AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMays coach should return - pronto
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Floyd Mack. Terry Davis. Darrell Caldwell. Rodney Hackney. Jesse Solomon.
Mays has had a long line of head football coaches in a short time — since 2001. And now, the aforementioned Jesse William Solomon is wondering if the players of whom he is so fond, the players for whom he has gone the extra mile and then some, will have yet another football coach.
That depends on Atlanta Public Schools. It has a hearing scheduled in which it will decide whether Solomon should be let go, or — more correctly, it says here — allowed to resume his duties.
APS is concerned that Solomon might’ve been less than forthcoming about his past when it hired him. It learned that the state of Florida was trying to contact the coach about a pair of incidents in which he disciplined a student in Palm Beach in 2003.
The Palm Beach board had investigated and found Solomon had done nothing wrong in either case. Solomon thought that was the end of that, but concern about whether he would continue to enjoy the support of his administration led him to resign. He spent two years as a Cairo assistant. Then he began building at Mays.
He left Florida with a valid certificate and, to his knowledge, no pending cases against him. A year into his work at the southwest Atlanta school, he learned different.
Don’t cast APS as the heavy for trying to make sure things are kosher. But it seems to be asking: Why didn’t you tell us when we hired you that which you first learned from us a year later?
In less than two years, Solomon, who turns 44 next month, has done a stellar job — and not just because he’s produced the winningest program among the Atlanta public schools over that span. He’s raised more than $50,000, including $5,000 in an NFL celebrity golf tournament, using contacts from his pro football-playing days with the Vikings, Cowboys, Buccaneers, Falcons and Dolphins.
Pre-Solomon Mays didn’t have a weight room, a water fountain for the practice field, video equipment or a tower from which to tape practices. It has that now, and more — including a jacuzzi to help prevent and treat injuries.
In short, Solomon is good news for Mays the way Darren Myles is for Carver-Atlanta, the way Rodney Cofield is for Washington and several other coaches who could be named here.
There seems no need to drag Solomon through the same kind of process that former McNair coach Johnny Gilbert had to endure two years ago in DeKalb County. The charges against Gilbert were infinitely more titillating, but after being arrested, held without bond and enduring months of trying to clear his good name, the coach finally won. But what price, vindication?
Here’s the most important prediction for this week: If APS digs deep, does its due diligence and resists the urge to take action for the sake of appearances, Solomon will be back on the sidelines. Post haste. In his absence, Mays beats Miller Grove.
MAXIE’S WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
Last week: 126-42 (.750)
Season: 880-236 (.789)
FRIDAY
Winner / Loser
Alexander / Osborne
Athens Acad. / Athens Chr.
Atkinson Co. / Pelham
Avondale / Decatur
Bainbridge / Lee Co.
Baldwin / Jones Co.
Banks Co. / Union Co.
Banneker / Northgate
Benedictine / South Effingham
Berkmar / Parkview
Brookstone / Cent.-Talbotton
Brookwood / South Gwinnett
Buford / Walker
Burke Co. / Hephzibah
Cairo / Worth Co.
Calhoun / Adairsville
Camden Co. / Beach
Campbell / McEachern
Carrollton / Sandy Creek
Cartersville / Cedartown
Carver-Columbus / Harris Co.
Cass / Cent.-Carroll
Cedar Grove / North Springs
Cedar Shoals / Alcovy
Chamblee / Grady
Charlton Co. / Brantley Co.
Chattahoochee / Northview
Chattahoochee Co. / Stewart-Quitman
Chattooga / LaFayette
Cherokee / Douglas Co.
Chestatee / White Co.
Claxton / Portal
Clinch Co. / Seminole Co.
Coffee / Warner Robins
Collins Hill / Forsyth Cent.
Columbia / Stone Mountain
Cook / Brooks Co.
Coosa / Temple
Creekview / South Paulding
Cross Creek / Butler
Dacula / Winder-Barrow
Dade Co. / Sonoraville
Dalton / N.W. Whitfield
Dodge Co. / Bleckley Co.
Dooly Co. / Irwin Co.
Douglass / Luella
Dublin / Vidalia
Duluth / North Forsyth
East Coweta / Mundy’s Mill
East Laurens / Tattnall Co.
East Paulding / Chapel Hill
Eastside / Heritage
ECI / Bryan Co.
Effingham Co. / Wayne Co.
ELCA / Whitefield Acad.
Fannin Co. / Dawson Co.
Fayette Co. / Westlake
Fellowship Chr. / Landmark Chr.
Fitzgerald / Early Co.
Franklin Co. / Elbert Co.
Gainesville / Pickens
Glascock Co. / Mt. Zion-Carroll
Glynn Academy / Lakeside-Evans
Gordon Cent. / Lakeview-F.O.
Grayson / Cent. Gwinnett
Greene Co. / Oglethorpe Co.
Greenville / Schley Co.
Griffin / Riverdale
Groves / Savannah
Habersham Cent. / Clarke Cent.
Hancock Cent. / Ga. Military Coll.
Harrison / Kennesaw Mtn.
Hart Co. / Monroe Area
Hillgrove / Woodland-Stock.
