Ken Salem

[MrHype]

With Saturday's loss, Ken Salem is now 0-8 against the BC Huskies. How long is it going to take him to beat the Huskies. Bishop McCort has had all these big time prospects, yet they always lose to the Huskies. My question is: is it Salem's fault for all these loses? Is he a bad coach? Or is Sponsky just that much better of a coach? I personally think that Salem is not a bad coach, but he is not a good coach. He needs to stop worrying about politics and start playing to win. I do not think that he plays the players that deserve to play, but instead plays the players that need to play in order for Bishop McCort to continue to raise money for football and the school. He plays the players that appease the big time money donors, whether it is the son, neighbor, cousin, grandson, nephew etc. of a substantial big money guy or person with politcal connections, he plays that person. I am not saying that he plays scrubs because they have connections. I am saying that if there is a talent gap, as long as it is not too big, he will play the player who isn't not as good if they have connections. Also, he will make sure that they get these connected individuals the ball as much as possible. Maybe I am crazy for this conspiracy theory. Maybe he just isn't that good of a coach or maybe I am right. People please tell me what you think. Am I crazy or am I making a good point?

Also, what is up with the Abdullah kid quiting and Salem letting him back on the team. That is ridiculous. What kind of message does that send? I would never want somebody on my team who would turn his back on the team like that. If he was not so selfish maybe they could have beaten BC. Also, I believe that Abdullah was one of the people on Myron Coleman's famous CD. The one that talked about having sex with the principal of McCort who happens to be a nun. I think the CD said that she likes big black D***s. But hey it is only a Catholic school who cares if they practice what they preach. It sends an excellent message letting a kid, who already has a questionable and who has embarrased the school in the past back on the team. I cannot wait to see what becomes of this situation.

P.S. when is Myron's new CD coming out? Is Abdullah gonna be on the new one too?

[Gunner18]

i wouldnt say that salem gets outcoached, but rather outrecruited :lol:

[MrHype]

Well, the first person to come to mind who does not play enough is not even on the team anymore. Pete O'Conner, great athlete track basketball, all around. He was the backup quaterback and should have been the starter. He quit this year because they promised that since he did not start at quarterback he could get time at wide reciever. Well he never got a chance at WR. I cannot believe that Salem could not find a way to use him he won Districts in track (300 hurdles I believe and did well in the 110's) Frank Rizzo deserves to get the ball more. He is the fastest kid on the team and has the most avg yards per carry, but yet he only touches the ball maybe 4 times a game. He never plays defense and does not return kicks. Eric Santichen was getting screwed over earlier in the year but now he is starting. They throw the ball to Spangler way to much while they should be getting the ball to the one Terchanick and some other guys. It's all not a matter of people starting who should not start, but guys getting the ball too much. Barbin gets the ball way to much. I believe he might have more carries than Forcellini(sp) that is obsurd. They need to get the ball to other people. There are more examples but off of the top of my head I cannot think of them. Also, Pete should be the go to reciever this year but he no longer plays.

people give me your input

[Opinionguy]

I agree with both of you here.

I think Salem could do a better job using some people at different places. I tend to think that Barbin, Rizzo, and Spangler are McCort's three best athletes. Why should they ever come off the field on offense. Line them up at slot, split backs, put one at wide out, do something, but keep your best athletes in the game and for goodness sakes get them the ball.

User said it right when he said speed equals potential. You think Brad Kanuch is the best football player in this area..heck no. He is good, but not the best by far. Recruits see his speed and think they can teach him some football in college and maybe he'll turn into a super star. You can't teach speed.

Realize though that McCort has never beena passing team. They are run first...hit you with the short passes to keep you honest. McCort will likely never be a pass first team as long as Kenny is at the helm. So passing first to open up the run...probably not going to happen.

Salem being a bad coach...centainly not. I wouldn't go as far to say he is a good coach though either. With the talent McCort has year in and year out he should trounce the competition. Yet, he manages to lose a few games each year, and is yet to win the LHAC.

[MrHype]

In Pete's case yes he is good at track, but you did not mention basketball. He is also en excellent basketball player and just an all around good athlete. If he could be that good in track and basketball then by all means there has to be something that he can contribute to the team that never beat Bishop Carroll. Come 0-8 against the same team. That is pathetic and the only common denominator is Ken Salem. Yet Ken said these kids had to grow up. Well, I guess all his players in the past eight years needed to grow up. Or maybe he just needs to grow up or at least grow as a coach.

[southpaw]

You can criticize Salem performance if you want but when was the last time McCort dominated the LHAC? I remember in '93 when Kryvetski (spp?) was the coach and he had Artrell Hawkins and that team ended up 7-3 I believe. McCort is very cometitive in the best conference in this part of the state and I think that's best you can hope for.

[Opinionguy]

If being competitive is your definition of success there Southpaw...then I guess he is a successful coach.

But if you view success in championships won...then that is another story. Especially when you consider what he has to work with year in and year out. I mean shoot, the pieces should naturally fall into place one year you would think.

I am not sure I liked Salem's choice of words after the BC game...but he was clearly frustrated. I think in growing up he meant that his team needs to get tougher. Which is a valid statement...if you are hoping to win a championship (which McCort was HEAVILY favored to do), then you best have a tough team. Frustration brings either the best or worst in us...

[ham55]

Bedford has 4 titles in 10 years for football... How many athletes does McCort get, and still have 0 titles to thier credit?

[southpaw]

I'm not saying Salem is getting all the mileage he can out of his team. Just saying nobody has at McCort that I can remember. Why is that?

[Opinionguy]

Something can be said about playing on a football field with the same kids you grew up with.

Kinda like fighting for your brothers in battle. If you believe that football is a battle for 48 minutes.

Not to compare football to real war like in Iraq...just figuratively speaking.