Returning Coaches NoVa- WCAC

I am sure there are always rumors. I have heard for several years that Emerson was leaving for a college program, or to Langley, or to Flint Hill, or whatever. But why would he leave. Players come to him at PVI. He can schedule anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic against great teams. He has national attention every year. Why give that up?

I know Emerson has applied to college head coaching jobs when they opened up. Its kind of tough to jump right into a head coaching position at a high level divsion 1 school without any college coaching experience. Gallagher is just scratching the surface, he has taken Ireton to the WCAC final the last two years and Ireton has one of the best fields in the WCAC now. Gallagher should be there a while!

Scoop -
Everyone has talked about Emerson being College bound. To answer Hobbs, why give that up? Well I guess if you are getting national attention on HS level, then the natural progression is College.

haven't heard on replacement for Detwiler at Robinson nor McCullough at Herndon

The Yorktown (Arlington) position is also now officially open.

abc--did not know Yorktown was open. Wow. That is a great school with a pretty good athletic tradition. Someone is going to be very fortunate to have that opportunity.

As for BI, Gallagher is a fabulous coach, but if I am not mistaken, he lost about 90% of his core players this year. They had a good run, but I suspect that, unless some juniors and seniors step up, they will be in a rebuilding mode. But good luck. Great to see BI challenging the likes of PVI, St. John's, and DeMatha.

Gallagher can recruit players for BI from anywhere, but definitely from the whole eastern side of Arlington and Fairfax and Alexandria. His reputation and connections will help BI reload. The field at Cora Kelly continues to look better and better, so there is a solid, year over year program being built.

What happened with Detwiler at Robinson?

Detwiler decided to move family to North Carolina for lower cost of living area.

Greg Miller has taken over at Herndon. A former player for McCullock, Coach Miller also teaches there.

Spartan--I agree that Gallagher is well-positioned at BI to build a program. The question is whether he just made the most of a diminishing talent pool or whether he actually has a sustainable talent pool that will allow him to compete, year in and year out, with PVI, Good Counsel, St. John's, O'Connell, Gonzaga, and DeMatha. I looked at his roster for last spring and it was loaded with seniors--loaded. What is left in the cupboard for next year? I hope BI is loaded up with good juniors and seniors and that they continue to compete for the WCAC Championship. I just don't know if that is the reality.

abc--any ideas about who might end up at Yorktown?

rhobbs: No idea about Yorktown. I gather that Mike Allen's resignation was due to unpleasant circumstances, details unknown to me. Mike Murray is a tremendous asset as the Yorktown assistant coach, but he has his VBC Baseball business as well. I doubt he would have the time to step up and become head coach. Mike Murray is one of the finest instructors to ever work with my son. Can't say enough good things about him.

...- please tell me you are not a tc parent.

Player -
I assume you are directing your question to me. No I am not a parent of a TC player. Why would you assume I am? And why would you care?

Okay ...--you indicate that there are rumors that Gallgaher has a chance to go to TCW. Pls provide details about this. How solid are the rumors. That would be a huge blow to BI baseball, just as they are starting to build something. Gallagher seems to have been given a chance to build a great program and compete in the WCAC--would he give that up to go to TCW? More money? Better chance to build a winner?

abc--Yorktown would be very fortunate to get Mike Murray, but you are probably right that his VBC business commitments probably preclude his being head coach at Yorktown.

Hobbs-
My friends' son plays for Gallagher's ODL team, apparently they have 6 players from TC Williams (which is a lot from one school). He heard chatter in the stands that Gallagher was going to Coach TC in Fall. Maybe we were being presumptuous, but it seems a little odd to put in all that work in on kids that you are not going to have anything to do with in the spring.

Yes, he can build a better program in the WCAC. I have no idea what the pay scale is for public vs private. It would be disappointing to those looking to jump to BI. He gets the most out of his team, so no matter where he ends up, they will have an excellent program.

Any word on prospects for Robinson?

Isn't Gallagher still involved, if not running the Dominion Baseball School and its Dragons travel teams? Isn't it easier to do that type of paid instruction as a WCAC coach rather than as a Fairfax county coach?

