Ken Salem Part 2

[MrHype]

Looks like I finally have some people that are starting to agree with me. Packers4 excellent post. Ken Salem is ruining McCort's academic reputation by catered to gifted athletes that have no desire to put in any effort, academically and athletically. A prime example of this is the former McCort D1 prospect who is not in college anymore, oh wait he never was in college because he was never academically eligable to play football. That my friends is on Ken Salem. He did not instill any discipline in this player. Also, he let him get away with things such as stealing clothing from students and even his own teammates and harrassing students and his own teammates. I could go on and on about this, but anyone who really knows anything about McCort knows about some of these things. Also, I am really disappointed with the play of Sheridan. He throws an interception right before halftime, while in field goal range and only being up by 14. That is horrible. He is supposed to be the senior captain. A threee year starter. He should be smarter than that. Nothing against Richland, but they are not a very good football team and for him to throw that pick such a joke. But what can I say? The guy who I think should be the quarterback for Bishop McCort is running cross country and doing quite well at it. But hey being good at track and cross country
doesn't mean you can play football like someone said in an earlier post, but lets not forget that Pete has been the leading scorer the last two years on the basketball team, the District 6 champion basketball team. But hey that doen't make him a good football player, it makes him a good athlete who could have been a good football player given the chance, but hey I am not a football coach, but i think I called the RIzzo thing pretty good. Look what has happened when he has touched the ball.


footballman4389, great post. Unlike many people, you are able to see obvious things that are right in front of you. Rizzo is a game breaker. why he is not used is a real real good question, maybe someone should email Salem and ask him to reply to this post. I like how you noticed that the only people that are really involved in the offense are Barbin Sheridan and Spangler.

psuwhiteandblue, you have no idea what you are talking about. Back in 2001, yes Arcurio did tear it up, but he passed to many different recievers. And overall, that year, there was no go to guy. They won because Arcurio did a good job of running the offense and could throw, but the main reason they were good was the play of the line. I, know I am right, and lets just say I was at every game that year, including one of Salem's worst games; the infamous Central loss

Here is a little excerpt from the tribune democrat:

“They have so much talent and size and speed and strength and all that good stuff, that they should probably never lose a football game and win the league every year,” Richland coach Brandon Bailey said.

nice quote from coach Baily. At first it seems as through he is giving McCort a compliment, but if you read between the lines, then its more of a dis and one directed at Salem. He is basically saying that with all of the talent McCort has, it is sad that they don't win districts every year or at least more than once. Oh and I think he is also implying that McCort should have beat Carroll, just like they should have a couple of other yearss.

[Opinionguy]

MrHype

I'm not sure if you are just a critical fan, or a unhappy parent. It sounds more like the latter.

That's beside the point though. There aren't a lot of HS coaches that do not use all of their given talent to the best it can be used. I think the main reason for that is trying to keep kids involved in the offense. To run a successful program, you have to get your numbers up, and if you are using the same kids in every formation, obviously you aren't getting many people involved.

On the same note, you need to get your best athletes involved as much as possible. There is a fine line there that has to be walked. If I was the Rizzo boy, I would talk to coach Salem on a personal level. Say "Hey Coach, it looks like I'm not gonna start at running back, can I try out for slot." Some may argue that is a coaches decision...but it never hurts to talk to a coach man to man and get his thoughts.

And if that doesn't work...remember, you sent your child to McCort. Transfer back to the Public School where you left!

[MrHype]

It's not about Rizzo or O'Conner or Bishop McCort losing to Bishop Carroll eight straight times. It's about what McCort is supposed to stand for. Coach Salem as a principal has let the standards of the school fall in recent years in regards to academics and conduct. He has a double standard in regards to certain people namely D1 athletes or people from a family of infulence. In all reality, football is not that important in terms of wins and losses in these kids lives, but instead football is supposed to teach these kids life lessons: hard work, discipline, persistance, dedication etc etc etc. I feel that Salem is not setting a good example for these kids by standing up for athletes such as Myron Coleman(if salem had his way he would still be at McCort) who embarrassed the school and Abdullah Wadley who turned his back on the team by quiting only to be let back on the team. That is not a good example. If Abdullah was not such a good athlete he would have never been let back on the team. If someone who say worked, was a good student but only a special teams player quit for whatever reason, but said he made a mistake and wanted back on the team, I sincerely believe that there is no way Salem would have let him back on the team. But wait, maybe Salem is trying to teach these kids a very very important lesson life isn't fair lol

