SIAC 2025

[Titan32]

Derek Hart interview:

 

https://fb.watch/xC4fJsES4P/

[TigerFan20]

There will be a new opening in the SIAC, Joey Paridaen is leaving North for Tecumseh. 

[Titan32]

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/02/10/ihsaa-football-joey-paridaen-named-head-coach-at-tecumseh-north-high-school/78258668007/

[TigerFan20]

Wasn’t expecting Paridaen leaving North, although they have to replenish their entire offense, but return a majority of their defense back. 

[AW0352]

13 minutes ago, TigerFan20 said:

There will be a new opening in the SIAC, Joey Paridaen is leaving North for Tecumseh. 

I can’t figure this out at all.   I heard rumors that the locker room was really really bad towards the end of the year.   Maybe he decided enough was enough and wanted somewhere different. 

[TigerFan20]

4 minutes ago, AW0352 said:

I can’t figure this out at all.   I heard rumors that the locker room was really really bad towards the end of the year.   Maybe he decided enough was enough and wanted somewhere different. 

Could be a case, or he wanted to find a new challenge. But this came out of nowhere compared to the Jasper/MD openings, since those 2 were hinted throughout the season.

[tango]

Wow. Surprised a competitor would dive from 5A to 1A ball, but maybe the SIAC was just too tough.

[TigerFan20]

Looked like Coach Paridaen missed coaching at smaller schools as one of his main reasons on leaving.

[oldtimeqb]

Isn’t that two straight coaches? 
 

Szabo and now Paridaen? 
 

Does Warrick county pay better than EVSC? 

[ocwm2000]

It may take a little time as he gets everything in place and puts his ‘stamp’ on things, but make no mistake: This is a big-time hire for Tecumseh. Coach Paridaen is a proven leader, especially at the 1A level, and obviously had some success at North in leading them to a Sectional Championship in 2023. 

Tecumseh had an undefeated regular season as recently as 2022 and has very good facilities for a 1A program. 

Edited February 11, 2025 by ocwm2000

[Evansville50]

North is the best public school football job in the SIAC. Great facilities, large diverse enrollment to pull from, financial resources, family support etc. They should be at the top of the conference every year. Sleeping giant. 

[tango]

1 hour ago, Evansville50 said:

North is the best public school football job in the SIAC. Great facilities, large diverse enrollment to pull from, financial resources, family support etc. They should be at the top of the conference every year. Sleeping giant. 

I think I would argue Reitz, which is fairly comparable in facilities, has the Bowl, better tradition & fan support and has the added advantage of being the "favorite football child" of the EVSC AD. North being so far away from a large percentage of students can make it tough for off season stuff (from what I hear). No question North would be my #2 in the EVSC though. The other 3 really struggle.

[Titan32]

2 hours ago, Evansville50 said:

North is the best public school football job in the SIAC. Great facilities, large diverse enrollment to pull from, financial resources, family support etc. They should be at the top of the conference every year. Sleeping giant. 

Tell me you haven't been exposed to the kids at North without telling me you haven't been exposed.

[Titan32]

Getting kids to anything there is a struggle, and they could take or leave football; they don't care. Unless there is a strong parent-driven class that comes through from time to time, that does all the youth stuff, etc., the only classes that seem to get traction are the ones that do.

Some publics can maintain great parent-driven classes year after year...some can't.  

I think it's at least mildly comical how people think because you have "athletes in the building" that somehow that right coach is going to turn that one factor into success. I mean, I guess you can be Reitz and get some of those kids out and run go routes all night.  How is that working out?

The path to success is having kids involved in football from 1st grade on...."Joey program kid" wins more games that 4.4 kid "in the building"

 

[Football Fanatic]

15 hours ago, AW0352 said:

I can’t figure this out at all.   I heard rumors that the locker room was really really bad towards the end of the year.   Maybe he decided enough was enough and wanted somewhere different. 

That certainly could be part of it. But he returns to a 1A school with recent success, while he also had success at a previous 1A school. Less pressure, less competition, less competing for athletes in the city (especially with new transfer rule coming). With the way North is set up, it is difficult to get kids to commit to football during the offseason and transportation/travel has some to do with that. They could have success with the right coaching staff. Who knows if or when that will happen though. Big question is, do they hire from within the EVSC or look elsewhere?

[Football Fanatic]

3 hours ago, Evansville50 said:

North is the best public school football job in the SIAC. Great facilities, large diverse enrollment to pull from, financial resources, family support etc. They should be at the top of the conference every year. Sleeping giant. 

That's one argument. But even with the factors you mentioned, you would have a tough time getting most to disagree that Reitz is the best public school program around. Especially with how they are trending now. Good staff, good community support, and the best venue around. And it helps that athletes want to play there. Really interested to see how the new transfer rule effects the landscape of talent for the public schools.

