Valdosta High, nation’s winningest football program, will not renew contract of head coach
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Valdosta High School, which has the nation’s winningest football program, will not be welcoming back its head coach for next season.
Valdosta dropped a 57-15 decision to crosstown rival Lowndes last weekend. Wildcats coach Rick Tomberlin was told late Tuesday his contract would not be renewed for the 2010 season by Valdosta City Schools Superintendent Bill Cason, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
“I’m in shock,” Tomberlin told the Valdosta newspaper. “I did everything I could do here. I’ve never worked harder in my life. I haven’t missed many days of school. I’ve made some wonderful friends here. A lot of people have been very kind to me. I think I’m leaving (the program) a lot better than it was when I got here.”
Tomberlin was given the option of resigning immediately or finishing out the season. He has decided to stay on with the Wildcats, who are 4-3 and still have a chance of earning a berth in the Class AAAAA playoffs. Tomberlin’s dismissal still must go through several other steps, including a vote by the board of education. However, the rest of the process is considered to be a mere formality.
“I want to finish the season … I don’t want to quit on my kids. I owe it to them, and love them, and I want to see them through whatever happens, whether it’s the end of the regular season, or the end of the playoffs, whether it’s three games, five games, eight games, whatever the case may be,” Tomberlin told the Valdosta paper.
“I’m really going to work hard these next three games. Nothing’s going to change. I’m going to help these kids all I can with scholarships and colleges.”
Tomberlin is 19-20 at Valdosta, including a 1-9 mark in his first season at the school in 2006. Tomberlin was hired away from Washington County, where he coached for 14 years and won three state championships.
Since 1913, Valdosta has won six mythical national championships and 23 state championships. The Wildcats have an overall record of 838 wins, 191 losses and 34 ties.
So what do YOU think? Did Valdosta pull the trigger too soon on Tomberlin? Or do you think he had already been given a fair chance to prove his value?
And will Valdosta — which won its last state championship in 1998 — ever be able to return to its glory days?
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245 comments Add your comment
EagleNationRising
October 14th, 2009
11:19 am
Stop The Madness: At most Georgia high schools, the athletic director and football coach are the same guy.
Why is it any different for a Booster Club member to demand a voice than a property tax payer having a voice on scholl curriculum or a bus schedule. You do not have to be an expert in an area to have a voice, especially if you provide funding for that activity. For example, you pay for schools if you own a home. Therefore, you have a voice. If one funds an athletic program, that person has a voice.
It should not be the only voice because a football coach is more than just a football coach. That person should fit well with other teachers and be on the same page as the administration as a leader at the school. Boosters can not determine that. The people in the school should determine that. However, the Valdosta Touchdown Club should be a part of the solution.
Valdosta is losing to more teams than just Lowndes County. Valdosta is losing all over the region.
blazerdawg
October 14th, 2009
11:20 am
Some of these comments about Valdosta as a community and school just do not ring true. I am a native and resident of North Georgia, but spent some time in Valdosta and really appreciated the folks and atmosphere down there. The town is friendly, clean, and relatively progressive. They do have some rabid high school fans, but their success has always been due to their hard work and the unique makeup of the town. Hope both the Vikings and Wildcats have success in the future.
dagrapevine
October 14th, 2009
11:21 am
the head coach back to bazemore days has always had a review of the last game with fans.the vtdc provides this by covering the cost,however the public is invited.all vtdc members pay $20.00 a year for a membership.its a community oriented club.no 1000./500./100./50. dollar
members.greene resigned over issues he was told to address and he didnt.o’brien was named ad/hc after an interim season in 96 the year hyder died.same as with greene and those issues where non-football related.tomberlin’s correct record by season is 06/1-9,07/9-3,08/5-5 09/4-3 and its a backdoor chance to make the play-offs.the issue for the supt. and the vboe is revenue for all athelectics and football is the only sport that pays for its self.with the potential of missing the play-offs 3 out of 4 years the gate is way down and the cost for other sports will be hard to cover.parents may have to cover the cost to help out with the exspence like purchase extra balls.several viking coaches who will remain nameless say valdosta has great talent and shouldnt be struggling like they have been.tomberlin is a nice guy and needed to shake up his offensive staff.he was told whoever and whatever he needed in coaches or equipment it would be provived.he stated he had the coaches and the players to compete for a state title in 09/10.
