet for a big job, is it a done deal?
Bigger than Central?
I know central
Is open but is it posted anywhere
Hearing some big names for Conway
Obviously there is a old school family connection being rumored.
Yes along with some other big names
Quote from: B.G. on March 28, 2018, 04:09:22 pm
Obviously there is a old school family connection being rumored.
So Brad Bolding? Not sure why folks are scared to mention names.
It's always, "some big names" are applying. LOL
Heard
Patton
Dawson
McNabb
Current OC
I'm saying McNabb
Quote from: SUGARTOWN on March 29, 2018, 09:53:10 am
So Brad Bolding? Not sure why folks are scared to mention names.
It's always, "some big names" are applying. LOL
isnt Bolding rumored to be going to Central
Quote from: SUGARTOWN on March 29, 2018, 09:53:10 am
So Brad Bolding? Not sure why folks are scared to mention names.
It's always, "some big names" are applying. LOL
I was thinking Bobby?
Quote from: Cabotfan on March 29, 2018, 12:27:20 pm
I was thinking Bobby?
I doubt Central would go after Brad. 4-6 at Parkview.
Quote from: nsuqb10 on March 29, 2018, 10:05:28 am
Heard
Patton
Dawson
McNabb
Current OC
Not anything against Conway, but why would Dawson want this job? He has the best job in the state as far as high school football.
Quote from: Cabotfan on March 29, 2018, 12:27:20 pm
I was thinking Bobby?
Yeah, I could see that. He's done great at Pine Bluff.
Quote from: Mulerider4Life on March 29, 2018, 12:28:34 pm
I doubt Central would go after Brad. 4-6 at Parkview.
Maybe if you only look at the bottom line, but in year one, his team, which hasn't exactly achieved a lot here lately, had PA and McClellan on the ropes. He was in probably the best 5A conference top to bottom.
Coach of the year type stuff in my opinion, but missing the playoffs was a bit much for him to receive that.
Quote from: WorkOrder on March 29, 2018, 12:38:35 pm
Not anything against Conway, but why would Dawson want this job? He has the best job in the state as far as high school football.
He doesn't. He's got a great gig at FV and a good team returning.
Quote from: Rob Van Winkle on March 29, 2018, 03:14:55 pm
He doesn't. He's got a great gig at FV and a good team returning.
Of course, Dawson has moved away from multiple "good" jobs before. I think that anyone that hires him is taking a risk on his job hopping tendencies.
If he were to be interested in the Conway (a good job, but no way near to the Fayetteville job) I would have to question whether anyone could hire him and expect or trust for him to be any kind of long term answer for your program.
There's got to be some Gypsy blood back in the Dawson family tree....
Quote from: Almatrackster on March 29, 2018, 03:02:52 pm
Maybe if you only look at the bottom line, but in year one, his team, which hasn't exactly achieved a lot here lately, had PA and McClellan on the ropes. He was in probably the best 5A conference top to bottom.
Coach of the year type stuff in my opinion, but missing the playoffs was a bit much for him to receive that.
^^ True
Dawson is not leaving FHS for CHS.
Quote from: Almatrackster on March 29, 2018, 03:02:52 pm
Maybe if you only look at the bottom line, but in year one, his team, which hasn't exactly achieved a lot here lately, had PA and McClellan on the ropes. He was in probably the best 5A conference top to bottom.
Coach of the year type stuff in my opinion, but missing the playoffs was a bit much for him to receive that.
Siphoning NLR players might be more noticeable at Central than Parkview. Good Luck doing that at Conway. They improved thanks to 4-6 transfers. If that's your standard for Coach of the Year you probably still hoop on a little tikes goal.
Conway still best job open
Quote from: Kraig Crist on March 30, 2018, 12:21:38 am
Siphoning NLR players might be more noticeable at Central than Parkview. Good Luck doing that at Conway. They improved thanks to 4-6 transfers. If that's your standard for Coach of the Year you probably still hoop on a little tikes goal.