WCAC puts no limits on out of season practices and so one of the advantages of coaching at BI is the ability to work with players year round.

Robinson hired Jeff Ferrell, formerly of Langley. I believe that Bill Evers is going to be heavily involved in running the team as well.

(1) Superball--I thought the WCAC had the same sort of rules as any other conference when it comes to off-season baseball workouts and practices. For example, it is my understanding that WCAC schools cannot begin tryouts/practices until March 1st (unless that calls on a Sunday, and then they can start on the Saturday preceding it to avoid doing a Sunday practice). Also, if they could work out with their teams year-round, why don't they? You don't see PVI, BI, OConnell, StJohn's, DeMatha, or Good Counsel franchise teams playing summer travel ball or even NVTBL ball. I think the WCAC does, in fact, limit practices and coach-player work in the off-season.

(2) Yes, Coach Gallagher runs (maybe owns?) DBA, and from DBA he does tons of youth clinics and programs, and from DBA he runs the Dragons program. Whether it is with TCW or BI or WestPo or Mt Vernon kids, DBA is, I believe, his primary source of income. Therefore, I think he will have to coach at a school that would allow him to continue to run his business. BI clearly does that. TCW (NOT a Fairfax Co school, but, rather, an Alexandria City School) may or may not afford him that opportunity.

(3) ...--that sounds to me like parents trying to use this page to generate that buzz to spark a movement to draft Coach Gallagher to TCW. Very interesting approach.

(4) I understand that Coach Gallgaher expects to bring into BI a quality bunch of kids this year with a view toward building and sustaining a program long term. BI may be down some this year, but it appears that he is building something long term there that can make him one of the WCAC's perennial contenders.

rhobbs-
I am not a TCW parent, but I do have an interest in where Gallagher ends up. My son will be in 8th grade this year in Fairfax Co - and we are trying to determine what is the best move for him next year regarding academics and baseball. My buddy does have a son on his Dragon's ODL Team and did hear chatter. I also have heard rumors of Emerson leaving from a different source.

I think he can still run his business and Coach - just not his own team - I know he has a staff of other HS Coaches. Almost all the HS coaches currently have some sort of side Coaching business - don't they? My eldest son went to VBC years ago and they had high school coaches working there.

You seem to have a lot of knowledge - I'm wondering what your thoughts are on BI vs PVI vs Robinson?

Robinson lost 4 great seniors this year, their nucleus is gone pretty much and all that is left is Austin Freer to pitch and Rutger at 1st.

...--I watch and listen and read, but I don't have access to the inner goings on of HS baseball in NoVa. That said, with respect to your 8th grader, I recommend that you send him wherever he is most comfortable, all things considered. If his life is all about baseball, and if he is really good or has the potential to become really good, and if you want to take a chance by spending $15K per year (non-Catholic) to enhance baseball exposure, then PVI is probably a good bet. If Gallagher is still at BI, then that would be a good bet. But, if he has friends at his local public HS, and if it is convenient, and if he can get the classes and program he wants and needs at that school, and if you are comfortable with the cultural environment at that school, and if the baseball program and coach are of sound quality, then that is a great (and much cheaper) option.

Coach Emerson and Coach Gallagher, according to the rumors on this thread, may leave sooner rather than later (though I think neither will leave unless the opportunity elsewhere is just crazy-good). Who knows who will come in behind them if they do leave? It appears that there is some turmoil at Robinson and maybe the program is lean. New coach, not too many returning starters--maybe that adds up to an incredible opportunity to be a part of something starting as early as freshman year? You cannot argue with Coach Emerson's success at PVI, whether measured by State, conference, and tournament championships, or by number of players going on to play in college. But that means that the talent pool there is deep. The 2011 class there is large and appears to be ready to consume most of the playing time for the next two years. But that leaves a 2014 in the driver's seat, right? BI? Currently on a high, but maybe the cupboard is bare this year--rumor is that his 2013 class is a good bunch of players--maybe not as much opportunity there?