Jackson / Ola
Jefferson / Social Circle
Jefferson Co. / Swainsboro
Jenkins / Windsor Forest
Jenkins Co. / Calvary Day
Johnson-Gaines. / West Hall
Kendrick / Northside-Col.
LaGrange / Shaw
Laney / S.E. Bulloch
Lanier Co. / Calhoun Co.
Lassiter / Pope
Liberty Co. / Richmond Hill
Lincoln Co. / Wilkinson Co.
Loganville / Jackson Co.
Lowndes / Valdosta
Lumpkin Co. / East Hall
Manchester / Macon Co.
Marietta / Etowah
Marist / Lakeside-DeKalb
Mary Persons / Eagle’s Landing
Mays / Miller Grove
McIntosh Co. Acad. / Appling Co.
Miller Co. / Terrell Co.
Milton / Centennial
Mitchell Co. / Albany
Model / Armuchee
Morgan Co. / Rabun Co.
Mt. Pisgah Chr. / Our Lady of Mercy
Mt. Zion-Jonesboro / Forest Park
Newnan / Tri-Cities
Norcross / Mill Creek
Northeast-Macon / Cent.-Macon
North Cobb / Murray Co.
North Gwinnett / South Forsyth
North Hall / Gilmer
Northside-WR / Upson-Lee
Pacelli Catholic / Taylor Co.
Peach Co. / Perry
Pebblebrook / Woodland-Cart.
Pierce Co. / Jeff Davis
Prince Ave. Chr. / Commerce
Randolph-Clay / Berrien
Ridgeland / S.E. Whitfield
Rockmart / Pepperell
Rome / Ringgold
Roswell / Alpharetta
Rutland / Crawford Co.
Salem / Rockdale Co.
Sav. Chr. / Long Co.
Screven Co. / Josey
Sequoyah / Lithia Springs
Shiloh / Meadowcreek
South Cobb / Woodstock
Southside / Clarkston
Southwest DeKalb / St. Pius
Spalding / Henry Co.
Spencer / Jordan
Statesboro / Richmond Acad.
Stephens Co. / Oconee Co.
Stephenson / Redan
Telfair Co. / Montgomery Co.
Thomas Co. Cent. / Americus-Sumter
Thomson / Glenn Hills
Tift Co. / Houston Co.
Towers / South Atlanta
Treutlen / Wheeler Co.
Tucker / Washington
Turner Co. / Hawkinsville
Twiggs Co. / Aquinas
Villa Rica / Haralson Co.
Walton / Kell
Ware Co. / Greenbrier
Warren Co. / Monticello
Washington Co. / Harlem
Wash.-Wilkes / Putnam Co.
Wesleyan / GAC
West Laurens / Southwest-Mac.
Westminster / Blessed Trinity
Westside-Augusta / Metter
Westside-Macon / Dutchtown
Wheeler / Sprayberry
Whitewater / Starr’s Mill
Woodward Acad. / McIntosh
SATURDAY
Bradwell Institute / Johnson-Sav.
Carver-Atlanta / McNair
Dougherty / Westover
Dunwoody / Riverwood
Lovett / Holy Innocents’
M.L. King / Newton
North Atlanta / Druid Hills
North Clayton / Jonesboro
Paulding Co. / Morrow
Troup / Columbus
Union Grove / Lithonia
Permalink | Comments (33) | Post your comment | Categories: Darryl Maxie
Comments
By _ _ _ _ Source
October 18, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Don’t be to quick to judge??
Word has it that Mays has to forfeit some game for playing inelgible player.
That is the Head Coach responsibility to know.
yes, he was cleared in FL, and that is the past, don’t punish his for that but the new violation is in the present.
By JJ
October 18, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
North Gwinnett’s on a roll. Look out here we come….6-0……
Saturday a.m will be 7-0!!!! We crushed Peachtree Ridge Lions last weekend, and we are going to crush South Forsyth too!!!!!
By ethics
October 18, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Darryl: When an educator signs a contract in GA,there is a disclosure portion where you have the chance to let the system know of any past discretions,etc.When a person writes that he has not been under investigation,etc.when he has,it is grounds for dismissal.It is falsification of the application.Don’t know if this is the case here,but it is in writing on the contract if that is the case.
By Josh
October 18, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Nice to see how you’re giving possibly the best matchup of the night some love…#3 Fitzgerald and #4 Early County in AA…..oh that’s right nobody ever talks about anything outside of AAAA
By Northside Fan
October 18, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
I hope that Northside of Columbus knows that they are playing at Upson Lee. I thought we (Northside of Warner Robins) were playing in Thomaston. Who are we playing?
By davil
October 18, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
Correction: Northside/WR is playing Upson-Lee in Thomaston Friday night at 7:30 pm. !!!NORTHSIDE PRIDE!!!
By schoolingthem
October 18, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Hey, Darryl we don’t want to hear about Mays coach, history has shown whomever they put there, those kids will win. Give us the predicts like normal.Open your eyes about that guy, some of his coaches left last year to go to that school in the North.
