I've had my disagreements with Cherokee High School football coach Skooter McCoy, particularly over a "Rant and Rave" submission that suggested a player of his put on some weight so he'd be more attractive to college recruiters. Neither he nor any other tribal government objector ever asked what I was thinking when I as editor of the One Feather placed the rant. I felt it was in humor, but they didn't see it that way. But I digress.
I feel like Coach McCoy was pressured to leave. I know all too well the politics of Cherokee. McCoy was the most successful coach that school ever had. To have that kind of success, a coach needs to keep his team disciplined. I suspect that a player, or potential or former player, didn't like the discipline McCoy dished out. Childish complaints probably went to parents, who instead of respecting someone who tries to give their children the tools to succeed in life, went to their council member or school board member and complained. The next thing that happened, a winning coach is out.
This was McCoy's statement to the One Feather, "Unfortunately, recent issues within the Central School Board and administration, along with other internal problems, have brought me to the point of rendering my resignation as head football coach. I stand firm in believing there will never be room for politics and personal agendas in high school athletics." That's the case everywhere Mr. McCoy.
One would think that a man with McCoy's talents and abilities would have people storming the bastille to defend him. One would think that the tribe's elected leaders would make statements in opposition to this kind of mentality. Unfortunately the tribe has an established pattern of running off talented and clearly qualified employees in favor of relatives and cronies.
I wish Coach McCoy well. Any football program would be lucky to have you.
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8 years ago
2 comments:
Joe,
Your thoughts on the new football coach presented to Tribal Council this morning (although curiously the Council session is not being shown live today?). Additionally, your thoughts on the new basketball coach from Princeton who said in the AC-T this morning that he "had never heard of Cherokee, North Carolina" before? Can this athletics director not find any qualified enrolled members who have gone on to do good things in both sports? And do you know why the AC-T would have the comments section disabled with this announcement? Sounds like censorship to me. So why not discuss it here? Thanks.
I'd say that anything is possible. In reference to the hiring of my replacement at the One Feather, it was once required that the editor be a tribal member. Annette Tarnawski stated before council that there is no one. Aside from myself, there are 5 tribal members who possess the qualifications to do that job. But you can't tell Annette anything. She's still trying to perpetuate the myth that I resigned.
I'm willing to bet there is a tribal member who could've taken that job. But it could be entirely possible that a tribal member who meets the qualifications for the job, doesn't want to put up with the crap of working in Cherokee.
That's exactly the problem they're going to encounter with hiring my replacement.
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