now you make the call.darlington inherited a loaded team in 03 with a roster of 86 players.tomberlin inherited 53 players his first year with 11 of them being seniors.in 03 vhs 9th grade team drilled every one that year including the lhs bunch who went on to win 2 state titles.when darlington left only 11 where still there and only 3 that mattered.he ran the rest off.
to suggest bazmore and hyder who where two men with great integrity lied,cheated and stole talent to win shows your lack of respect for two of the greatest coaches of all time.they could just flat out coach most anyone on a friday nite regardless of talent.coaching matters just ask alabama since they hired saban or colquitt co. since they hired prosbt.look what both have done in 2 seasons.btw in the 50’s and 60’s valdosta was a aa school playing up in aaa and won 12 state and 2 natl titles.if coaching dont matter and its the size of your school with some talent why dont collins hill dominate 5a?how many region/state titles have they won?
SportsFan31313
October 14th, 2009
11:33 am
I’m sorry that this had to come to to the firing of Rick Tomberlin, but I really Rick knew what he was getting himself into when he signed the contract to become Head Coach for such a School with a winning tradition. A school with a great fan base, and big time community involvement.
I don’t no where in the State of Georgia that such a strong support system as the one held in Valdosta. Don’t get me wrong, they are some good ones but they are not as strong as the one you have in Valdosta , Lowndes County Georgia.We all know that in the State Of Georgia, that football is not just a sport, but it is Big Business as it bring a heck of a lot of revenue to the County and the School System, and if you don’t know, you had better wake up and smell the Coffee. Rick got caught up in the Political Game where you have absolutely no permanent friends and no permanent enemies.
But I will tell you what? I like Rick Tomberlin, and he can Damn sure come to Region 3-AAAAA Bradwell Institute o coach there because the same thing is cooking quietly in Hinesville, and my goodness, don’t we need him there. The present Coach does not have the intensity to get the new kids to respond to his methods, and it is sad. Bradwell Institute use to Dominate this Region, and since he has been there, the results have been substandard, and the win loss record have been inconsistent or just mediocre.
Over they years, times have changed, and the friendship system of who you know does not work any longer. You have to put up results when you take on a job such as this, and no that a lot of things that you may not like, comes with the territory.
Stop The Madness
October 14th, 2009
11:36 am
The difference is EagleNationRising is that football like all other athletic activity is extra curriculum. It is not mandatory for my child to play sports but it is mandatory for my child to attend school. High school sports in general is all voluntary. It is not a necessity. It gives the kid something to do but not all high schools paly football. SO when you try to compare my having a say in the school curriculum to a kid playing football you are way off base and furhter strengthen my poit that TD booster clubs are nothing more than a group of wanna bes with money who THINK they are important but in the big picture really are not. Remember. Football is just a game and trying to control a high school program shows you have a lot of growing up to do. You guys are fanatics which is Fanatic and zealot both suggest excessive or overweening devotion to a cause or belief. Fanatic further implies unbalanced or obsessive behavior: a wild-eyed fanatic. Zealot, only slightly less unfavorable in implication than fanatic, implies single-minded partisanship: a tireless zealot for tax reform. Militant stresses vigorous, aggressive support for or opposition to a plan or ideal and suggests a combative stance. Thats how you guys look to the rest of the football world.
AFAN
October 14th, 2009
11:36 am
Come-on…anyone that doesn’t think Valdosta did a little stretching of the rules in it’s hay-day are crazy…I’m not saying the coaches cheated but when large numbers of 8th graders were held back because their parents did not think they were mature enough to go to high school…and, i’m pretty sure all those players were not born and raised in Valdosta…I’m just saying
jamlock
October 14th, 2009
11:46 am
thug and drug central…………hahahahahaha
BrookFan
October 14th, 2009
11:53 am
Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of inbred white people who hang on to the past like a life preserver. A life preserver for their fetid, inbred, yellow lives (hence the yellow stripes in that Valdosta cartoon uniform). This ain’t the colored folk – believe me.
