Wonder what that's all about? Reading the softball articles in the ENE, it was apparent there were personality problems between management and the players. Wonder if some parents got involved? Hope the program can do a quick turnaround, and save the season.

Any news? My impression was that the coach and players were not on the same page...nobody was happy...is this close?

This person probably has no business in the coaching prefession or perhaps even the the teaching profession. Public criticism and ridicule have no beneficial effect on the performance of an athletic team but they can create tension and displeasure. Sports at the high school and college level were originally created for fun, that is why they are call extra curricular. This particular coach was creating nothing positive. One of the best players from last year chose not to play this year and there were others who were considering not playing but utlimately did. Therefore the problems between coach and players are not new. I've coached with a couple of guys that tried operate like this. They did not last log in the profession as they did not have the people skills to be succesful. A coach needs to realize that he or she is a member of the team, just as the players are and that negativism just breeds more negativism. The comment "not coachable" only means that the coach does not know how to coach. The person may have the technical expertise but without the correct attitude torward the players that does not make that person a coach.

Sorta exactly as I thought...bet there was a lot of tension in the air. Too bad they are missing a good player...at this point all hands would be welcome and needed.

Sometimes "not coachable" means just that. Kids think they know it all or know better than the coach, especially now days when parents think their kids are perfect or do no wrong.

Sometimes the coach knows what it takes to get a kid to the next level in their sport because they have been there themselves, either as a player or a coach.

In this day and age, when kids do no wrong in their parents eyes and the parents defend to the end, it doesn't really help the kids.

I have no inside softball knowledge, so this is not necessarily about this situation. It does appear to be happening more and more though.

I'm completely in the dark about what went down...someone fill me in and give me the "Cliff's Notes" version.

Coach makes comment in paper "kids are not coachable" parents get mad, get a petition. No guts AD terminates coach mid season.

Anyone notice how Summer Baseball Legion Coach Jensen is now coaching softball for the first time?

Sooner,

There may be more to this story but that's all I know.

Was never sure if AD worked for EPS or was employed by Advance to run the ball park...perhaps both?

Well, I can see why they relieved him of his duties if that was what he said. Whether its true or not is irrelevant. Its tacky and unprofessional.

Now, saying that in private is another thing. Some kids just don't listen to authority. And baseballmom is right. When you see a bad kid, you only have to look as far as the mother and father to understand why they are that way.

This has been brewing for a couple of years. There were several starting players who contemplated not participating in the program this year because of the situation. There was one starter from last year that did not return and there were others who changed their mind during the summer as they realized that they might not have the opportunity to play on at a true competitive level again. There was also the pressure of playing for the school.

Ridicule and criticism, especially public criticism, will never make a coach succesful. Actually, the same could be said about being a successful parent.

It would appear the program has been turned around...the players seem to be enjoying themselves, and their record has certainly improved. I may be wrong, but congrats to both coaches and players for making the sport fun again...as it should be.

Having attended Enid High, Coach Long was different than all the other coaches while I was there. He was a good guy and well liked by everyone. I'm hard pressed to remember any other coaches that were even close to him. There might have been one or two that I just didn't get to know.

I read that their season has ended, but what a wonderful turnaround for this program. Hope Coach Long returns...the girls seem to enjoy playing for him, and I suspect the future looks bright for coming seasons. Congrats to all!

A much happier group of young women at the end compared to the begining. Perhaps the there will be a larger group out next year and some of those that passed up the season this year will return.

On another note, I believe that current AD has stepped into another role and there will be some kind of dual ADs for the athletic programs.