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DEL.ICIO.USWhat can a coach do to prevent his star from transferring?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is it is possible for the little guys, the Berkmars and Central Gwinnetts of the world, to catch up to the big guys, if their star players continue to decide that the grass is greener at the Peachtree Ridges and Wheelers?
“What can I do,” asks Berkmar football coach Wendell Early, who saw his best player, junior defensive end Kevin Minter, transfer to Peachtree Ridge this summer.
Central Gwinnett basketball coach David Allen knows the feeling. His superstar Richard Howell transferred to Wheeler this month. Howell’s father cited the need for his son to play on a national schedule—something Wheeler is already doing—in order to increase his exposure.
Howell is considered to be one of the top 30 junior prospects in the nation and already has offers from some of the top programs in the nation. Does he really need any more exposure to pick up that 50th offer?
Besides, Allen was already in the process of putting Central on a national stage. The Knights were scheduled to participate in this year’s Great Florida Shootout, a national tournament featuring many of the top high school programs from across the country.
“We had to bail out, after Richard left,” Allen said. “I’m sitting without a Christmas tournament as of now.”
So the next time a Kevin Minter or Richard Howell walks through the door at a Berkmar or Central Gwinnett, what can the coach do to insure they stay around?
Upgrade facilities? Increase the program’s exposure by playing a national schedule? Install a player-friendly offense?
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it,” admitted Allen, “but you can’t treat a player different than the rest. Something has to be done, though, if we’re going to preserve parity in high school sports.”
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By clubhouse
June 27, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
I don’t believe there is anything that you can do. Players, parents and coaches are recruiting all summer long in football and basketball. I know from experience it can be anywhere from a suttle hint to an all out recruiting effort. Players and parents want to play for winning teams and coaches where they are going to get exposure and they aren’t willing to wait.
By Will
June 27, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Would we be less of a parent if we didn’t want the best situation for our kids? As long as the transfers are legit there is nothing that can be done. Talk about bogging down the GHSA, just think if every transfer had to be investigated. They only investigate reported illegal transfers. Parents and kids will continue to gravitate to those programs that consistanly produce wins,championships, and scholarships. Coach Allen is right, you have to treat each kid fairly and equally. Today coaches have to teach and instill loyalty in highschool athletes.
By Lee
June 27, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
“So the next time a [superstar] walks through the door at a Berkmar or Central Gwinnett, what can the coach do to insure they stay around?”
Answer: Not a damn thing. Treat them the same as the third stringer riding the bench.
Actually, I’ve seen a couple of these legends in their own minds. A lot of times, they cause more distraction than they are worth. Personally, I’d rather have the average player who is out there everyday giving it everything he’s got, than some spoiled superbrat who thinks his crap don’t stink.
By BHS Cheer
June 28, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
Before people start talking about how Kevin left us there’s one thing they better keep in mind. It wasn’t his choice. He didn’t want to go. There are circumstances outside of Peachtree Ridge being CO-champions as to why he transfered out. As for that kid from Central, one guy doesn’t make a team. There will be plenty of other players that come along. It IS Gwinnett County after all.
I think that’s the way most coaches see it.
By red
June 29, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Please let that joker go. Don’t worry about one playe. You got plenty players at your school. Why drop ou tournament f you are a real coach, I will still play. it’s not fair to the real team. There’s nothing you can do but push thoe kids ot. You will have less of a headache beacause parents are living through their kids now. Trying to make them famous. If that kid from central is getting offers then it’s something illegal going on with Wheeler. That kid will probably live with a eammate or coach. That’s why the wheeler’s, dunwoody’s, columbia, and norcross coches are not grat coach. They want leave and go to a real school with average athletes. They are th phil jackson of coaches. Great players don’t make great coaches. A real coach will coach the kids at his school. GHSA don’t care. They just want these programs to win it’s the buddy system. The ood ol boy system.
By Keith
June 30, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
Kevin Minter is one of the best football players I have ever seen, but more importantly he is a very humble young man and always has been. My son played football with Kevin @ Lilburn Park it was always apparent that Kevin was by far the best athlete on the team but that never went to his head. This real issue here is personal choice, Kevin has the right to make that choice. Kevin doesnt have the type of family that would make a decision like this based purely on the won loss record of a football team. I wish Kevin all the best, we plan on attending several Peachtree Ridge football games this year at my sons request, GOOD LUCK KEVIN
By roland
July 8, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Can anyone say double standard? Where were your questions Mr. Purdum when Caleb King transferred out of the Dekalb County school system to play for Parkview? Not surprisingly you did have many questions when karma had Mr. King transfer out to GAC. My thing is this, don’t simply bust the Wheelers and Peachtree Ridges, bust everyone for transfers because unless you just moved to Atlanta this year Mr. Purdum, every school has either a child transfer out and transfer in.
Don’t try to pretend that you care about the little guys. As I recall, you were one of the main ones crying when Caleb King transfered out of Parkview. Is Parkview a little guy?
By Fit To Be Tied
July 10, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Cheers to all those who pratice hard, play hard and get hammered by superior athletes. They beat their peers.
Go Patriots. Keep up the good work.