Most of the obnoxious bozos in the Valdosta fan base are the ones who can “remember when”. These clowns are NEVER going to have what they had THIRTY YEARS AGO (the eighties is a long time ago).
Cheer up, Whinersville, you look good bein’ losers.
james mcrae
October 14th, 2009
12:03 pm
Rick get your bags and move on, vhs is living in the 1900 er. you will get a great job some where.
DogDawg
October 14th, 2009
12:04 pm
How about hiring Mike Bobo?
Mark
October 14th, 2009
12:05 pm
I think Valdosta pulled the trigger a little early on this one. They have to realize that most of the talent has shifted over to Lowdnes. Its just like all the old power houses such as Parkview. When they are constantly building new schools and taking kids from their old school zones. Most of the talent is gonna choose to go where the new program is. Camden County remains a powerhouse because there is no in town rivalry to compete with them for athletes. This is the situation Valdosta used to be in. When and if they build a new school to lower the over crowding population then they will be faced with this problem just like Valdosta, Parkview, and any other old powerhousesTomberlin has proven that he is a good coach. If he can’t win a state championship in Valdosta, then it ain’t many people can.
reality check
October 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
IT is obvious. VHS is out, the new is Blue Ray or DVD!
K
October 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
They fired the last guy that won a state title…if he wasn’t good enough, then nobody will be…do you really think a coach can come in and produce a winner knowing that anything short of a state title will have him looking for another job in exactly 4 years. Valdosta doesn’t want a coach, they want a mercenary that will win at all cost. It’s funny that nowhere have I read anything about the kids and the impact that it has on them…just about there talent level…apparently if they don’t win championships they don’t matter either! It’s sad…karma just might be the reason Valdosta won’t ever be what it once was….just a thought.
Check Your Fire, Check Your Fire...
October 14th, 2009
12:22 pm
Eagle Nation Rising @ 10:03,
You’ve hit on an immutable problem with Valdosta High School. Clearly VHS has coaching problems, but it also clearly has demographic problems – not enough high quality white athletes. VHS has the Vick-syndrome – too many black athletes that quit too easily. VHS needs to hire a black coach who can turn them into the next Monroe HS (Dougherty County) or Albany HS or Dougherty County HS or,…well, you get the picture.
Get used to losing, Winnersville.
AFAN
October 14th, 2009
12:25 pm
My earlier post was a little tongue in cheek…it is easy to see that the coaches hired were not losers…so why did they suddenly become losers when they got to VHS.
The way I see it…they have all had great success in their careers…they take a well paying job at one of if not the most storied programs in the country…they show up on campus and begin to install the culture that has made them successful everywhere they have ever coached…then someone gets bent out of shape because one of the coaches culture changes (whatever that might be) fly’s against a tradition that has been practiced for years at Valdosta…then one of the “Big Boosters” has a little sit-down with the coach…the coach makes a few adjustments and tries to make everyone happy…then he installs the offense that he knows backwards and forwards…it sputters a little in the spring game because the kids are struggling to pick up the new system, and of course the D always comes along faster, the coach knows this to be true…but again some of the boosters start talking around town and shooting emails back and forth and then again one of the “Big Boosters” has a sit down with coach…this trend continues week in and week out…”why would coach call that play”, “the boys look slow, what kind of conditioning program does this coach run”, “Johnny was a stud in little league, why is coach sitting him on the bench”, on and on…now the coach has made 20 little changes to the system that has made him successful…and the worst part, and this is the most important part, the coach begins to question himself and his system and his staff…quietly at night he wonders if his success at the other schools was lack of competition or loaded with talent or whatever.
To compound this problem…the players are told at home around the dinner table and out in the community that their coach doesn’t have what it takes…that he does not understand the Valdosta way…and after hearing and reading this over and over players (16, 17 and 18 year old kids) lose confidence in their coach…and that’s why they quit in the middle of the game…they just don’t believe (why would they, the parents, uncles and neighbors told them they are playing for a loser)
Now I realize that this happens at every school to a certain degree…but Valdosta has taken it to a new level…I bet O’brien is laughing his head off.
AFAN
October 14th, 2009
12:26 pm
Sorry that was a re-post…I don’t know how that happened
reality..
October 14th, 2009
12:28 pm
Yes you have to have some talent, but it’s all about development, coaching, talent and winning with what u have. What about Brookwood with all that talent and very few get college scholarships and now with the daddy ball going on losing games that they have the talent to win. You need to develop your youth player and 3 years aren’t enough to do that unless of course you start paying players to play for you. (Brookwood) lol…If you can’t coach, then do like Crews has done with his staff ..turn your nose up at everyone else and blame your kids.. cause daddy ball doesn’t win.. .think about it…..
Check Your Fire, Check Your Fire...
October 14th, 2009
12:31 pm
AFAN,
Any coach, ANYWHERE, gets second guessed – nothing new there. You have to stay with what works, if it works. If it doesn’t, you better adjust.
Valdosta is an increasingly polarized town in a modern age. Welcome to Whinersville.
Mutley
October 14th, 2009
12:43 pm
EagleNationRising is exactly right. Tomberlin was and is a good AAA or AA coach where the team only needs a few plays and a few stars. He is just not capable of winning at the AAAAA level against good programs. Look at the games against Colquitt County (Rush Probst) NSWR (Conrad Nix) and of course Lowndes (Randy McPherson).
UGAKev {true dawg fan}
October 14th, 2009
12:49 pm
This coach can coach. You don’t win 3 state titles on pure luck. That region he is in is probably the toughest region in the state. You put any one of the top teams from another region in that region and they would probably piss on themselves. That region is like the SEC.
Steve
October 14th, 2009
12:53 pm
Hire him at Forsyth Central NOW! 0-6 and deserve it. Sorry but true! The Forsyth County high schools have all struggled, especially within the district they play in. Can’t touch the Gwinnett or private school’s, in , can barely score.
yo
October 14th, 2009
1:13 pm
Well then ENR your logic leads me to this conclusion.
It was pretty obvious to me watching and seeing the Northside team that Northside is more talented than Valdosta overall. Much bigger along the line of scrimmage and just as fast. So tell me how it is that Valdosta’s soon to be ex coach out coached Nix in the game against Northside. Valdosta would have won except for all of those missed field goals.
Was it Tomberlins fault he had a hurt player for a kicker? NO!
So with a healthy kicker your coach was simply out coached by Tomberlin.
Don’t give me this poo poo Northside won. Northside won despite your coach letting his much more physical team get out played.
Northside won because despite being outcoached by Tomberlin a normally sure footed kicker had a bad game due to an injury.
A more physical Northside should have dominated the cats.
Whodat
October 14th, 2009
1:16 pm
Two words, Welton Coffee!! Offensive Coordinator @ Camden Co. Coached Raines HS to a state championship in FL.
Dacula
October 14th, 2009
1:18 pm
ATL DAWG: Why the venom? I said that I didn’t know how much talent Valdosta has. I don’t even know if Rick Tomberlin is a good coach. I said coaching is overrated and you act like I kicked your dog. If that is not a true statement that I made, then how did Tomberlin win all of those titles at Washington County? If he is as inept as you say, then all of those state championships at Washington County were won by they players. Refer back to what I said: The coaching was overrated.
faboom
October 14th, 2009
1:27 pm
The same thing that is happening here happened to Coach O’brian just a few years ago, although O’b only lost 3 games and was given the boot. Valdosta is obviously more worried about winning than who is more talented. Lowndes entire team is full of extremely talented kids and this was a building year for Valdosta.
Haiku-575
October 14th, 2009
1:46 pm
Listen Valdosta –
Don’t try to hire Coach “Devo”
He stays in Griffin !!
tchr
October 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
If the economy fixes, and Lowndes is able to go through with plans to build a new high school, Valdosta’s football problem will fix itself. The plan has Lowndes building a school to compete in something like AAA division, splitting off about 1000 students from LHS. Valdosta’s problem with academic competition is yet another problem. After all, isn’t that where the focus should lie at the high school level? It seems to me that the coach is hired as a teacher at this level, and his primary job is to build men for the future. Being a man is not always about winning. Many who comment here, and who had a hand in this very ugly public display of timing in Tomberlin’s firing, seem to live just as Al Bundy – trudging day in and day out at their minimum wage job in their minmally substantial lives while reliving for decades their one pinacle of success, a touchdown in the big game. Let’s put teaching back into high school, and leave the emphasis on winning to the pros.
Roland
October 14th, 2009
2:14 pm
All I remember is the fact that he refused to shake the coach of MLK’s hand after they beat them in the playoffs couple years ago.
norman
October 14th, 2009
2:18 pm
Rick Tomberlin can retire at the end of the year and collect a teacher’s retirement pension of over $65,000 per year (based on the last two years as a head coach). He can get also a head coaching position at a private school with additional pay. So don’t feel too sad for Rick.
Buck Belue
October 14th, 2009
2:19 pm
Why don’t we go ahead and blow up Bazemore-Hyder field? While we’re at it, why don’t we dig up Nick Hyder and then fire him? Heckfire, let’s just smelt down every Valdosta High state championship ring in existence to a gold bar and present it to the Vikings?
Seriously, folks. How about supporting your coach. I know for a fact that it’s not the coaching staff’s fault on this one. How do I know this? Well, I played quarterback at Valdosta High 30 years ago, yall. Guess what? I also won a national championship at the University of Georgia. Have you ever won a national championship? Didn’t think so.
Why don’t we cool it with the “hang’m high” mentality and give this coach the opportunity he deserves. I can promise you, if my name isn’t Buck Belue, that the Cats will rebound from the unprecedented mauling they suffered at the hands of their hated rivals. I promise you they’ll make it to the playoffs. And I promise you they’ll lose by less than 4 touchdowns to the next Johnny Come Lately Atlanta school in the first round.
Trust me on this, yall. I played quarterback at the university of Georgia.
Matt Smith
October 14th, 2009
2:28 pm
Titletown Baby! We will be back!
EagleNationRising
October 14th, 2009
2:29 pm
Yo, that is the difference between the Conrad Nix’s (Northside), Jeff Herron’s (Camden County), Randy McPherson’s (Lowndes County), and Cecil Flowe’s (Parkview) of the world and what Rick Tomberlin has done at Valdosta. The aforementioned coaches get it done.
Believe it or not, there was a movement at Northside High School to get rid of Conrad Nix after the State Championship loss to Statesboro in 2005. The guy had won nearly 90% of his games and the chatter around Warner Robins and much of the state of Georgia was that Conrad Nix could not win the “big one.”
I found that chatter to be absurd since Nix had gone 10-2 on bad years and was regular reaching the quarterfinals or better. I would have honestly been shocked if Valdosta did not fire a 19-20 coach.
As for Northside’s score against Valdosta, I am not certain that Valdosta does not have more talent. We Northside posters have told all of you guys that our team is very, very young. Go to the GPTV archive of the Northside-Lowndes County game. The announcers are constantly talking about sophomores making plays. Northside can lose on any Friday due to inexperience. Valdosta competed, but Valdosta lost. That is the difference between guys like Nix and Tomberlin (@ Valdosta). I stress at Valdosta because Rick Tomberlin has a record that no one can take away from him and 3 State Championships at WaCo (Washington County).
Matt the Brave
October 14th, 2009
2:33 pm
What a bind they would be in if Valdosta High goes on a hot streak and wins the state championship. That would be the ultimate Whoops!
WTF VALDOSTA
October 14th, 2009
2:42 pm
Coach T was a great coach that has lead players to championships and college scholarships and professional carrers… the “big heads” at Valdosta that judge him on his recent seasons are just stupid….they couldnt do a better job than he has…yea he has not been very succesfull there but he has been dedicated and has coach his kids the same way as he has when he lead his former players to championships and college and professional carrers…its just a high school program and it takes years to rebuild a program that hasnt been succesful in recent years…i hope that god blessing him with a winning season and for him to make it to the playoffs or even take him to a championship just to make a fool out of the “big heads” that has judged him… come on Valdosta its just high school not college or professional level and yall will just contiune to go through coaches after coaches if yall dont give one a reasonable chance..his 4-3 not 0-7 and theres games left to be played
Beautiful Monte
October 14th, 2009
2:43 pm
As one poster mentioned, you don’t win the Kentucky Derby on a mule, but the folks who imply that coaching is basically irrelevant are out of their ever-loving minds.