??? NLR couldn't have lost too much talent based on the year they had
Quote from: Kraig Crist on March 30, 2018, 12:21:38 am
Siphoning NLR players might be more noticeable at Central than Parkview. Good Luck doing that at Conway. They improved thanks to 4-6 transfers. If that's your standard for Coach of the Year you probably still hoop on a little tikes goal.
That is RICH! You actually have a beef with anyone recruiting NLR players? Gimme a break, nobody can hold a candle to NLR magically plugging in the just the right players, in football & basketball.
Heard Conway made calls, who's in the running officially
Im sure a nice size salary will be in order for the new coach.
Quote from: WC-soccer dad on March 20, 2018, 03:24:15 pm
As a long time resident of Conway I can tell you more numbers does not equate to more athletes. Conway has lots of students but not large number of athletes. The new school was built to accommodate the growth we are seeing in Conway. However, to split will be extremely costly and will never make anyone happy when they have to come up with a way to split the city. I don't see the money being there to build not only another high school but all the extracurricular facilities that will be needed. Coach Ashcraft did bring a new attitude to the program and had really good discipline so the next new coach will have to add to that style as well as find a way to be successful with the players available.
From what I understand, the class that is graduating in a couple of months is one of the most athletic classes Conway has had in a while. I think they have more kids going to play a sport in college than they've had before. But, that hasn't translated into success on the football field.
One of the main problems (I've heard this from many different people over the years) is the middle school and junior high programs. They might only play 15 kids the entire game at those levels. So, most of the kids quit before they get to high school because they never get to play. And, the high school team doesn't have very many players moving up that have any experience. Instead of getting a lot of kids experience, they have some that never leave the field...they are on offense, defense, kickoffs, trys, punt, kick returns, etc. Not that this would completely solve the issue of Conway not getting over the hump, but it could make a difference if they had a lot more kids with some experience moving up. Plus, the middle school and junior high programs should be there to help build the high school programs. That's not the way they are treated in Conway.
Quote from: arreferee on April 02, 2018, 01:39:26 pm
From what I understand, the class that is graduating in a couple of months is one of the most athletic classes Conway has had in a while. I think they have more kids going to play a sport in college than they've had before. But, that hasn't translated into success on the football field.
One of the main problems (I've heard this from many different people over the years) is the middle school and junior high programs. They might only play 15 kids the entire game at those levels. So, most of the kids quit before they get to high school because they never get to play. And, the high school team doesn't have very many players moving up that have any experience. Instead of getting a lot of kids experience, they have some that never leave the field...they are on offense, defense, kickoffs, trys, punt, kick returns, etc. Not that this would completely solve the issue of Conway not getting over the hump, but it could make a difference if they had a lot more kids with some experience moving up. Plus, the middle school and junior high programs should be there to help build the high school programs. That's not the way they are treated in Conway.
Sounds like new coaching is needed at the Middle and Junior high levels. I hate that for the kids.
Quote from: Mulerider4Life on April 03, 2018, 10:56:13 am
Sounds like new coaching is needed at the Middle and Junior high levels. I hate that for the kids.
With a new AD, Ashcraft, the Jr Highs will be falling in line with the new HC.
Quote from: ricepig on April 03, 2018, 11:16:59 am
With a new AD, Ashcraft, the Jr Highs will be falling in line with the new HC.
Hopefully you are correct, but it did not change when Ashcraft got there...even though he was told that was an issue with the program (I was told this...I didn't hear it first hand).
Quote from: arreferee on April 03, 2018, 03:28:29 pm
Hopefully you are correct, but it did not change when Ashcraft got there...even though he was told that was an issue with the program (I was told this...I didn't hear it first hand).
Well, as AD, you would figure that Ashcraft will do everything possible to insure success at the high school. I guess it's possible the Jr high coaches continue doing as they please, but keeping the new AD on your side will help you out in the long run.
