THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230274
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
KEN TAYLOR HAS been head coach at Churchland High School for the past three years.
Taylor, 32, was a longtime junior varsity coach at Churchland before becoming head coach. His teams have won 6 and lost 4 in each of the past three seasons.
Following is a question-and-answer session between Taylor and Currents:
Portsmouth schools will be moving into the Eastern District next year to compete with Norfolk schools, ending an 18-year rivalry with many Chesapeake teams. How do you view this new district?
I believe the Eastern District is going to be the most competitive from top to bottom of any of the districts in the region.
In general there has been a decreasing attendance at high school football games. How would you boost the attendance?
Believe me, we have had many discussions about this. There seems little doubt when a successful team plays another successful team the attendance is excellent. Perhaps there is a need for team mascots and putting on special things at some of the games. A winning team gets its fans.
Is there a difference in coaching kids today that in past years?
My dad would agree with those who say there is. He coached years back in New York and now he's helping me. But I would disagree with those who say kids are not as dedicated. I can remember when just a few were in the weight room in the off-season. Now they're nearly all there.''
Football squads include 40 or 50 players, even more at some schools. Many play sparingly or not at all. Is that a problem for the coach with the player or with his parents?
It hasn't been for me. We had only 32 on our squad. I make every effort to sell each player on his role.''
Many coaches require players to devote full time to their particular sport with weight training in off-season. What's your feeling on players competing in other sports beside football?
I am all for it. I want them to play other sports because it keeps them focused. I believe playing basketball, running track or wrestling can help a football player become better. I don't want a player who is stale or burned out. But I do want to see my players in the weight rooms two days a week in the summer.
Soccer is on the upswing. Do you see it as becoming a threat to football?
As long as it is a spring sport, I think we are compatible. There are many parents who perceive soccer as being safer.
What is your recommendation in establishing academic standards for eligibility to play sports?
As long as a student makes progress in the classroom and isn't a disciplinary problem, I believe he should be allowed to play. There should be a statewide policy and that's it.
There seems to be other eligibility problems, such as players living at one place and giving another address as their home. Some have contended that players are even recruited. Do you have an opinion on this?
Very definitely. Using ineligible players is unethical. I would hope coaches would not actively solicit players to come to their schools. If a parent approaches a coach, that's entirely different. The coach can explain that the family should move and all rules be followed. But coaches should never solicit.
What is your feeling on the Virginia High School League power rating in determining playoff teams? The Phoebus coach points out one of the flaws when his team finished with the same record as Kecoughtan (both 8-2), defeated Kecoughtan when they played. Yet Kecoughtan qualified for the playoff and Phoebus did not.
In general I approve of the VHSL power rating until somebody can show me a better way to do it. But I am inclined to agree that head-to-head games should be a primary tiebreaker.
What about the sudden-death playoff to break tie games?
I love it. We've only been in one and we won it. I hate ties.
How would you rate high school officiating?
Just like in coaching or playing, there is always room for improvement. I would like to see us recruit more ex-players to become officials. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Ken Taylor's teams have won 6 and lost 4 in each of the past three
seasons, since he became head football coach at Churchland High. He
previously served as junior varsity coach at the school.
by CNB