By Dexter Knox
October 18, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Darryl,you’ve been wrong on every Jeff Davis game this season,as well as, a lot of other south Georgia football matchups.If you need help picking games why don’t you just swallow your pride and ask?
By voice of reason
October 18, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
‘Schoolingthem’ is on point, Mays H.S. has always had very good athletes(some questionable head coaches). The schools’ Media Specialist got more kids football scholarships than the coach this year!?! Stick to the predicts.
By NSHS FAN
October 18, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
To: “By Northside Fan”——-Please use another handle. I have been using that one for more than two years. I just want my fellow bloggers to get us mixed up.
By NSHS FAN
October 18, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
To: “By Northside Fan”——-Please use another handle. I have been using that one for more than two years. I just don’t want my fellow bloggers to get us mixed up.
By wait
October 18, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
CARVER OVER MCNAIR. I DONT KNOW THIS IS NOT LAST YEAR AND MCNAIR IS BATTLE TESTED.
By DARTDAWG
October 18, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
MAXIE, 28 SENIORS FOR NORTHWEST. DOMINATED DALTON IN JR HIGH,FRESH,AND JV. THEY WILL NOT LOSE THIS YEAR. MARK IT DOWN.
By mikefresh
October 18, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
dacula over winder can someone please explain this????? did anybody see what habersham did last week against dacula and what clarke central did two weeks ago????
By Northside Fan
October 18, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Hey, NSHS FAN get over it.
By class a fan
October 18, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Prince Ave. Chr. over Commerce ????
By Panther Fan
October 18, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Carver over Mcnair!!! Of Course. Have you seen Mcnair’s offense, IT’S HORRIBLE!!!! They have only won those last two games because they are playing sorry opponents. The Panther Defense will show you how simple it is to stop an I backfield when you don’t have hogs up front. It’s going to be a blowout!
By Panther Fan
October 18, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
Battle Tested?? That just means you lost a lot.
By Brittany
October 18, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
You SERIOUSLY think Marietta’s going to beat Etowah? Not a chance, Maxie.
By HiramHornet Alumni
October 18, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Well, SINCE MY TEAM IS OFF THIS WEEK….I HAVE TO STICK WITH 2 OF MY COUNTIES OTHER TEAMS…. GOOD PICK ON EP RAIDERS MOVING TO 7-0…. but come on you think The WINLESS Patriots from Paulding is going to beat MORROW??? I know Morrow isn’t a power house but…. I think PC PATRIOTS WILL BE 0-10 THIS YEAR…..
By Andrew
October 18, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
By:The PFL
Hey Darryl where can I find your Thursday night games at just curious
By Richard
October 19, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
I agree the best game in the state is in south ga. # Fitzgerald vs #4 Early Co. we know highlights are about impossible, but big games against top 5 teams should get attention instead of two unranked.
By Richard
October 19, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
I agree the best game in the state is in south ga. # Fitzgerald vs #4 Early Co. we know highlights are about impossible, but big games against top 5 teams should get attention instead of two unranked.
By Jerry
October 19, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
Dalton over my Bruins???? You have GOT to be kidding!! We will whip those preppies so bad it won’t be funny! Too much speed, size, character, very superior coaching,etc.
By daPro
October 19, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Berkmar over Parkview??? Are you crazy or does your mom just dress you funny?
By Mays fan from DC area
October 19, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Jesse Solomon is a very dedicated coach which is evident by his team’s success. Mays may have good players, but it takes a great coach to get them to “buy in”, playing as one to achieve a common goal…winning. Mays will suffer a big loss if APS makes the wrong decision.
By Fit To Be Tied
October 19, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Berkmar over Parkview. Yes!!! This is the year. It’s been a long time coming but after 10 PM tonight it will be here.
By Bigmike671
October 19, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Nice pick from last week, predicting that North Gwinnett would loose. Don’t quit your day job as a gay porn flick fluffer.
By BULLDOG
October 20, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
Its funny in the big games AJC always go against Douglas County High School football team—a few years ago AJC predicted we would lose real real bad against Warner Robins which was rank number 3 or 4 in the state WE WON—-against you show us no respect—you said Cherokee would beat us—we was killing them 48—-7 with six minutes left our younger players enter and they score 2 tds on them with there varsity players— show us a little respect MR MAXIE
By daPro
October 20, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Just like I stated, you’re crazy…Parkview “stuns” Berkmar…what a shocker.
By Gman
October 20, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
ST Pius from 1982 to Paul Standard-59-130 (.312)
ST Pius during Paul Standard 51-25 (.671)
AJC respect shown for a little Catholic program that over the last five years has has beaten SW Dekalb, Mays, Marist, Tucker, Dalton, Thomas County Central, and came within a minute and three points of beating NSWR last year?
0%
St. Pius-the best little football program in Atlanta.
By Bob
October 20, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
Great job Coffee!! Beat Valdosta next week and keep the train rolling. Great job North Cobb its been along time since I left NC in 1986. Keep up the good work.
By Fit To Be Tied
October 22, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
To DaPro: you were right. It was either “doctored” water or the Patriot’s being down at the wrong time.