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I think first and foremost, some people do not really understand the amount of work and effort that go into head coaching. I believe that many new head coaches get blown away by the amount of organization, managing, and balancing that must occur in order to change or build a culture once the really get into the thick of it. The grind can wear people down. X's and O's are just a very small percentage when you look at the bigger factors involved in building and maintaining a culture. It is mostly a thankless position, and sometimes when you win, you really lose.

Coach Peo, I don't believe it is unfortunate that you are hiring the best teacher for the position regardless if they coach. I have been in the business of coaching and teaching for nearly 25 years. I have seen lesser teachers hired over highly qualified people, and the result is usually bad. I have not seen to many bad teachers that are great coaches. They go hand in hand to me. I have also seen my fair share of nepotism in this profession that frustrates good young coaches and even veteran coaches.

We dont have the usual thread so this may start it but West Washington Senior to be DE Caleb Murphy has received an offer from Ball St per his Twitter account. For a 1A school in a cornfield I find this amazing. Congrats to him and interested to see if more come in as year moves forward.

Some changes at Pioneer beyond the '19 senior class... Previous Varsity Assistant Coach Dave Gregorich (2007 Pioneer graduate) has resigned and is now with Coach Johnson at Logansport. Dave organized some great defenses, getting to the State Championship 4 of his 5 years as the DC. Dave also coached the OL. With that exit, Coach Berry has promoted Varsity Assistant Coach Matt Vianco to DC. Coach V played (RB/DB) played with/graduated with Coach Berry from Pioneer in 2006. Coach V has been on staff coaching the RBs/DBs the past 2 years, as well as being the JV offensive play caller. Additionally, Coach Berry has promoted Junior High Coach Josh Lytle to Varsity Assistant Coach. Josh played for Pioneer 2009-2012, recently graduated from Purdue, and just completed his 2nd season coaching Junior High. He will coach the OL, while Varsity Assistant Coach Matt Gates, also a 2006 Pioneer graduate, coaches the DL. Josh was an Indiana North All-Star (OL), as was Coach Gates (DE). The status of 20 year veteran Pioneer coach Steve Berkshire (LBs) is unknown at this time. But he's like that stray dog you kick to the curb, he just won't go away for good and keeps showing back up and bringing a smile to your face when you need it. Besides that, someone has to keep Coach Berry's head in check by reminding him daily that he lost a game once upon a time (as if 44-1 and 2 titles isn't enough). I really don't know how many high school staffs across the state can stake claim to having 100% of their staff be former players and alumni. It's definitely special to have such a close knit group, and the passion they put into it for their alma mater is second to none. As for me, time to take a break and be a fan. It's been a fun ride. 13 years of youth league, 3 years of junior high, 4 years Varsity Assistant... and every one of those 20 years fully tied into and committed to our Head Coach's program. That's the secret, that's what it takes to develop players in a system, people who buy in. It's a top down and bottom up mentality. ALL IN. And if people think Pioneer is rebuilding and will start to drop off, don't expect them to drop too far as long as the above coaches are on the prowl!

...ok I'm just a big geek, but I think this stuff is cool. The Falcons scoreboard drawns more energy during a single game than my home does in some of the coldest months of the year.

In looking at Ms. Copp's article and looking at other articles, some like this one from RedState, what's happened is that folks have tended to use their own idea of what a specific term means or implies and have then stretched it. ... note, I'm not saying that's what you are doing. Ms. Copp's article states that the Marine Corps states that he's not a Vietnam veteran, but doesn't actually produce documentation or a quote. What it appears that she's done though is piggybacked off of the argument that some folks started with, that being a Vietnam vet is synonymous with being a COMBAT Vietnam vet. The released DD-214 shows that Mr. Phillips wasn't in-country, and thus isn't a combat Vietnam vet. Folks that consider the two synonymous have then doubled-down on saying that he's not a Vietnam vet. I would venture a guess that, if anyone actually asked Ms. Copp where is her proof, she will reference the WaPo article where the thrust is disputing whether or not Phillip's was in-country. Many other articles of that type are written with statements akin to "Phillips claims to be a Vietnam veteran, but paperwork shows that he was not there" or "... documentation shows he was never deployed." Folks then run with that and then say, see he lied he's not a Vietnam vet ... when what they probably meant was "Aha, he's not a combat vet in Vietnam." Others who then write editorials or opinion-like pieces then also lazily state, "He's not a Vietnam vet and that was proven by the Marines." As people said said he's not a combat vet, but he is a vet, then the new direction is to make him a bad vet. He may well be a less-than-stellar soldier; however, some things that aren't in true dispute are, he did not get a dishonorable discharge, he is a vet, he's a Vietnam vet, he was awarded a NDSM, he's not a combat vet. This stuff reminds me somewhat, unfortunately, of the cr*p that my father-in-law is going through with the VA over Agent Orange claims. He was Navy and was was in-country in Vietnam. Despite the Blue Water Navy Act, he's still getting a bunch of run-around as waterways are "re-designated" etc. Doesn't change where he was, nor his exposure, nor his symptoms, just whether or not his claim gets granted.