If you don’t believe me, look at some of the Atlanta-area schools – SW DeKalb and Stephenson are two that come to mind – that are LOADED with athletes every season … and yet, how many state championships have THEY won? Heck, even Meadowcreek had SEVEN D-I players a few years ago – and still finished 0-10.
As far as Tomberlin is concerned, you don’t win three state titles at ANY level in Georgia if you’re a buffoon. Having said that, it’s important to remember that when Lowndes fired Tomberlin and Waco hired him, he walked into an absolute goldmine of talent in Sandersville with Robert Edwards, Terrence Edwards, Jessie Miller, et al.
Obviously, a lot of coaches could have won at Waco with that kind of talent, but Tomberlin deserves some credit for not screwing it up.
crash001
October 14th, 2009
2:49 pm
I know the perfect coach for Valdosta – Stephenson High School coach Ron Gartrell should apply for the job.
PEACHES LEE
October 14th, 2009
2:53 pm
2 WHOM IT MAYYYY CONCERN..GOD HAS A PLAN 4 EACH N EVERYONE OF US.SO…SPEAKIN IN BEHALF OF THE HAWK’S NEST,COACH T. HAS MADE MORE THAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HIS LIFETIME HE HAS CREATED CHAMPIONS ON & OFF THE FIELD.AND IN MY OPINION IT IS SAD THAT PEOPLE CAN BE HONEST BUT YET SO CRUEL…BUT HEY IT IS WHAT IT IS!!MY FATHER..COACH FRANK LEE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A SITUATION AS THIS BUT HE IS WELL KNOWN FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE AND DOING AS OF TODAY BEING A WARRIOR FOR OUR YOUTH THROUGH OUT THESE YEARS AND WILL STILL CONTINUE LIKE COACH T.SO YOU MAY TRY TO TEAR HIM DOWN BUT HE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US SO PLEASE BE MINDFUL WITH YOUR COMMENTS.AND FOR COACH T..WE STILL LUV U AND DARRIUS LEE (MY SON) SAID YOU WILL BE IMPORTANT IN HIS LIFE NO MATTER WHAT! THE SKY IS THA LIMIT!!
leigh
October 14th, 2009
2:55 pm
I am so sick of everyone wanting to place blame on a coach. Attention over expectant parents: YOUR KIDS ARE NOT THAT GREAT.
AVikingFan
October 14th, 2009
3:04 pm
The last reported high school attendance numbers for the State of Georgia was the March 2009 FTE numbers. Lowndes had 2746 students, Valdosta High School had 1933 students. (1850 or more put schools in AAAAA for the past 2 years)
The October 2009 FTE numbers will soon be published. Beginning the next school year it will take 1900 or more students to be in AAAAA. This will hold true for the next 2 years. Schools can continue to play up, but they can’t play down.
Fot those who question the disparity in size between Lowndes and Valdosta, you now have the official numbers.
Reeze
October 14th, 2009
3:10 pm
Sorry to see Tomberlin go out that way , his Waco teams were some of the best ever……..I watched his Valdosta teams over the last four and often thought to myself ….this isn’t the coach Tomberlin of Waco that I was seeing….. Unlike his Waco teams ,His Valdosta teams lacked intensity , and the will to win , and I agree with ENR ,Valdosta flat out quit vs Northside in 2008 , players and coaches……….Valdosta has just as much or more talent than any in Region – 1 , so don’t go there……Tomberlin ,I know is a good coach ,but not at Valdosta…..It’s a good move fot Rick and the Wildcats.
K
October 14th, 2009
3:12 pm
Check Your Fire, Check Your Fire… So that’s you answer.too many black atheletes! You sir should be banned from ever posting again…those comments were ignorant and totally inappropriate….some of you nameless faceless people have a lot of courage behind a keyboard…that’s just horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!I AM TRULY DONE HERE!
