Winder Barrow High School head football coach David Wagner called the Barrow Journal’s editor, Chris Bridges, last week to say neither he nor his staff of coaches would continue to cooperate with the newspaper’s coverage of his team. Wagner was miffed over an online poll last week that we posted on the Barrow Journal website. The poll asked the following question:
What do you think the problem is with the football program at WBHS?
•Not enough school support
•Not enough community support
• A lack of quality athletes
• A lack of quality coaching
• Don’t know
Wagner was upset that the Journal dared asked that question. Maybe that’s because in the three years he’s been at WBHS, Wagner hasn’t won a single football game. Yet he doesn’t expect anyone to notice that, or even ask the obvious?
Crybaby coaches
Friday, September 28. 2012
Wagner is in a high-profile job in the community as a head football coach. He is a public employee, as are all the coaches in the school system. The football program uses tax-funded stadiums and training rooms. For Wagner to think he has no obligation to be under the public limelight in his position is foolish. It goes with any coaching job.
The truth is, the Journal has never been critical of Wagner or his teams. Despite three years of losses, the newspaper has been very supportive of the WBHS football program. We spend thousands of dollars every year to cover the school’s football program and related activities.
And nobody has questioned the commitment of WBHS players to becoming successful. It’s not the fault of the players at WBHS that they find themselves in this situation. Every boy on that team wants to win. No athlete does the drills in the heat of the summer, or takes the physical pounding of football planning to lose. The boys want, and deserve, a winning program.
But it doesn’t mean that questions about the program should not be asked. The online poll was a way to let the community express its impression of what the problem might be with the years of trouble in the WBHS football program.
Coaches live and die based on their success. While high school athletes learn valuable life lessons no matter what a team’s win-loss record, the reality is that coaches are measured on their W-L record. Every coach who goes into that field knows that. If they can’t withstand the pressure of W-L and the public scrutiny that comes with it, they need to find another profession. Hypersensitive coaches with thin skin won’t last.
Wagner got his job at WBHS because his predecessor had not been as successful as many had wanted. Ben Corley was forced out after two years and a record of 3-17 when athletic director Justin Grant decided to bring Wagner in to replace him.
At that time, Chris wrote an opinion column in which he questioned that decision, saying that Corley needed more than just two years to build a program.
Grant was furious about that column and called to complain — how dare Chris question his decision to oust Corley!
But now three years later, the program has not been any more successful than it was under Corley. At 0-24, and being outscored 182-824 over the last three seasons, Wagner’s record is worse. Yet nobody, least of all this newspaper, has called for him to go.
To any objective observer, the problems in the WBHS program seem to be bigger than any single coach. That the community is concerned about that should come as no surprise; nor should questions about the situation be shocking. Shouldn’t the community hold the leadership of that very public program to some modicum of accountability?
One of the best things that could happen to Winder and Barrow County would be for WBHS to build a strong football tradition of success as it had many years ago. The economic downturn has had a huge negative impact on the community both economically and psychologically. The community needs something to rally around — a program to be proud of — an event that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together in a positive way. Everyone in the community would love to see WBHS build a successful football program.
But that won’t be done by coaches who put their heads in the sand and say “Hush!” to anyone who dares to ask “what’s wrong?” Pretending there isn’t a problem won’t make the problem go away. And a coach trying to suppress a newspaper’s coverage of high school sports won’t make that sport become more successful.
If Wagner is concerned about “negativity” in his football program, he can’t shift the blame for that on the newspaper or anyone else who dares ask questions.
If he wants to stop questions from being asked, there is a solution: Win some ballgames. Trying to change the focus away from himself and cast blame onto others is just being a crybaby.
Of course, the Journal can’t make Wagner, or his staff, talk to us. While that reflects poorly on him as a leader, nobody can force him to speak if he doesn’t want to.
Still, the Journal will continue to cover WBHS football as it always has. It would be unfair to the athletes and our readers to allow such pettiness by a coach to interfere with coverage of a sport. We will still be on the sidelines making photographs and we will continue to write about the WBHS football team, along with other school sports.
