New Pascagoula, East Central coaches face differing challenges
Pascagoula coach Ron Norman.
New Pascagoula, East Central coaches face differing challenges
Two of the newest high school coaches in East Jackson County couldn't be facing more different challenges.
I made a visit this week to East Central football coach Seth Smith and Pascagoula boys basketball coach Ron Norman as the two try to make the most out of the summer in their first years on the job.
Smith is dealing with an East Central football program where losses far out-number wins over the past decade.
At Pascagoula, Norman is hoping to continue a winning tradition. The Panthers have been to the state semifinals in Jackson the last three years.
At first glance, it appears as if the two men are the perfect fit for the two schools.
Smith is a hard-working, detail-oriented and gracious character determined to turn the tide for the Hornets' football program. He admittedly micromanages every facet of the team, sitting down with each player after the spring to set lists of goals for each one.
Norman is an intense and demanding coach who fits the bill of what the Panthers needed after last season ended in the Class 5A state semifinals with far too much bickering among teammates.
Tony Combs, who stepped down after two successful years at Pascagoula following last season, was the first to say that the program needed a disciplinarian to take charge of the team.
While Norman has admitted to some ups and downs in his short time on the job, the players have bought in to what he's preaching early on.
Norman works hard and expects the same out of his players.
"He always says, 'To whom much is given, much is expected,'" Panthers senior guard Kenny Holloway said. "We've been given a lot so he expects a lot of out of us."
While Combs was a relaxed and likable coach, Norman is not afraid to get into his players' faces.
He does it with a good sense of humor and an approach that demands respect.
Following Monday's summer workout at East Central, Smith had a paint brush in hand as he and some of his assistants work to spruce up the school's football field house.
It was a moment that best summed up Smith's workman-like approach.
Whether it's painting the field house or hovering over the offense, defense and special teams, Smith is making sure no detail is overlooked.
"I'm definitely a little over the top with that," Smith said. "I like to have a hand on everything. I don't know if that's good or bad. We'll find out, but that's just my personality."
The one thing that Norman and Smith have in common is that they both come from winners.
Norman built one of the top Class 5A programs in the state at Wayne County, winning the 2011 state championship.
Smith helped Pearl River Central earn a 20-7 record over the last two years as the team's defensive coordinator in one of the biggest turnarounds in the state. He also previously worked for a proven winner at Picayune under head coach Dodd Lee, who is also his father-in-law.
While Norman is a proven winner as a head coach, Smith is stepping into the role for the first time.
Smith seems well-suited for the responsibility, and he praised his assistants for helping him get off to a good start in Hurley.
"The staff here has been awesome," Smith said. "With the way we're working, hopefully that will turn into success."
Contact Patrick Magee at pmagee@sunherald.com.
I made a visit this week to East Central football coach Seth Smith and Pascagoula boys basketball coach Ron Norman as the two try to make the most out of the summer in their first years on the job.
Smith is dealing with an East Central football program where losses far out-number wins over the past decade.
At Pascagoula, Norman is hoping to continue a winning tradition. The Panthers have been to the state semifinals in Jackson the last three years.
At first glance, it appears as if the two men are the perfect fit for the two schools.
Smith is a hard-working, detail-oriented and gracious character determined to turn the tide for the Hornets' football program. He admittedly micromanages every facet of the team, sitting down with each player after the spring to set lists of goals for each one.
Norman is an intense and demanding coach who fits the bill of what the Panthers needed after last season ended in the Class 5A state semifinals with far too much bickering among teammates.
Tony Combs, who stepped down after two successful years at Pascagoula following last season, was the first to say that the program needed a disciplinarian to take charge of the team.
While Norman has admitted to some ups and downs in his short time on the job, the players have bought in to what he's preaching early on.
Norman works hard and expects the same out of his players.
"He always says, 'To whom much is given, much is expected,'" Panthers senior guard Kenny Holloway said. "We've been given a lot so he expects a lot of out of us."
While Combs was a relaxed and likable coach, Norman is not afraid to get into his players' faces.
He does it with a good sense of humor and an approach that demands respect.
Following Monday's summer workout at East Central, Smith had a paint brush in hand as he and some of his assistants work to spruce up the school's football field house.
It was a moment that best summed up Smith's workman-like approach.
Whether it's painting the field house or hovering over the offense, defense and special teams, Smith is making sure no detail is overlooked.
"I'm definitely a little over the top with that," Smith said. "I like to have a hand on everything. I don't know if that's good or bad. We'll find out, but that's just my personality."
The one thing that Norman and Smith have in common is that they both come from winners.
Norman built one of the top Class 5A programs in the state at Wayne County, winning the 2011 state championship.
Smith helped Pearl River Central earn a 20-7 record over the last two years as the team's defensive coordinator in one of the biggest turnarounds in the state. He also previously worked for a proven winner at Picayune under head coach Dodd Lee, who is also his father-in-law.
While Norman is a proven winner as a head coach, Smith is stepping into the role for the first time.
Smith seems well-suited for the responsibility, and he praised his assistants for helping him get off to a good start in Hurley.
"The staff here has been awesome," Smith said. "With the way we're working, hopefully that will turn into success."
Contact Patrick Magee at pmagee@sunherald.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment