Let’s talk Dunwoody football: The ex-head coach, the new head coach, and future of the program
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Dunwoody has hired a new football coach, and the school’s athletics director did his best to provide a glimpse on why the last one was dismissed.
Last month, Michael Youngblood was fired after one season as Dunwoody’s head football coach. Youngblood said that he was terminated because he “didn’t see eye to eye” with principal Kevin Harris. Youngblood speculated that his firing was related to an incident between the two men at at halftime of Dunwoody’s homecoming game against Cedar Grove on Sept. 25. Harris entered the team’s locker room and directed several players to leave the team meeting to participate in the halftime activities.
At the time, school officials declined comment, and Youngblood’s point of view got a huge reaction from the AJC’s readers.
This week, Dunwoody athletics director Steve Fortenberry welcomed Jim Showfety as the new coach, and briefly addressed Youngblood’s departure.
Loading ...“I wanted to set the record straight, Micheal Youngblood was not fired at Dunwoody because of the halftime disagreement with our principal,” Fortenberry wrote in an email to the AJC. “There were a number of issues involving the coach … You make it sound like (the halftime incident) was the reason. Totally false.”
Now that Dunwoody has explained its side of the story as best as it probably ever will be, we can move forward to discussing Dunwoody’s new coach, Showfety. It’s very rare to see a coach leave the North Fulton area (Northview High) for DeKalb County. Usually, well almost 100-percent of the time, it’s the other way around.
Jim Showfety returns to DeKalb County (AJC file)
Why did Showfety leave Northview? “I felt like we were certainly trying to make changes with the program, and we were running into some obstacles,” he said, politely declining to explain further.
“I’m very appreciative I was given the opportunity to coach at Northview for two years, and I look forward to the opportunity at Dunwoody.”
Showfety was 0-10 and 2-8 at Northview the last two seasons after guiding Chamblee’s to a historic 12-2 season in 2007 that represented the school’s first semifinals. He is planning to hire a couple of former Northview assistants for his new staff, along with bringing back a few former Dunwoody assistants who worked under James Teter in 2008.
“We’re very excited to have Jim as our coach,” Fortenberry said. “He will be a great leader for our kids.”
What are your thoughts on Dunwoody football? Please post below.
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75 comments Add your comment
KA
March 19th, 2010
11:40 am
Gee. Wonder what would happen if this much time, energy and emotion were put into the ACADEMICS at Dunwoody instead of the ATHLETICS. Oh, and we could save all that money on uniforms, buses to games, etc to spend on getting more kids to achieve in things that will long outlast their highschool glory of a playoff game.
JSB
March 19th, 2010
11:42 am
Sorry, but this has been cathartic for Northview parents who have held their comments for two years due to fear of reprisal against their kid.
It’s over now, and I agree that it is time to move on.
State Champ Coach
March 19th, 2010
11:45 am
Thank you nomo
Moving on
March 19th, 2010
11:45 am
Hey good luck Coach Youngblood, Coach Showfety, Northview, and Dunwoody! Both fine coaches and fine schools. Let’s move on people.
TMH (DHS Alum)
March 19th, 2010
11:48 am
After reading all these negative posts, I also had to comment. Jim Showferty is a good person. I’ve known Jim for many years since living in N Fulton and have watched from a distance at how he molds young football players in to young men. I don’t think he had the commitment at NV, from parents down to the student body. No one ever mentions that the talent pool is diluted in this area because of the three major high schools that have been built on this side of town. Jim did not have the talent to mold a good program at Northview. I saw, with the right players (Chamblee) what he could accomplish. No one mentions that Northview is probably 60% Asian and it has been a while since I saw any Asian make an impact on the gridiron ! He simply coached what he was given. I think he will do well at DHS. He has the players at DHS, He has the drive to be an excellant coach at a better (Athletic wise) school than where he made his last stop. Stay off his back until you get to know him. I hope all you negative people (parents of Northview I’m sure) can compete with what you have. It’s not Jim’s fault. He would have done better with a table tennis team with the talent he was given.
Good luck Jim…..prove them wrong.
Interesting
March 19th, 2010
11:48 am
Then you truely don’t understand Coach Showfety’s philosophy at all. That is a shame. Also, don’t group yourself with all Northview parents. What a terrible example to show your children of how to express your hurtful and disparaging comments after a coach has left. Again, never once blamed a child.