And if Wagner won’t talk with us, well, that’s his choice.
In fact, we’d rather he do his talking on the field by winning a few games.
Results speak louder than words anyway.
Mike Buffington is co-publisher of the Barrow Journal. He can be reached at mike@mainstreetnews.com.
The truth is, the Journal has never been critical of Wagner or his teams. Despite three years of losses, the newspaper has been very supportive of the WBHS football program. We spend thousands of dollars every year to cover the school’s football program and related activities.
And nobody has questioned the commitment of WBHS players to becoming successful. It’s not the fault of the players at WBHS that they find themselves in this situation. Every boy on that team wants to win. No athlete does the drills in the heat of the summer, or takes the physical pounding of football planning to lose. The boys want, and deserve, a winning program.
But it doesn’t mean that questions about the program should not be asked. The online poll was a way to let the community express its impression of what the problem might be with the years of trouble in the WBHS football program.
Coaches live and die based on their success. While high school athletes learn valuable life lessons no matter what a team’s win-loss record, the reality is that coaches are measured on their W-L record. Every coach who goes into that field knows that. If they can’t withstand the pressure of W-L and the public scrutiny that comes with it, they need to find another profession. Hypersensitive coaches with thin skin won’t last.
Wagner got his job at WBHS because his predecessor had not been as successful as many had wanted. Ben Corley was forced out after two years and a record of 3-17 when athletic director Justin Grant decided to bring Wagner in to replace him.
At that time, Chris wrote an opinion column in which he questioned that decision, saying that Corley needed more than just two years to build a program.
Grant was furious about that column and called to complain — how dare Chris question his decision to oust Corley!
But now three years later, the program has not been any more successful than it was under Corley. At 0-24, and being outscored 182-824 over the last three seasons, Wagner’s record is worse. Yet nobody, least of all this newspaper, has called for him to go.
To any objective observer, the problems in the WBHS program seem to be bigger than any single coach. That the community is concerned about that should come as no surprise; nor should questions about the situation be shocking. Shouldn’t the community hold the leadership of that very public program to some modicum of accountability?
One of the best things that could happen to Winder and Barrow County would be for WBHS to build a strong football tradition of success as it had many years ago. The economic downturn has had a huge negative impact on the community both economically and psychologically. The community needs something to rally around — a program to be proud of — an event that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together in a positive way. Everyone in the community would love to see WBHS build a successful football program.
But that won’t be done by coaches who put their heads in the sand and say “Hush!” to anyone who dares to ask “what’s wrong?” Pretending there isn’t a problem won’t make the problem go away. And a coach trying to suppress a newspaper’s coverage of high school sports won’t make that sport become more successful.
If Wagner is concerned about “negativity” in his football program, he can’t shift the blame for that on the newspaper or anyone else who dares ask questions.
If he wants to stop questions from being asked, there is a solution: Win some ballgames. Trying to change the focus away from himself and cast blame onto others is just being a crybaby.
Of course, the Journal can’t make Wagner, or his staff, talk to us. While that reflects poorly on him as a leader, nobody can force him to speak if he doesn’t want to.
Still, the Journal will continue to cover WBHS football as it always has. It would be unfair to the athletes and our readers to allow such pettiness by a coach to interfere with coverage of a sport. We will still be on the sidelines making photographs and we will continue to write about the WBHS football team, along with other school sports.
And if Wagner won’t talk with us, well, that’s his choice.
In fact, we’d rather he do his talking on the field by winning a few games.
Results speak louder than words anyway.
Mike Buffington is co-publisher of the Barrow Journal. He can be reached at mike@mainstreetnews.com.
From a facts point of view, you relayed so little of the coach's specific concerns about the survey that I question the implications you make about his phone call at all. Second, you desire a program or sport that can bring people in the county together, yet you write an article that so clearly is meant to divide...to invite criticism of this guy and his football program. It's one thing to question. It's a whole other to antagonize.
You don't seem like a fellow who apologizes very often, but unless I'm missing something, this article is way out of line for more than one reason, and it makes you and the paper look bad. I enjoy reading your articles online and had been considering subscribing to the paper so as not to miss anything. This made that decision easy, as I'll skip sending you my twenty bucks and just continue to watch from the sidelines. I'd feel silly supporting a paper that includes articles as ridiculous as this one.
15 yard penalty on The Barrow Journal for unsportsmanlike conduct!
Does coaching matter? It certainly does. There's a reason Larry Campbell has won 461 games at Lincoln County since 1972. But if you ask him I'm sure he will give the credit to his players, and there have been a lot of D1 players from Lincolnton. Little Lincolnton!
What does this have to do with WBHS? Nothing, and perhaps, everything. Coach Wagner polished his reputation as the defensive coordinator and right hand man of Apalachee Head Coach Shane Davis during an undefeated regular season and deep run in the playoffs. Could an idiot have done that? Of course not.
But if you follow Apalachee, they have been in gradual decline for the past couple of years. Why? Did Coach Davis and his staff suddenly start chugging Stupid Juice? Again...of course not. Their overall talent level, while still well above average, isn't what it was then. Particularly when it comes to depth. But they are still more than competitive.
But back to WBHS...what is the problem? An earlier poster pointed to the success of the baseball program and top shelf WBHS athletes dedicating themselves exclusively to baseball and other sports. I don't discount that theory, as kids of HS age want to be associated with a winner. And football simply hasn't been for way too long.
How do we get there...back to the halycon days of Coach Phil Jones? That's where it gets complicated. There are no easy answers. Coach Corley was dismissed after 3 wins in 2 years and many folks protested that wasn't enough time for him to establish his program. But how many years do you give Wagner if 2 years wasn't enough for Corley?
The common thread through both the Corley and Wagner eras is the players produced by our Rec and Middle School programs. WBMS has long been more than competitive in middle school football (winning the league championship last year), Russell...ehhh...not so much. But success in high school starts sooner than that: during youth football. The Valdosta/Lowndes County model is proof of that. Those kids are drilled in the offensive and defensive schemes of those respective programs from the time they are 8-years old, and success is not just expected, it's demanded. And the kids, by both programs records, obviously respond.
Wagner, to his credit, has tried to establish that with the new WB Competitive Football Program. But will the kids buy into it when they see the results of the flagship program, and will Wagner survive long enough to see the fruits of his efforts? From the brewing community revolt, apparently not.
I know this has been an incredibly long rant, but I've been thinking about this for a while and it seems things are coming to a head. There is no reason Winder-Barrow cannot be not only competitive, but also succeed, on the gridiron. But to get there the program, regardless of who the coach is, needs the support of the community. If you are a WBHS grad...go to a game. Even if you don't know any coaches or players, go cheer for your alma mater. Trust me, it does make a difference. Be supportive of the kids and coaches. And if a change is made, be supportive of those coaches.
There is just way too much negativity surrounding this program (and entire county for that matter), and we all just need to do something positive: BE SUPPORTIVE.
Go Doggs.
1) You're a small town newspaper. You probably don't buy as much ink as you'd like to think you do.
2) You don't kick folks when they're down. It's bad manners and poor sportsmanship.
I, if this was the case, agree. Win or lose, these kids play hard. They do not desrve to be told they lack quality. I would take heart over quality any day.
I have to say it smacks of the move of a coward but it does.
Signed a true supporter of local and high school sports!
David Willard
Some of you say that losing has destroyed their lives. Really? Do you think that all those coaches are teaching them is football? Losing hasn't destroyed their lives, they are a better person for what they are going through. Life is not always a bed of roses.
As far as Corley goes, you have the facts wrong. He was not pushed out. He is a fine man, but he would not do what was asked of him. He would not develop a younger program like the administration wanted him to do. As far as Justin Grant is concerned you won't find a finer person anywhere. He has great character and genuinely cares about the students. I have seen him put his own money out for those kids.
The coaches leave their families and try to build a program and those kids are trying to do the same. It is shameful that you are trying to tear it apart. I played atheltics, and my brothers played athletics at WBHS. You can't always have a winning team. Things will never improve until the community decides to become supportive instead of being so negative and demeaning.
Wagner and his staff are trying to improve the program by beginning to build it from a young age. They need our support.
Mike, as far as you are concerned, go back to writing for the "Jefferson" Herald and leave us Barrow Countians be.
Coaches like Phil Jones, Coach Berry, Whitlock...etc... enough said.
They were hard but it worked
But, this is not about the coaches, players or anything of the sort. This is about Mike. As someone said earlier he protects Dr. Creel while critizing the athletic program. Funny, I never saw the first word when Dr. Creel forced our coach to use up a spot on his roster for a girl who would never play.
Var boys 1st place
Var girls 1st place
Jr var boys and girls both 1st place
Way to go Coach Lofton and Partee-Manders
You want hear about that here at this paper or the other paper.
Winder has never been a football team and never will. Football here in Winder is like baseball, show me the money and your kid plays.
Coach Wagner, his entire staff, the boys of the football team and the coach's families, keep your heads up high. You are rock and are a great family. Go Doggs!
If the school and community wants a better football team then the coaches have to put the best eleven that hey have on the field and then they have to give them a solid game plan,if that happens then they can start to win some ball games, but the daddy ball that has always been prevalent here as we'll as the newer money ball has to go.
It is right here..Maybe I'm reading to much into this but the last time I checked the kids are the athletes...so the kids at winder are not good? Is that what this is asking?
Not enough school support
•Not enough community support
• A lack of quality athletes
• A lack of quality coaching
• Don’t know
Just keep in mind, WBMS won the championship last year and those players are now part of a great 9th grade team combined with the Russell players. Those boys appear to be the start of something fantastic for the WB Football program. I see good things happening and as long as both sides, Coaches and players, stay positive. We should see things turn around once everyone starts moving up. I see that the Middle School coaches also working to achieve a much needed feeder program and that will help as well. Is the answer to send those middle school coaches up to the Varsity ranks? Perhaps, but I agree, it does take time to get a program together. So what's the right answer other than sending a Russell coach up to call the plays?
I'm not sure i agree with calling the coaches cry babies either, but it is your 1st amendment right to say what you want. Opinions are like noses, everyone has one.
The biggest thing is that the town has got to support the program, the players and the coaches, but not just football..ALL of the programs at WB.
The RMS won though....maybe next year when the 8th graders move up we might can win a game
Your previous quote; "here these coaches as they talk on there head phones and bad mouth the kids call them all sorts of names it a wonder they anyone playing for them"
You cant hear these coaches from the stands on the headphones.
So I ask the question again:How in the world do you know what is said over the game headphones?
So much bull%^&*#$ cant keep up with it all I guess!!
Before you post again, please take a look at yourself and be honest. How much support have you given the team... not just your son. When was the last time you helped carpool so there could be an effective practice, or donated something that the team needed. And when it is your son, how often do you hold them responsible for good sportsmanship or their job on the field. We have this sense of my son is suppose, but if they want the spot tell them to go out there and earn it. Tell them to go to practice and be the best. Practice on season and off season. Dont blame the coach or favoritism. Be part of the solution and not the problem.
Funny thing, when Coach Wagner is gone, you will also be unhappy with the next coach.
I will also not purchase another Barrow Journal paper because this was not written with any good spirit for the community. In my eight years as a resident, I have never seen this type of forum of attack. Coaching our boys has more hurdles and frankly the pay does not suffice what they contribute.
Coach Wagner and Coach Davis thanks for what you and your staff have done for my boys. Football is so much more than what happen on the field. Good luck as you prepare yourselves and your teams for this next level of football.
We need newspapers that are responsible and do not take to the pen the very things join our community and youth.
Winning is an attitude that comes far beyond the field. I remember my son once saying, "Mom it is such a great energy boost when you hear the fans behind you cheering the team through the plays." Funny thing is, our visiting teams are louder that us at either school and come with half of the spectators. Cheering builds pride, pride gives effort.
Will never search this site or buy another of the Barrow Journal.