[TigerFan20]

Some thoughts to think about to pass the time. 
 

Who wins the SIAC this year?

Who has the deepest playoff run?

How does the outlook look for the new coaches (so far)?

Can this SIAC Curse be broken this year?

Edited February 14, 2025 by TigerFan20

[Football Fanatic]

13 hours ago, TigerFan20 said:

Who wins the SIAC this year?

Who has the deepest playoff run?

How does the outlook look for the new coaches (so far)?

Can this SIAC Curse be broken this year?

- I have Reitz winning the SIAC with Memorial and Mater Dei also being in the running.

- Deepest playoff run could be any of Reitz, Memorial, Mater Dei, or even Castle. It all depends on the draw. I could see a scenario where three teams win their sectional and also a scenario where none of the teams make it out of their sectional. Memorial and Mater Dei will have to go through two tough teams who return a lot in Gibson Southern and Southridge. Reitz will have to go through state contender Heritage Hills and a mysterious, maybe rejuvenated, Jasper team. Castle (a question mark themselves) will have to go through a Floyd Central team who returns a lot.

- Jasper is in good hands with their new coach. It may take a few years to develop the kids in a totally different system, but they will have the size and athletes to be competitive. Whoever the new North coach is will have a lot on his plate and it may take a few years to clear it. Mater Dei is also in good hands (assuming we know who it will be) and I would imagine the DC and rest of staff will remain mostly the same and be good guidance for the newbie. They will be solid but probably won't make it out of that sectional.

- I assume the curse you speak of is the winner of the SIAC not winning their sectional. Crazy as it is, I think the curse may continue. I have Reitz winning the SIAC. They should be good enough to make a semi-state run. Unfortunately, they will run into a team that may be even better. Heritage Hills will be state contenders again with who they have returning. Lot of time between now and then and obviously we will know more throughout the season. Just early thoughts!

[TigerFan20]

56 minutes ago, Football Fanatic said:

I assume the curse you speak of is the winner of the SIAC not winning their sectional.

Besides 2020 Central, all the undefeated SIAC champions have lost in their sectionals. It will be interesting to see if that happens again this year or it’s finally broken. Seems like Reitz is the favorite for this year, since they returned a good amount on both sides. Interesting to see who their QB will be this season, but I’m guessing they will be run heavy again with Darrett in the backfield.

[Football Fanatic]

2 hours ago, TigerFan20 said:

Besides 2020 Central, all the undefeated SIAC champions have lost in their sectionals. It will be interesting to see if that happens again this year or it’s finally broken. Seems like Reitz is the favorite for this year, since they returned a good amount on both sides. Interesting to see who their QB will be this season, but I’m guessing they will be run heavy again with Darrett in the backfield.

Crazy to think about. Normally I would say this is the year it could be done with Reitz expected to be very solid and how they size up with that sectional. But that definitely changes with Heritage Hills (most likey) being in it. Reitz does return a lot but yes, QB and WRs/DBs will be their only true question marks. Seems like they have plenty of talent but not sure they have the guys to match up with a Goldsberry or Ruxer.

I'm guessing there will be a QB battle on The Hill, at least early on until things play out more. If the Johnson kid comes back healthy, he could potentially be a threat at QB but that also would take away one of their threats at WR. I agree that Darrett will probably be their main RB but could also see him moving out to the slot at times and sprinkling in another RB just to get more of their speedy guys in space. We also have to wait and see what happens after the new transfer rule gets put into place, and whether it helps or hurts some schools. But I would say the SIAC this year is more a question mark than it typically is, especially after the top 3-4 teams.

[TigerFan20]

Cody Hess is officially hired to be the next football coach at Mater Dei.

[TigerFan20]

 

[TigerFan20]

Any news on the North Coach search?

[oldtimeqb]

On 12/9/2024 at 9:41 AM, oldtimeqb said:

This to me is the big question mark.  I was not necessarily surprised by the change, but that breaks up a relatively stable group of "experienced" coaches in the SIAC.

1. Goebel - 28 years

2. Hurt - 19 years

3. Hurley - 17 years

4. Salters - 8 years

5. Paridaen - 7 years

6. Lewis - 6 years (now open)  

7. Brunson - 5 years 

8. Sutton - 5 years

9. Mullen - 4 years

10. Artis - 2 years

I want to say it will be a wide open conference race next year.  But I have thought the same the last few years and the winner has been 9-0 every year since 2020. 

Missed it by that much.

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[Football Fanatic]

19 hours ago, TigerFan20 said:

Any news on the North Coach search?

Heard some candidates but nothing on front runners or anything. Whoever gets it will have their hands full but for their sake, they better hire the right guy.