North Fulton
March 19th, 2010
12:06 pm
Nono, I’m only addressing you. Everyone else I’ve said my peace and have moved on never to blog again. Obviously you have never played or coached at a high level. Flag football doesn’t count. If you did you would know when “team” drills are run and one has to include less talented players the drill is not at the level it needs to be. Go ask the so call coaches you know that win and they will tell you that. Each of those schools may not cut the player but they are not on the team expecting playing time. They are usually on a practice/development squad with hopes of making the team with hard work. Making a team is not a right. Maybe flag football is different.
As for me, don’t pity the players that played for me. I have one playing professional ball and too many to name that went on and played D1 and earned their degree. You were probably routing for them from your popcorn infested sofa. I’m retired and extremely successful. How about you?
nomo
March 19th, 2010
12:22 pm
North Fulton, I appreciate your confidence in yourelf, along with your keen ability to boast. I can assure you I’m referring to the varsity squads of the teams I’ve mentioned – not flag football. Yes, I have and do coach, and I speak with personal affilitation with the Gwinnett schools I mentioned. You asked a question, and I answered it. Don’t go changing your tune now that someone provided an accurate, factual answer to exactly what you asked.
A good coach knows how to balance the reps for the better talent, but also knows the value of those young men with lesser talent – and sometimes yes, it isn’t about playing time; it’s about camaraderie, helping kids (and parents) understand their role, and total team effort….it isn’t a unique concept – try it sometime, coach.
heartofdarkness
March 19th, 2010
12:49 pm
I am astonished that the universal response to this situation is not: “Hey, this is High School football. If you can get a group of adolescents to come to practice everyday, respond to instruction, learn to do their best and maybe learn a little respect for the game, you are getting far more than most.” I have often thought the greatest obstacle the kids face are the adults who are watching them. Little I read here changes that opinion.
North Fulton
March 19th, 2010
12:50 pm
Nomo there is an opening at Northview. I’m sure with your personal affilitation with the Gwinnett schools you would be a shoe in!
As my players would say “it’s not boasting if you can do it”. As for me I have a 2:00 pm tee time. The complications of living in North Fulton. You did entertained me for a few hours!
No more…………..my only exception today was calling the kids lazy (State Champ Coach) and you calling me ignorant!
State Champ Coach
March 19th, 2010
12:55 pm
Well……as I said they don’t seem to have the work ethic to be a successful football program. Just showing up won’t get the job done. Never did I use the term :lazy”. I said they are used to having everything given to them and not working for it.
State Champ Coach
March 19th, 2010
12:56 pm
Well……as I said they don’t seem to have the work ethic to be a successful football program. Just showing up won’t get the job done. Never did I use the term “lazy”. I said they are used to having everything given to them and not working for it.
CHSparent
March 19th, 2010
12:57 pm
Attention Dunwoody Parents and “Supporter”: LISTEN TO JSB!!!
Showfety is building his entire resume on his ONE SEASON at Chamblee (Oh…I thought it takes time for his system to develop). What is being missed here is that he inherited a very talented team. From that team you now have 8 who are playing D-I football (FBS and FCS), a QB who had D-I offers yet decided not to play (he had a full academic scholarship), a player who signed with NC St this year, and about 3 others playing at the D-II level. In other words…he did a very good job with a VERY talented team. Not only were they talented, they were smart…Georgia Tech, Air Force, Presbyterian, and 2 at Vandy just to name a few.
While he coached them well, he didn’t RELATE to them at all. He focused on coaching the upperclassmen, and ignored the freshman altogether. He didn’t develop these young men at all, nor did he make any impact on their lives. He did give them one hell of a playoff experience, though. Less than a year after he was given his 1st head coaching job, he bolted to the school in his neighborhood (where I guess he could relate to the kids better) to “build” the Northview program.
Well…how did that work? Two years, one victory on the field, one victory on paper (a forfeit). And how was his relationship with those players (who were obviously not quite as talented as those he inherited at Chamblee)? Ask JSB!!!
So, then what does he do? He expresses his remorse for leaving Chamblee, interviews for that opening, gets the job, and then………interviews with Dunwoody. Now he’s a Wildcat.
Can Showfety coach? Yes. Can he build a program? No. Is he in it for the kids? No. Is he in it for himself? Hmmmmm………
nomo
March 19th, 2010
12:58 pm
Typical.
:) « The next Lewis Grizzard
March 19th, 2010
1:03 pm
[...]
NICE! [...]
PMC
March 19th, 2010
3:33 pm
A whole bunch of worms everywhere in this one Michael. Didn’t Showfety leave Chamblee to be closer to his family? I guess they moved to Dunwoody now. Funny he would coach at Marist then go to Chamblee then bolt for Northview and then go back across the highway essentially to coach at Dunwoody. I guess he’s not really interested in being another Alan Chadwick even if he is going to run the same offense.
Showfety isn’t trying to build anything quite obviously whether he wants to admit it to himself or not. I don’t have a dog in the fight here either but it’s quite obvious to anyone who has follwed his career that he’s simply telling people what they want to hear in order to get hired. He’s an excellent OC in that offense and with the right talent he can with with it… but “build something”? give me a break. You don’t get better facilities than Northview. My guess is the talent was much thinner than it is in North Atlanta.
The idea from the Dunwoody AD that you would “make it sound like” anything is preposterous. The coach had been there one year there was a disagreement and he was fired…. how is anyone supposed to take it? Principals abuse their power in schools all the time.
Two Words
March 19th, 2010
5:05 pm
Tow words – Rajaan Bennett! Wouldn’t his family give anything to see Rajaan on the football field for any of these programs or coaches that all of you find so easy to criticize. Yes, they would, and so would so many other families who have lost their loved ones who loved this sport so dearly! Life isn’t so bad people. Take a minute and go back and read this series of blogs. It’s so pathetic. It’s amazing how many perfect people we have out there that they look in the mirror and see a perfect image and therefore spend their time belittling all these programs, administrators, coaches etc… It’s real simple to point fingers, but before you continue, go back and look in the mirror first. There are so many stories like Rajaan’s out there. Why don’t all you perfect critics out there spend your time typing condolence letters or writing the various counties in support of programs that are getting taking away. It’s a far better use of your time. These programs, administrators , and coaches don’t need your two cents.
Region 7 5A
March 19th, 2010
5:28 pm
It’s a shame how Carvell stirs all of this stuff up between 3 schools, leaving two coaches to be personally and professionally attacked, yet will not post comments that address the truth on the ground. You are better than that Michael.
just a teacher
March 19th, 2010
8:48 pm
North Fulton- I just had to address your comment about “Tell me when you have ever heard of a football coach that can’t control a class of 15- 17 year olds?? When I was in high school and college the football coach class was the most disciplined! Albeit easy!” That might have been true back in the day (aka when you and I were growing up), but as a 12-year high school teacher, I’m seeing that fewer and fewer coaches (football, basketball, baseball- all of them!) have any control over their classrooms. Their focus and dedication to their coaching duties seems to have taken most of their attention off of being good teachers and classroom managers. While I also know that these men work long days year-round as coaches, they also have to understand that their first priority is to be an educator, and when they slack off on that job, it just makes it harder on the rest of us!
38 Years
March 19th, 2010
9:09 pm
Let the coaches coach and then see what happens. Universal laws of Coaching: Everyone knows more than the coach and they will tell you about it. You will get fired sometime in your career. Your principal/AD is not your friend because they will have to do it one day. EVERYONE KNOWS how to do your job better than you, get over it!(only job in America other than President or baseball mgr.)
Many people these days don’t appreciate the fact that there are still men who are willing to coach football under these circumstances. When I started in 1972 there where loads of quality men coaching in the south, that is not true now, the talent pool is shrinking, they just are not going into the profession because of the confersation I just witnessed, which happens all over this nation daily. It is not about the development of young men, it is about what other people want. What a shame.
Truth
March 19th, 2010
10:28 pm
Now, I am absolutely certain that people are just trying to stir up things on this blog. I am an actual teacher in the Northview building, and I can tell you–point blank–that Mr. Showfety runs a very tight ship in his classroom. I have seen it with my own eyes, and I have heard students talk about this on more than one occasion. I have no clue who the teaching “experts” are on this blog, but it appears as though they are speaking out of turn. Enough already…
Interesting pick
March 19th, 2010
10:43 pm
Did Dunwoody hire a coach who has had 3 jobs in the last 4 years? Youngblood hadn’t been a head coach long enough? Showfety has been a head coach for 3 years, and two of them were 0-10 and 2-8. Showfety is very serious about behavior and schoolwork, which is great. But I can only hope, because I dislike DHS so much, that he cuts and runs like he did on Chamblee (who made the playoffs without him the last two years) or goes 2-18 in the next two year.
irishmafia`
March 19th, 2010
11:02 pm
I smell a rat and I think it’s coming from the administrative offices!
Michael Carvell
March 20th, 2010
1:07 am
Please remember that any offensive and personal remarks will not be tolerated.
Michael Carvell
March 20th, 2010
1:12 am
Region 7 5 A: How much clearer can it be? Dunwoody and DeKalb County school officials will NOT reveal their reasons on why Youngblood was terminated. And as long as they (meaning DeKalb County) continue to take this course of non-action, issues like this will continue to linger when they terminate coaches. You only have one side to go by — the coach’s.