As far as me believing that other kids should get some touches; Rizzo, Santichen, O'Conner etc etc. That can be considered an opinion and maybe I am wrong, maybe Salem will continue doing what he is doing and win D6. I guess time will tell. My main concern is that he is doing wrong by the students and Alumni of Bishop McCort, not because of his coaching decsions, but because of how he uses his influence of being principal inappropriately and in doing so is bringing down McCort and its reputation. And as an alumni of McCort I am embarrassed of what the school is becoming with him at the helm

[packers4]

McCort wins because they have more talent than almost anybody they face. If Salem ever matches up with somebody close to the talent level that he has, he will lose. He seems to make no adjustments at half time or during the course of a game.
As far as recruiting, how many football players go to school there on a "sponsorship"? Do they have any students that go there and get scholarships, oops sponsorships, based on their academic achievments or potential?
Try going there and asking for a sponsorship for your child who is a math or science whiz. No "sponsorships" available. But if he can run a 4.2 40 or is 6'4" 250 then there might be some money available.
Sponsorship money is available to somebody who can be a star on the football team, not basketball or baseball or softball or cheerleading or band... just football. And if you're a star, or if your parents can afford to make a serious donation that will be used for the football team, you can get away with anything.
With all this going for them, don't you think they would win the LH, D6 and advance deep into the state playoffs every year? BM football is just a lot of hype. They are competitive around the area, but that's it.

[crush62]

Okay, why all the talk about Occonnor? He quit the team, he has no idea if he would have got playing time because he quit. And as far as playing over Spangler what a joke, Pete is a very good basketball player & decent at track but anyone who has seen him play football would agree he's average at best. Comparing him to Spangler is like apples to oranges. Pete quit instead of fighting for a position why hit on the coach? Pete could have stayed at North Star, but didn't like the Basketball coach. I think its time to move on.....

[Opinionguy]

Ouch

[MrHype]

Of course Pete quit the team. He saw the hand writing on the wall, he was never gonna get a shot at playing and not because he was not good enough. And yes right now at this momment in time, Spangler is better way better, but that is only because of experience. And in reality I really was not trying to say that Pete is better than any of these guys. I am trying to say that if he had a chance, he would have contributed to the team and helped them win games. I personally think that Pete is/would have been better, but he never had a real chance to show what he had so I guess we will never know.

My real gripe in a nut shell is
1) with many different stunts he has pulled which I am not going to elaborate on because if you truly know about McCort and/or know people involved with McCort you know of these stunts, he has sent the wrong message to McCort students

2) He has a tremendously talented team this year, as with many other years, and he just does not win the big game for whatever reason. In 10 or is it 11 years, only one D6 championship with the talent he has had. Like someone said on here, not too many banners hanging up for McCort football. I do not care how many times he has been to the D6 game or how many times he has beaten Forest Hills. Besides the only forest hills wins that mean anything are the 1999 and 2001 win. That year Forest Hills had some dang good teams and McCort beat them. Any other year they beat FH they just out talented them. And the years they lost too forest hill, they lost bad!!!

Ken Salem is not a good football coach, he is a very average football coach, he is a good "recruiter" and a somewhat good motivater, and great politician(bull-shitter).

[Opinionguy]

Sounds to me like we got a guy from McCort here who finially knows (and admits) what the frick goes on down at the Holiest of them All

BTW...I'm crediting the 99 & 01 wins opver FH to Joe Aurcurio...He made some BIG TIME throws and reads in both of those games...and I feel if it wasn't for him...That Mccort football banner would be bare hanging in the gym.

[Opinionguy]

Nice try Username. But offensively you have 5 count em...5 out of 5 kids who can go on to play college football in your skill positions. And not to UPJ College Football either. Whether they will or not is another matter, the talent is there.

And that is not even counting your linemen...I don't know their names off hand but I would guess at least 2 or 3 can play at the next level.

Hard Nosed...sounds like the opposite of what your all great and mighty head coach was telling the whole Johnstown area on the News after the BC game...that his team "just makes excuses"

Try again.

[packers4]

username6, last year they did and they still couldn't beat BC or go far in the playoffs. And how many teams have they played over the last few years that had DIV 1A recruits- 1 0r 2.

Cut me a break. For all the hype about their program, the money they spend on recruits and the money the school spends on football, they have little or anything to show for it.

Don't get me wrong, if you're in over at Holy High, you're in, but you better have $$$ or be a great, not good, great athlete. If you have the $$ or the talent, you can do whatever you want and you'll be protected. If not, you're screwed