AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTop General exits by high road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An hour before kickoff, Robert Matthews stood at the 12-yard line, watching his Shiloh team go through pregame drills. With legs spread wide and arms folded across his chest, Matthews rocked from side to side.
If he was overly apprehensive about seeing another page turn in his life, Matthews didn’t let it show. He appeared to all the world like any other coach awaiting kickoff: nervous and eager all at the same time.
Which is probably how he feels about the next stage of his life.
Two coaches on opposite career tracks crossed paths Friday night. Each came away a winner. And, no, the game did not end in a tie.
South Gwinnett defeated Shiloh 30-13. It was the season finale for both, there being no slots in the upcoming playoffs to attain. But to football coaches, every outing offers some opportunity for gain.
Not the least of which is the respect of one’s peers.
Matthews performed his last act at the helm of the Generals’ sideline. The Comets’ John Small is in his first go-round as top in command.
Thus they met. One more for the record book.
Coaches’ résumés are just like anyone else’s, except for one key difference. When it comes to padding out achievements, you just can’t exaggerate your bottom line. Wins and losses are there for the entire world to see.
Small, I’m sure, had higher aims for himself and the Comets. Two seasons ago, South went 10-0 to claim the Region 8-AAAAA championship.
Last year, though, the Comets backslid to 5-5.
That would be the last stand for legendary coach T. McFerrin, who retired with 301 wins on his ledger. Which opened the way for Small, who had nary a one.
South made Small’s first season a break even one, at 5-5. Hardly a bummer considering the Comets suffered a slew of key injuries early on.
With this campaign under his belt, the bricks are firmly in place for Small to keep building on the foundation laid by McFerrin.
And why not?
The Comets are blessed with strong community support, fine facilities and a steady influx of quality athletes.
Any coach would covet such a juicy concoction.
Now for Matthews, time will quickly come for him to seek new employment. In summarizing the job he did at Shiloh, the head coach should begin by touting his selfless departure.
This week, Matthews’ wife, Laura, reported for new duty as women’s golf coach at Oklahoma State. Which meant Matthews, bowing to the wish of seeing his wife’s dream job fulfilled, put the cap on a job he’d long desired.
And that is the way one dutiful husband becomes a coach without a team to lead. Yes, a 10-21 record may raise some eyebrows. But upon closer inspection, it’s not as if Matthews’ stay was devoid of any merit. Highlighted, of course, by a 2003 playoff run in his rookie campaign.
Matthews has left Shiloh with plenty to offer the next guy, starting with good participation numbers and athletes who compete.
We wish you well, coach.
Thanks for taking the high road out of town.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: J.C. Clemons
Comments
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By Chuck Westbrook
October 29, 2005 05:16 PM | Link to this
J.C., thanks for recognizing that a superior coach is measured beyond his record on the field when young lives are involved. This coach loved the game, but more importantly, he cared deeply about each player. That will stay with them for life, and for that we are grateful. Good Luck, Coach Matthews and thanks!
By Errol Rogers
October 30, 2005 05:58 PM | Link to this
Is there a reason why the AJC places so much emphasis on Gwinnett County High School Football opposed to any other county? When will the state football tournamanet brackets be posted?
By whatever
October 31, 2005 07:05 AM | Link to this
Totally agree with Errol Rogers. When are the state playoff brackets going to be posted???? What about other metro counties with compelling stories? Not one story about how the 6AAAAA race ended up in a 3 way tie with 3 teams at 9-1 and ranked in the top 10 in your own poll? And your link to the Cinderalla teams is broken too.
By Dave
October 31, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
Why is there a lack on reporting on inter-city or southside games and coaches. I’ve been reading your print for the a few years now and I rarely see any reporting on the inter-city or southside schools as I do with the school up North. Why the bias?
Bigdog
By Scott Rogers
October 31, 2005 08:32 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Clemons for this article regarding a great coach few people know about. There will be those within and outside the Shiloh Family who may criticize this man, and his record at Shiloh. Those are the unfortunate few! If you want to know about Coach Robert Matthews, talk with his coaches, be present at one of his practices, have been fortunate enough to hear him speak to his players. Give the man a 3,000 student population with over 100 football players to build upon, like all 4 teams who made the 8-AAAAA playoffs, and the context of this article would surely be in a different prospective. The bottom line is Coach Robert Matthews is not only a great coach, but a great person. He is a man way among his 27 years of age. He instills strength, sense of worth, and the right way of doing things in life to his players. Coach Matthews has made a positive difference in the life of my son, and for that I will forever be grateful. Coach Robert Matthews will always be successful in life for he is a man of “Character”. I wish him and his wonderful wife Laura nothing but the best in their future endeavors in Oklahoma, for they deserve nothing less!