Quote from: ricepig on April 03, 2018, 04:15:39 pm
Well, as AD, you would figure that Ashcraft will do everything possible to insure success at the high school. I guess it's possible the Jr high coaches continue doing as they please, but keeping the new AD on your side will help you out in the long run.
I understand that it is the AD's job to ensure all the athletic programs are as successful as possible. But wouldn't it be more on the head high school football coach to get the jr. high's on track?
Quote from: OB11 on April 04, 2018, 08:43:41 am
I understand that it is the AD's job to ensure all the athletic programs are as successful as possible. But wouldn't it be more on the head high school football coach to get the jr. high's on track?
Yes, but if the Jr high coaches don't wish to follow along, then it would be up to the AD to make it "right". Several years ago, my son was in Jr high, the high school had been running the wishbone, the Sr coach decided to go to the spread, so they practiced all spring and the first half of the summer learning it. The SR high coach changed his mind and decided to go back to the wishbone, so, the two Jr highs went back to the wishbone. Now, our Jr high coach, and our talent fit the spread, didn't matter. Needless to say, after another losing season we got a new Sr high coach, and they've run the same offense for 9 years+.
If that's the case then yes it absolutely is up to the AD to step in. You would really hope your jr high's would want to be on the same page though. The entire point of the jr high program is to feed the high school. Hope they get it worked out.
So how many are they interviewing now that bolding didn't get central?
Never seen many schools that junior high doesn't follow the lead of the HC.
Quote from: francocat on March 31, 2018, 11:22:32 am
That is RICH! You actually have a beef with anyone recruiting NLR players? Gimme a break, nobody can hold a candle to NLR magically plugging in the just the right players, in football & basketball.
Bolding took 1 or 2 starters from the 2016-17 team and then 1 or 2 who were not starters.
As far as transfers into NLR...I believe the only one we got was O. Adaway..who came back Central...his little brother was already in NLR...I think he had been at Central and just came back to his assigned school. Other than that the NLR starters had all been there. I do believe Bolding recruited when he was at NLR. It is just to easy to change schools between NLRSD, LRSD, and PCSSD.
NLR freaks running all over
On a side note is Conway brining in 4 or 5
Min money will be on the oc with McNabb and bolding withdrawing
Still hearing billy Dawson 🤷🏼♂️
Nope.
Quote from: nsuqb10 on April 06, 2018, 12:30:12 pm
Still hearing billy Dawson 🤷🏼♂️
I wouldn't hire him if he applied anyway. Ideally you want someone who will be there more than 2-3 years.
Ive heard Houston Nutt is in the running.
Dawson or the current OC you heard it here first
This is a great job for someone who wants to be a 7A athletic director down the road...
Not for winning rings.
Any new news about this job?
Yep it's quiet lol
Did the OC get it?
Eldridge from Arky
Makes sense why no one heard anything with those other names being thrown around, he will do a good job for hem I'm sure just won a title
Done deal!!! Just not official yet.
Who is Eldridge?
Quote from: AirWarren on April 10, 2018, 01:22:20 pm
Arkadelphia.
Wow, thats a great hire! Arkadephia is in some trouble with their fall football schedule.
Crazy to leave Arky with what he had coming back.
He's got a couple good players back, but if I recall they're losing pretty much everyone up front on both sides of the ball
Quote from: Mr. Mercer on April 10, 2018, 08:46:44 pm
He's got a couple good players back, but if I recall they're losing pretty much everyone up front on both sides of the ball
You're correct on the offensive side, but defensive (in fact majority of the defense) line returns almost all. I think 3 of 4 starters return on DL, 2 were sophomores this past season.
Poster on the 4A boards say he is backing out of the Conway job... Did he ever really verbally accept the job?
JR backed out/turned it down....heard some details but nothing definitive...
Wow now I'm sure The oc cant call guys back you said no to
I would think Conway would be a dream job compared to Bryant/Benton or any Little Rock job. Great place to live. Good facilities. Future growth potential.
