Blue and Gold, on 24 January 2014 - 08:16 AM, said:
To answer some of the questions asked in previous posts. Coach Patton has always coached with clear expectations known by both athletes and their parents. Both athletes who quit the team knew very well the expectations and accountability required to play for him. Not only do his athletes understand the commitment he has to the program, and expects from them, he also opens his home to them often. It is my understanding that one of the players who quit spent a considerable amount of time in his home over the New Year, which would have been AFTER the Elida game. If my daughter and I were having such a horrible time under his coaching, then I certainly would not allow her to be in his home?
I have known Coach Patton for about 20 years, worked for him, and know his family well. In all of those years, I cannot remember him saying the 'F' word. Nope, not once. I would surprise me, that if he doesn't use that language in adult conversation on a regular basis, and he has been very upset with me, that he uses it in the locker room.
On the note that Coach Patton will do anything to insure the success of his own children, may I remind you of another Patton daughter, coached by someone other than her father, who also scored over 1000 points in her career at WG? Lisa graduated in 1997, I believe, and scored over 1000 points while another WG athlete, only 2 years older, did the same. Yep, that means that there was a Patton who could pour in the points as a Freshman and Sophomore while another player was doing the same in her Junior and Senior year. Perhaps there is a bit of talent in the genetics as well?
The bottom line is this, if you aren't satisfied, then fix it. But, please, take into consideration the other athletes and their families impacted by your decision.
I have watched this team for the last several years and you know where the focus is and who he wants to score. Leaving them in with 2:00 left in a game up by 15 to pad the stats was a common occurrence. It also appeared to me over the summer who his players were during the summer when only some players were invited to a "team" breakfast, not all of them. So saying he cares about his team rings hollow.
Also, he has been like this for years, ask anybody who has played against Waynesfield and you will get the same answer. He was a poor representative of the school and the school district. Expectations and accountability are one thing but watching a whole team play scared because one mistake and off to the bench you go to be screamed at, except the aforementioned daughter. When the rules differ for one player, and it is obvious, versus the rest of the team things need to change.
In terms of success of the program, what success? I can't name a time WG has beaten a team with equal or better TALENT. We are constantly out coached. The NWCC is not the strongest conference and our sectional has been filled by teams with losing records yet winning the. sectional is treated like a state title.
Our Junior High programs have been successful but the numbers get gutted every year. Last years 8th grade team, 8 girls go 35-2 over a two year period and they start the season down to 4 members. Most teams with that kind of success keep all of them playing. 1 senior, 2 juniors and 13 total players to start the year. Absolutely terrible that girls just stop playing.
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