Tider4VAD
October 14th, 2009
3:15 pm
Maybe the VAD booster club can come up with $4.5 -$5.0 Million and Nick Saben will restore the program.
jim
October 14th, 2009
3:18 pm
To Norman: Look again. Teachers have to complete 30 years of service to retire. He has three more years before he can retire, and a high school teacher retirement check NEVER reaches $65,000/year. I have colleagues retiring after this year after thirty plus years of service, and have ended their years with two consecutive years at over $65,000. Their monthly check will be less than $3000 per month. Granted, I imagine there are plenty of schools out there who will be willing to hire a winner at his current state mandated pay scale plus whatever their stipend for coaching might be, but I promise you he won’t retire on $65,000 per year of teacher retirement funds.
Michael Carvell
October 14th, 2009
3:20 pm
No, not surprised at all with Valdosta’s decision. They have an established history of cutting coaches loose who do not meet their expectations, especially in recent years. Rick Tomberlin is a very good coach who knew exactly what he was getting into at Valdosta. He knew this could happen. It did, and I’m sure he will not have a problem finding another head coaching job next year in the state.
#1 Viking Fan
October 14th, 2009
3:21 pm
TO ENR & GRAYSON fans…….Rumor has it that Coach Nix and Coach Conn are the leading candidates for VALDOSTA. They are going to offer more money then your cheap systems can pay
EagleNationRising
October 14th, 2009
3:22 pm
AVikingFan: Thank you for that information. Would you mind posting the link? I can’t believe that people are actually pretending that Valdosta is at an enrollment disadvantage as a AAAAA program. It is absolute propaganda!
Is there any person that can tell us what Rick Tomberlin was making at Valdosta? For all the Tomberlin sympathists out there, I would love for someone from down in Valdosta to help us out and tell us exactly what he is making. My guess is he makes enough money at Valdosta for his program to expect more than 19 wins in 39 games.
bobby
October 14th, 2009
3:30 pm
My family lived in Brooks County in 1965. My dad left my mother when I was quite young. I was starting my junior year playing fullback at Brooks County high when Coach Bazemore offered my mother a job and a place to live in Valdosta just so I could play football for his team. Unfortunately, I hurt my back my senior year and couldn’t complete the year. There were plenty of families who were recruited to VHS football.
EagleNationRising
October 14th, 2009
3:33 pm
OK, #1 Viking Fan. Thank you for the information. Conrad Nix (Northside) or Mickey Conn (Grayson) at Valdosta would be Lowndes County’s worst nightmate. I am so happy that we have placed the entire Lowndes County Viking fanbase solely against Northside High School. We all know that you are Grayson-haters. That is what we do to programs like Lowndes County. It is funny because there were a myriad of posters from Tift County, Valdosta, and Lowndes County proclaiming that Northside had so many lessons to learn in Region 1-AAAAA.
Region 1-AAAAA is not very different than any other region Northside plays in. We own it! We have already cost Rick Tomberlin his job and way of life. Bryan Way is barely holding on to employment at Warner Robins HS. One more 2009 season in Tifton and Jay Walls will be getting unemployment benefits from Tift County. Boy, oh boy. You South Georgia boys have really shown us at Northside.
#1VikingFan: Lowndes County fanbase is better than all of this Northside Eagle hating. I once thought it was Grayons posters. I know you guys hate the Grayson Rams and Mickey Conn for exposing the real Lowndes County. The Vikings are afraid of Grayson! Heck, the Vikings are so SUSPECT outside of Martin Stadium. I can not imagine the beatdown that Lowndes is going to take when they hit the road in the 2nd round of the state playoffs.
While you are talking crazy about Conrad Nix leaving Northside, you better hope that Randy McPherson does not leave and go to Valdosta HS and put the Vikings in the back seat again. If you keep talking, Northside is going to put your little program back in the trunk!
EagleNationRising
October 14th, 2009
3:35 pm
Michael Carvell: If I am Rick Tomberlin, I take a coaching job in metro Atlanta where the competition is weak and the hitting is soft.
AVikingFan
October 14th, 2009
3:49 pm
Roland – that coach refusing to shake hands after the game I believe was Darlington, not Tomberlin.