So who gets it now any of those big names still in the running or does the OC get his shot
What is the problem in Conway and LRC that the candidates decided not to accept the job when offered. Some second choices are going to get a nice job. Anybody know if the jobs have been extended to another applicant yet?
So with the debacle of the jobs being turned down does hat make VB the best job open lol
Heard a hire tonight at board meeting anybody got a name
TTT
Any word?
Tommy Tuberville
At this point you would think so lol
Quote from: Mulerider4Life on April 12, 2018, 07:37:45 am
I would think Conway would be a dream job compared to Bryant/Benton or any Little Rock job. Great place to live. Good facilities. Future growth potential.
Compared to Benton/Bryant??
So they interview/offer/turned down and then what just stop he process there had to be a #2
Didn't someone say they were interviewing again? Does seem odd.
How many were originally interviewed
Whoever the new HC he deserves to have control of the entire program. I don't think they have to run exactly the same systems but the structure of the system must be the same, nomenclature has to be the same and how it is organized. If the system is multimple then that would be ok I would think and if the defense is the same, even front, odd front. You cannot have kids doing things that are totally different and dont' understand now things are called.
No disrespect, Iknewthemwhen, but it is amazing what young men, who are committed, can accomplish. I know of one applicant who took a large out of state program, put in a whole new system, and led them to their first conference championship in 40 years. One thing I can tell you about young people is that they know if YOU know what you're teaching them. It won't matter what system the new coach installs as long as he knows what he's talking about. I hope Conway makes their decision based on the proven talents of a coach and not on what is safe...
Any new update?
Big job with no news?
As the world turns
Sources tell me that Ashcraft will be AD and Head Varsity football next year. WOW :o
Quote from: Mulerider4Life on April 16, 2018, 10:03:13 am
Any new update?
Quote from: Touchdown God on April 17, 2018, 05:30:27 pm
Sources tell me that Ashcraft will be AD and Head Varsity football next year. WOW :o
If true, makes me think they know who they want but he can't come until next season.
Quote from: B.G. on April 17, 2018, 09:34:09 pm
If true, makes me think they know who they want but he can't come until next season.
I still don't think Ashcraft was a bad coach. All of the games during the regular season were winnable.
But why open it and interview including the offen coordinator then decide they weren't good enough? Bad business
Quote from: nsuqb10 on April 18, 2018, 08:05:07 am
But why open it and interview including the offen coordinator then decide they weren’t good enough? Bad business
Pretty sure they have to interview people in the district.
Disrespect? Why would I think that? Doesn't look like you challenged anything I said! I think a coach should run what he knows and what he can teach to the kids, all of the kids all across the program. If he allows some latitude with his junior high to add or tweek the system a little that's fine. What I was saying is he needs control and the last word in what is done.
I was referring to your suggestion that the new coach should use the "same" nomenclature and system that the previous staff had used. I believe this thinking is wrong if the right coach were hired. The coach that I know who applied for the Conway job, from a large school in another state, had gone into a situation that if I were to describe it, most would say it was impossible put in his system. These were kids from a 'culture' that would not be expected to be successful running a system like this, but this coach and his staff put it in over a late spring arrival and a summer and shocked the football people in that area. The oldest and most successful coach in the area said that for years that had used that week to heal and rest and never put on pads to prepare for that game, but he did in the first year of this coach's system or he would have got beat. My point is that if the right coach were chosen at Conway, he could go in there using the same well trained players, change the system and still be very successful. It may be what is needed there to take the next step to a state championship
You read too much into what I posted. I did not say the new coach should run what the old coach ran. He should have total control and the entire program should do the same thing with any differences being minor tweeks to accomodate talent level and those tweeks should be at the approval of HC. The new HC gets to call the shots and everybody should use the same terminology throughtout the program. Hope that clears it up.
I apologize, Iknewthemwhen, after re-reading your post I understand what you were talking about and agree with you that it is important for a HC to run his system thru all grades under his control. Except, of course, for things younger kids might not have the skills or time to learn to run...again, I apologize
Iknewthemwhen, you can't expect me to understand your well thought out ideas when it takes me 5 tries to get the camouflaged letters typed in correctly... ;)
Any idea what's going on here and why its taking so long to make a hire?