Aren't you afraid they'll all come back soaking wet?

http://reason.com/blog/2019/01/24/dont-call-congressional-interference-on If this comes to pass, it's yet another waste of Congresses time and taxpayers money. Why must government be the default answer to virtually every circumstance when someone of some group feels they were wronged?

2018 Academic All-State Selections: https://ifca.net/all-state-teams/

While I appreciate that he wasn't a COMBAT vet and you may question the vet classification in association with a war period from your stance, for veteran benefits purposes, here's what the VA says: https://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/wartimeperiod.asp FTA: Eligible Wartime Periods Under current law, VA recognizes the following wartime periods to determine eligibility for VA Pension benefits: Mexican Border Period (May 9, 1916 – April 5, 1917 for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or adjacent waters) World War I (April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918) World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946) Korean conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955) Vietnam era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; otherwise August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975) [my emphasis] Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – through a future date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation) My father was stationed in Europe during his five-year stint in the US Air Force as a volunteer, from roughly 1960-1965. Never set foot in Vietnam. Upon his death, he received the following type of grave marker from the VA/National Cemetery Association that was placed on his burial site: which specifically listed his rank and states VIETNAM on the plaque. Whether folks want to call a Vietnam vet someone who saw combat duty, or was stationed in the theater, or "in the rear with the gear," or who was in the services somewhere on the planet during war-time at veteran, that's of their own choosing, but someone who served in the armed services is a veteran regardless of war-time or peace-time or "ceasefire" time or humanitarian aid time. Someone who served in the services during the designated periods are considered veterans of that war ... with the exceptions listed above such as the early part of Vietnam or the Mexican Border Period. I would hope that we'd all, especially those of us who have or have had service members, don't get caught up in playing "he's not really a vet." You can make the claim that he's not a combat vet, but he's a vet nonetheless. And by the limitations provided by the VA ... for example, you had to have been "in-country" to be counted as Vietnam vet from February 28, 1961 - August 4, 1964 or in the service, August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975 ... they have already accounted for the fact that "in-country" isn't a requirement for classification of a Vietnam vet unless it was in the February 28, 1961 - August 4, 1964 period.

I didn’t realize we qualified military service by whether the Veteran served in a war zone or not. Or is this The New Normal? A lot of people who served their Country without fighting in a war are likely to be upset about this attitude.

My 6th-grader has the body, the athleticism and the aggressiveness to be a decent football player. But he has never enjoyed playing football in any organized manner (although my yard is the neighborhood football field and he organizes a pickup game almost every day during the summer/fall). I've always encouraged him to follow his passion - and he really enjoys playing soccer (which he plays like a football player) and hoops. He's tried football, soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, pretty much anything with a ball. I'll keep encouraging him in whatever he chooses. Let the kids do and be what they want to be and encourage them regardless.

You have to let them do what they want. Foxbat can attest to my story. I coached both my son's in football for years. Oldest son played as a freshman and was apart of LCC 2009 State Championship. I seen something in the following spring that he wasn't in to football anymore. I asked him if he had a choice between soccer and football what we chose. He thought about it and wanted to play soccer but never said anything to me. He thought I wouldn't let him because is was very involved in coaching football. He played soccer for three years and became a top 5 career goal scorer and hold the single season goals scored. Now he is the head coach of LCC soccer program and has the most wins by a coach. But this would have never would have happen if I didn't have that conversation with him. My other son, who was a starting lineman and getting some looks to play college football, Decided to play soccer his Senior season. He went from starting on the 2015 state team, on the biggest 1A line that year to soccer. people thought he was crazy for doing this. We heard things like How is a kid that is 6'2 270 going to be any good at soccer and that it was a waste. Well he was very good and ended the season with 6 goals including the sectional game winner against westside. It was the first ever for the school and he did it with his older Brother as his coach. It was the best season ever for me and there mom watching the both of them. My point is you have to let them do and be what they want. You never know what could be if you don't. They now Both coach The soccer team.

Far worse than robotics -- which I find pretty cool -- my son played soccer for a few years.

Ummmmm, I'm not sure if there's anything that Pioneer can be better at than last year. Maybe not winning by so much?

So glad this is back up and running!!

https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/could-video-gamers-make-better-drone-pilots-180964653/ https://theaviationgeekclub.com/study-finds-video-gamers-better-ga-pilots-uav-operators/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/09/royal-air-force-recruit-video-game-players-operate-reaper-drones

Just goes to highlight how much of the federal government could be effectively privatized.

http://reason.com/blog/2019/01/24/new-poll-shows-medicare-for-all-is-popul As usual, "the devil is in the details". And socialist programs like "Medicare For All" reveals itself as being bad for Americans who value small government and individual liberty.