North Side makes a change

[Justasportsfan]

The schematics were atrocious.  The backup qb could have gotten his sea legs early..when they put him in he completed a few passes..I'm guessing East Noble would have double or triple covered him at Wr..heck even the TE has gotten offers..didnt get 1 single target..

[Justasportsfan]

6 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

The schematics were atrocious.  The backup qb could have gotten his sea legs early..when they put him in he completed a few passes..I'm guessing East Noble would have double or triple covered him at Wr..heck even the TE has gotten offers..didnt get 1 single target..

As madden said, "don't worry about the horse being blind,  just load the wagon "

[Coach Nowlin]

East Noble has multiple D1 guys and could have the best Soph in the state in RB/LB Austin Philips 

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/article/one-of-the-best-in-2029-top100-lb-austin-phillips-eyeing-the-best-in-the-midwest-289108852/

 

https://outsidethehuddle.net/2026/07/23/oth-2026-football-preview-the-hype-surrounding-east-nobles-austin-phillips-is-very-real/

 

 

 

[hhpatriot04]

As an outsider, why is this being done after Week 1? Isn't this a decision you should commit to in the offseason as a program?

[First_Backer_Inside]

4 minutes ago, hhpatriot04 said:

As an outsider, why is this being done after Week 1? Isn't this a decision you should commit to in the offseason as a program?

Sounds like something where immediate action needed to be taken and not having anything to do with x's and o's. Have to wait to see what the media puts out if/when they do.

[23andCounting]

6 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

East Noble has multiple D1 guys and could have the best Soph in the state in RB/LB Austin Philips 

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/article/one-of-the-best-in-2029-top100-lb-austin-phillips-eyeing-the-best-in-the-midwest-289108852/

 

https://outsidethehuddle.net/2026/07/23/oth-2026-football-preview-the-hype-surrounding-east-nobles-austin-phillips-is-very-real/

 

Just curious. Who are the others with D1 offers? I'm just seeing Austin Phillips. 

[Justasportsfan]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

Just curious. Who are the others with D1 offers? I'm just seeing Austin Phillips. 

Went to state for shot put last spring.  EN allowed him to rest throughout the game..I digress.  I was also unaware of the other D1 guys..

[IPFWFootball]

8 hours ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

Sounds like something where immediate action needed to be taken and not having anything to do with x's and o's. Have to wait to see what the media puts out if/when they do.

I am very curious to see if FWCS ever comes out and says the true reason behind this, and why the timing of it (Doubtful). All in all, bad look for the district, school, program. Feel bad for the students/teachers/and staff who will now have to deal with all the fallout

[23andCounting]

1 hour ago, Justasportsfan said:

Went to state for shot put last spring.  EN allowed him to rest throughout the game..I digress.  I was also unaware of the other D1 guys..

I know they have some players getting DII, DIII, & NAIA looks. Just not aware of anymore D1 offers. 

[23andCounting]

4 minutes ago, IPFWFootball said:

I am very curious to see if FWCS ever comes out and says the true reason behind this, and why the timing of it (Doubtful). All in all, bad look for the district, school, program. Feel bad for the students/teachers/and staff who will now have to deal with all the fallout

Right now the rape accusations are factual, backed up by reliable news sources. The influx of athletes at North Side and Northrop is just speculation at the moment. I'm sure it will all come to light.

[SAC_Coach]

10 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Right now the rape accusations are factual, backed up by reliable news sources. The influx of athletes at North Side and Northrop is just speculation at the moment. I'm sure it will all come to light.

Before people go crazy with what 23 just said. He is refering to this student situation and the responsibilities of adults surrounding it. The investigations are revealing many things inside of North Side. 

 

https://www.wane.com/top-stories/teenager-charged-as-an-adult-in-2-separate-rape-cases/

[IPFWFootball]

16 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Right now the rape accusations are factual, backed up by reliable news sources. The influx of athletes at North Side and Northrop is just speculation at the moment. I'm sure it will all come to light.

Yes, I have heard lots of things over the last 15/16 hours from people I would deem very reliable sources on what's going on, but again until things are officially reported on, this forum isn't the place to put those out.

But again I'm more interested in how FWCS will be handling this from not only a PR standpoint, but also the puzzling timeline. 

[hhpatriot04]

Let's move on from legal accusations regarding minors who are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Instead, this conversation should focus on the football repercussions and expectations for the coaching change.

We are walking a fine line even though this has been widely reported. 

[Justasportsfan]

1 minute ago, hhpatriot04 said:

Let's move on from legal accusations regarding minors who are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Instead, this conversation should focus on the football repercussions and expectations for the coaching change.

We are walking a fine line even though this has been widely reported. 

