Post by stp51 on Jul 28, 2011 23:25:32 GMT -6
Coaching school notes: 6A will have to wait once again
By LORNE CHAN and SAM KHAN JR.
Staff writers
July 26, 2011, 12:21AM
Creating a Class 6A in the University Interscholastic League has been a scenario discussed for more than 20 years. It got a major push a year ago when the UIL's top official said it was "more likely now than ever" that the next high school realignment would see its biggest shakeup.
But once again, Class 6A will have to wait.
While speaking Monday at the 79th annual Texas High School Coaches Association Convention and Coaching School at Fort Worth, UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said the current five-classification system won't change .
Although Breithaupt said a year ago that the new class was likely to be implemented, he said the UIL legislative council β a group made up of superintendents across the state - was "lukewarm" to the idea.
The only difference for the next realignment will be the addition of split divisions in Class A track and field.
"We just need a few more schools to come into the mix," Breithaupt said. "Once that happens, I think the council will be more apt to say it's time."
Breithaupt estimated there will be more than 1,400 UIL high schools by the time it faces realignment for the 2014-15 school year. Class 5A has been the UIL's top classification since 1980."We were close, but I think we'll go through this for one more (realignment)," Breithaupt said. "Then we'll have 6A."
Issues with 7-on-7
The emergence of select, non-scholastic 7-on-7 football teams that travel and compete in tournaments has been a growing topic of conversation and concern in high school football circles nationally this summer.
UIL officials said they have heard from coaches who echo the concerns on what the situation potentially could become, given the ability of individuals who are not high school coaches to have influence on players.
"I know it's something the coaches are concerned about," UIL athletic director Mark Cousins said. "Any time you have influences outside of the high school coaching realm being involved, it raises concerns for some individuals. "
Earlier this week, several top local recruits, including Klein Forest quarterback Matt Davis, Dekaney running back Trey Williams and Hightower quarterback Bralon Addison - who all have committed to Texas A&M - participated on an all-star team consisting mostly of Texas and Texas A&M commitments and won a championship at Champion Gridiron Kings, a national 7-on-7 tournament in Orlando, Fla.
In Texas, 7-on-7 has not been sanctioned, but it has had the UIL's blessing since its inception in the late 1990s. High school coaches are allowed to organize tournaments but not coach their players. It culminates every July in College Station with a state tournament that involves teams from all classifications and the players representing their high schools.
One solution that has been floated is allowing high school coaches to coach their kids during summer 7-on-7 competition, but UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said that it is a slippery slope.
"If (one coach) is coaching, (the other) has got to coach," Breithaupt said. "When you allow something, it almost becomes a requirement. Is that what we want? Do we want our coaches coaching 12 months out of the year, seven days a week, four hours a day? That's what it turns into - a 365-day proposition. That's not altogether healthy for our coaches or our kids."
Read more: www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/7669240.html#ixzz1TT62jOnW
By LORNE CHAN and SAM KHAN JR.
Staff writers
July 26, 2011, 12:21AM
Creating a Class 6A in the University Interscholastic League has been a scenario discussed for more than 20 years. It got a major push a year ago when the UIL's top official said it was "more likely now than ever" that the next high school realignment would see its biggest shakeup.
But once again, Class 6A will have to wait.
While speaking Monday at the 79th annual Texas High School Coaches Association Convention and Coaching School at Fort Worth, UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said the current five-classification system won't change .
Although Breithaupt said a year ago that the new class was likely to be implemented, he said the UIL legislative council β a group made up of superintendents across the state - was "lukewarm" to the idea.
The only difference for the next realignment will be the addition of split divisions in Class A track and field.
"We just need a few more schools to come into the mix," Breithaupt said. "Once that happens, I think the council will be more apt to say it's time."
Breithaupt estimated there will be more than 1,400 UIL high schools by the time it faces realignment for the 2014-15 school year. Class 5A has been the UIL's top classification since 1980."We were close, but I think we'll go through this for one more (realignment)," Breithaupt said. "Then we'll have 6A."
Issues with 7-on-7
The emergence of select, non-scholastic 7-on-7 football teams that travel and compete in tournaments has been a growing topic of conversation and concern in high school football circles nationally this summer.
UIL officials said they have heard from coaches who echo the concerns on what the situation potentially could become, given the ability of individuals who are not high school coaches to have influence on players.
"I know it's something the coaches are concerned about," UIL athletic director Mark Cousins said. "Any time you have influences outside of the high school coaching realm being involved, it raises concerns for some individuals. "
Earlier this week, several top local recruits, including Klein Forest quarterback Matt Davis, Dekaney running back Trey Williams and Hightower quarterback Bralon Addison - who all have committed to Texas A&M - participated on an all-star team consisting mostly of Texas and Texas A&M commitments and won a championship at Champion Gridiron Kings, a national 7-on-7 tournament in Orlando, Fla.
In Texas, 7-on-7 has not been sanctioned, but it has had the UIL's blessing since its inception in the late 1990s. High school coaches are allowed to organize tournaments but not coach their players. It culminates every July in College Station with a state tournament that involves teams from all classifications and the players representing their high schools.
One solution that has been floated is allowing high school coaches to coach their kids during summer 7-on-7 competition, but UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said that it is a slippery slope.
"If (one coach) is coaching, (the other) has got to coach," Breithaupt said. "When you allow something, it almost becomes a requirement. Is that what we want? Do we want our coaches coaching 12 months out of the year, seven days a week, four hours a day? That's what it turns into - a 365-day proposition. That's not altogether healthy for our coaches or our kids."
Read more: www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/7669240.html#ixzz1TT62jOnW