By a community parent
November 1, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this
Never before have I seen a coaching staff strive to be mediocre. I have seen players under Coach Matthews tenure have there dreams ruined and there issues rediculed. I truly hope that Coach Matthews has learned from the mistakes that were made at Shiloh and he will not be easily influenced by certain members of the booster club or the community as a whole at his next stop. Good luck Coach.
By Scott
November 1, 2005 09:26 AM | Link to this
I knew the unfortunate critics would come out. It is a shame that “The Truth” and “community parent” can not tell their real identity.
By Thomas Westbrook #52
November 1, 2005 02:56 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to thank Mr. Clemons for the wonderful article about my coach, Robert Matthews. I played my first varsity football game with him, and my last. I learned a LOT about football, but MORE importantly a lot about life. I know that a few people don’t like Coach Matthews or his coaching staff for one reason or another. As one of his players, I can say first hand that he is a great man and a great coach. I learned that when a man starts something he needs to finish it. That was our team saying,” Finish the drill.” I also learned that a person is accountable for his or her actions no matter what position you played, what color you are, how good you maybe, or who your parents are. Those are just two of the many life lessons that I, as well as everyone else, had a chance to learn. So again I want to thank Mr.Clemons for telling the truth when many seem to be misguided. To Coach Matthews: Remember, for a big group of us, you will always be our head coach. And I will gladly block for you any day. God Bless
By Troubled
November 1, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
Shiloh needs to hire a good coach that can get the students out on the field
By A Shiloh Parent
November 1, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this
Shiloh’s loss is Oklahoma’s gain. Robert and Laura Matthews are a class act. Maybe I’ll get my freshman daughter to pick up some golf clubs…
By Coach R.
November 1, 2005 05:54 PM | Link to this
Coach Matthews most definitely knows the game “Bit o Honey” and to “Troubled”, I to am troubled that so many great athletes walk the streets than sacrifice and work hard as those who play and are a part of Friday nights with Shiloh Football. That however is not he fault of the head coach, but a failure of the parents and the youth of today. It not only shines it’s ugly head in football, but in every other sport as well. It is also a failure of society today, for it is easier to complain, criticize, and abstain…than it is to stand tall, work hard, and achieve at whatever level that may be! Let us work to get those kids walking the streets to come out and achieve, and we will all be better for having done so!
By Cindy Reeves
November 2, 2005 10:41 AM | Link to this
I am a very proud Shiloh Mom who has been lucky enough to have enjoyed 12 years involvement with the Shiloh Football family. I have seen coaches come and go winning and losing seasons so I feel some what qualified to speak against the mediocre comment. For what I have found under the direct leadership of both Coach Matthews his devoted wife and coaching staff is a group of young teachers who spend hours on the clock and off working to mold responsible respectful young men by example. This mediocre group worked along side with the few families who actively particpated in concession stands, painting fields, hauling onions, knocking on doors for donations, cleaning uniforms, feeding the team and worked to build a weight room the boys could be proud of, are also the same people that while I was under going cancer treatments, provided meals for myself and my two boys everyday of the week for close to three months straight. I ask is that mediocracy? Fellowship, respect, responsiblity and charity is what this Coach and his staff strived to instill in our boys as well as their families, whether or not the kid got to play Friday nights. The Friday night game should not be the end all to High School athletic programs. True Fellowship “team spirit” regardless of the score board is and should be the end all. To Coach Matthews his wife, the coaching staff along with their wives and our athletic director thank you! My son and I are both better people for knowing you!! God Bless!
By Tipp Smooth
November 3, 2005 11:33 AM | Link to this
Cindy
I am Camden County die hard. I’ve read comments and then there are statements that stand out, and yours is a very good one. God Bless, I still think Camden will win it all in Class AAAAA.
Tipp Smooth, I bleed Camden Blue.
By Peg Westbrook
November 3, 2005 07:24 PM | Link to this
Dear Community Parent,
Coach Matthews is one coach who did not let booster parents run his program. Most of his starting varsity had parents that were not members of the booster program. 3 of the 6 officers had children who rarely stepped out onto the field on Friday nights, if ever. While there would be no football on Friday nights in Gwinnett County without the booster programs, I can not think of any coach who would sacrifice his team to make one or two parents happy.
Of course, many an active booster parent has been active throughout their young player’s life and statistics show that successful youth generally have had parents behind them every step of the way, be it checking on homework, going to PTA meetings, calling or emailing a teacher to check on academic progress or showing up on a cold rainy Friday night to watch their kid either play in the game or support is team on the sidelines.
And Dear Troubled…
Many of the numbers are down across the board in many activities and sports here at Shiloh. Many of the programs are trying to figure out how to raise their booster numbers. I fear many families moving into the community do not realize how important the financial support of booster organizations is to different organizations and sports. It is the school’s job to educate our kids. It is the parent’s job to provide the income to the booster programs that provide the avenue for our kids to participate or perform.