I think with Jaylon running the show, the legends will make smarter offensive decisions. Them being unable to win the field position battle really put them in unfortunate situations.  There is no way they an egg against New Haven…..right?

[adambetz]

2 hours ago, Justasportsfan said:

I think with Jaylon running the show, the legends will make smarter offensive decisions. Them being unable to win the field position battle really put them in unfortunate situations.  There is no way they an egg against New Haven…..right?

I doubt it. In fact I bet the shut New Haven out.

[Boilernation]

6 hours ago, Justasportsfan said:

I think with Jaylon running the show, the legends will make smarter offensive decisions. Them being unable to win the field position battle really put them in unfortunate situations.  There is no way they an egg against New Haven…..right?

Is it safe to assume Jaylon is a popular figure in Fort Wayne and the youth look to him as a celebrity? I can't help buy wonder how his hire changes the landscape in Fort Wayne if he's there for the long haul and can build a competitive 5A team. I would think that would make North a trendy location for transfers.

 

[jakone]

11 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Is it safe to assume Jaylon is a popular figure in Fort Wayne and the youth look to him as a celebrity? I can't help buy wonder how his hire changes the landscape in Fort Wayne if he's there for the long haul and can build a competitive 5A team. I would think that would make North a trendy location for transfers.

 

It already is a trendy location for transfers. 

[23andCounting]

18 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Is it safe to assume Jaylon is a popular figure in Fort Wayne and the youth look to him as a celebrity? I can't help buy wonder how his hire changes the landscape in Fort Wayne if he's there for the long haul and can build a competitive 5A team. I would think that would make North a trendy location for transfers.

 

It's my understanding that his hire is just temporary until they find a full time replacement. I think Smiths investment in the program might change now that his cousin is out. He's a good replacement for now as I'm sure he wants to see this group of kids succeed since he probably had a lot to do with them coming to North Side. He's not going to abandon them. North Side can absolutely be competitive in 5A. There's talent in the halls even without the recruits. But it's going to take a coach who has a good grip on fundamentals, x's and o's, ability to teach leadership, and willingness to stick around more than a couple of years. Wealth isn't made overnight, it's built over time. 

[Justasportsfan]

36 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Is it safe to assume Jaylon is a popular figure in Fort Wayne and the youth look to him as a celebrity? I can't help buy wonder how his hire changes the landscape in Fort Wayne if he's there for the long haul and can build a competitive 5A team. I would think that would make North a trendy location for transfers.

 

I want to see how they fare in 4a first. No doubt parents believe he may be able to assist in their kids recruiting by just knowing the right people. During the youth playoffs for a summer league, parents spoke more about north side than ever. With recent coaching changes at Northrop the legends will see talented freshman and more transfers show up. If he can get those assistants in line the city may be in trouble..

[psaboy]

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets program on right track and is hired on as the head coach. That could be a major win for the Legends. Not many people in FWA carry that much football clout than Jaylon. 

[Justasportsfan]

16 minutes ago, psaboy said:

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets program on right track and is hired on as the head coach. That could be a major win for the Legends. Not many people in FWA carry that much football clout than Jaylon. 

Not many "solid" programs venture out n get a younger head coach either..Luers got blessed with coach k..what Bowen did at Northrop was an eye opener..if the Damon Bailey rule applies then fwcs schools may need to counter

[Sparty]

11 hours ago, SAC_Coach said:

Before people go crazy with what 23 just said. He is refering to this student situation and the responsibilities of adults surrounding it. The investigations are revealing many things inside of North Side. 

 

https://www.wane.com/top-stories/teenager-charged-as-an-adult-in-2-separate-rape-cases/

I understand the principal’s position.  Was this teenager on the football team?

Did Coach Johnson have a day job at the HS?

[Boilernation]

3 hours ago, psaboy said:

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets program on right track and is hired on as the head coach. That could be a major win for the Legends. Not many people in FWA carry that much football clout than Jaylon. 

That's why I was thinking about the transfers above. I get that North Side currently is a trendy place for transfers. But, it could always be better. Especially if you have celebrity coach cranking out D1 talent AND winning.

Interesting situation.

[Komets2727]

Bowen leaving before this season is something that was a little fishy as well. Northrop and Northrop Side had plenty of transfers for some unknown reason… well, maybe it’s known… 2+2=4, unless it equals 6…

[23andCounting]

At the end of the day, the new transfer rules have made things pretty messy. It's a free for all out there, the wild wild west. Building a program is now more challenging than ever with other coaches out there trying to poach the players you've spent time developing. A kid goes through the Luers program, gets developed, then Northrop or North Side get to enjoy the fruits of Luers labor. It's not right. It was a brain dead decision by the IHSAA. I'm not at all impressed with what Bowen did at Northrop. He brought in some high profile players and still almost lost to Snider's worst team ever last season in the playoffs.