Ashcraft staying on as AD/HFC.
I repeat my thought that Ashcraft staying seems to imply whomever they want is a year away from being able to come to Conway.
Just my theory.
just late in spring to hire for a job as big as this one. I completely understand this thinking
Which would jive a bit with my theory.
Quote from: B.G. on April 21, 2018, 09:22:06 am
I repeat my thought that Ashcraft staying seems to imply whomever they want is a year away from being able to come to Conway.
Just my theory.
Any reasons why they couldn't come now in this theory? There usually isn't any hold up in high school jobs, outside of signing the contract and school XYZ wouldn't let you out. And really, those don't hold a lot of water these days.
Let's be honest if they interviewed and this was the end case he never really wanted to give it up to begin with
One possible, the coach has a kid that is a senior and wants to let him finished where he's at.
Another, family health or other issue like spouse's job.
Again, just a theory.
Quote from: B.G. on April 22, 2018, 07:55:34 am
One possible, the coach has a kid that is a senior and wants to let him finished where he's at.
Another, family health or other issue like spouse's job.
Again, just a theory.
Ok, you usually don't throw out "theories", just seeing there was more to it.
Quote from: ricepig on April 22, 2018, 10:16:50 am
Ok, you usually don't throw out "theories", just seeing there was more to it.
Well.
word has a new HC will be named today...
Really?
Another one, number 3?
NM
Again, I'm not sure what is so hard about finding a good candidate for this job. Conway is exploding. Better place to live than Benton/Bryant/Jacksonville/Cabot. The program will improve over time with a better selection of athletes to choose from.
This hire will probably shock a ton of people today that don't know the new head coach.
Quote from: jacketracket on April 23, 2018, 12:40:03 pm
This hire will probably shock a ton of people today that don't know the new head coach.
People might be underwhelmed initially, but this guy has been an outstanding assistant/coordinator at some very good programs. He is a no BS kind of guy that his kids play hard for. I think that he will do fine.
Will this new coach be able to bring in any assistants?
Quote from: Mulerider4Life on April 23, 2018, 12:22:24 pm
Again, I'm not sure what is so hard about finding a good candidate for this job. Conway is exploding. Better place to live than Benton/Bryant/Cabot. The program will improve over time with a better selection of athletes to choose from.
Place gets a Sam's and On the Border and they think they are high roller status.
Quote from: we_hate_the_band on April 23, 2018, 01:35:07 pm
Place gets a Sam's and On the Border and they think they are high roller status.
I think its a better infrastructure overall.
Quote from: Mulerider4Life on April 23, 2018, 02:36:59 pm
I think its a better infrastructure overall.
I'm not getting into a roundabout debate with a circular logic man like yourself.
So fluid. :)
Why would a coach not be able to come to a job he wants?
Quote from: we_hate_the_band on April 23, 2018, 01:35:07 pm
Place gets a Sam's and On the Border and they think they are high roller status.
Lol.
Benton/Bryant/Cabot/Conway. Central Arkansas. All the same to me.
So who did they hire, thought it was Ashcraft
Keith Fimple. Said the determining factor was the restaurants & shopping that Conway offers.
is that who was hired? where's he been
Keith Fimple was at Southside for years and just recently at Har-Ber.
He officially has the job.
(that's not a theory)
Keith Fimple is a great dude! He treats kids with a great deal of respect, knows how to motivate kids, and will be a great hire for Conway! Congratulations Coach Fimple!
Someone finally convinced him to be their head coach! One of the most respected coaches in Arkansas, and definitely the most respected assistant coach. Congratulations to Coach Fimple and to Conway.
Anyone know anything about the offense he will run? Defense?
Very Good hire by Conway. Excellent reputation.
Good that they got a guy, good luck to the new man.