When you boil it all down, your son should go where he is going to have four productive, fun, and happy years. That usually means going where his best friends go and doing the things he likes and does best. Just ask him where he will be happiest.

rhobbs-
Thanks for tips. I think I need to figure out what his odds are of making the PVI team. I knew about Robinson hitting a rough patch for a couple of years, but we have a couple years before my boy would be on Varsity. My friend is really impressed with Gallagher, so I have some thinking and planning to do.

hobbs -- my assessment of the WCAC rules were based on the following from one WCAC school website. It looks like year round training to me. I personally believe this type of year round baseball focus is excellent for those that want it and have no problem with it. If you want to say that out of season practices are not allowed by the WCAC, then that's your call. In Fairfax County, however, coaches do not have this type of flexibility to work with their players.


OFF SEASON WINTER TRAINING:
FROM THE COACHING STAFF...

... at ***, we make a year-round effort for our program and our players. Although the coaching staff does encourage participation in other sports, there are opportunities for baseball players to improve almost all year through team baseball camps and baseball specific weight training & conditioning.

...However, it makes no sense for our prospective players to attend other off-season baseball camps and training sessions instead of those provided by *** Baseball...

IF OUR PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CAMPS RUN BY THE COACHES THEY ARE GOING TO BE TRYING OUT FOR, IT IS AN ADVANTAGE FOR US AND THEM.

...Our high school program is more like a college program. The idea is to prepare you for the next level. And again, while it does not help those who plan to play baseball to participate in other sports, they are not disadvantaged or looked down upon by missing off-season baseball activities.

Our off-season wt. training conditioning program runs from late Novemeber through the baseball season and focuses on flexibility, cardiovascular strength & endurance, muscular strength & endurance, speed, plyometric power and nutrition.

From late November through late February the Baseball Staff coordinates camps for all prospective players at *** and at local indoor baseball facilities. Players have a chance to improve skills with the coaching staff and prepare themselves for the upcoming season.

... Details of the training schedule are handed out in the fall meeting.

Robinson will be fine. They have excellent tradition and good feeder programs. They graduated quality players in Delbuono, Kuter, McCloud, and Kenah, but just as when they graduated Clemens, Johnson, Rabung, Wiggins, Booker, etc, they will reload.

Ferrell and Evers will make a strong coaching combination.

I do think Robinson will hit a rough patch, but I didn't mean to come off as saying they're going to have a terrible year. Jared Velasquez will get better with time and they have some tall lanky pitchers with decent speed too, I just doubt they will get to the District Championship game again next season.

Not quite time for a Concorde 2010 assessment, but relax.

- Westfield will be tough again, even though they graduated CF, RF, 3B, SS/Closer, and 2B.

- CVille is the favorite with a team of mostly 3 year starters returning, perhaps with exception of 3B, Nicholas. A healthy Cam Walter will help anchor their relatively weak lineup.

- Chantilly may drop off a bit as they graduated LF, CF, RF, 3B, SS, 2B, 1B, P1, P2.

- Herndon -- your never know with them. New coach.

- Oakton -- last year was supposed to be their reload year as they graduated 1B, RF, 3B/P1.

So, I wouldn't count Robinson out just yet for 2010.

Haha, I don't want to start a Concorde assessment. We need to save those discussions for the weeks leading up to the season.

Superball--Billy Emerson and Jeff Nolan are nothing if not great salesmen. That excerpt from the PVI website is an ADVERSTISEMENT, with all the reliability you would find in almost any other advertising. The "camps" and "workouts" are no different--no better and no worse--than those found in any good public school program. The concept of a year-round program at PVI, the pinnacle of the WCAC, is the same concept used at every other decent baseball school, public or private. Play spring baseball in season (PVI's schedule shows spring trips in the South), play the best summer baseball you can play (no PVI franchise team), play the best fall ball you can play, and work out with teammates in a structured environment, using camps and conditioning sessions, over the winter. If playing another sport, don't worry about the camps and conditioning. But I will grant that PVI is better at selling itself as a "college level program," which seems attractive to some kids who want to play in college, which builds the talent pool, which allows PVI to be successful every year. Emerson and Nolan are geniuses when it comes to playing the psychological side of this "business." Other coaches (Gallagher, for example) are starting to compete with them and that is why kids are going to schools like BI as well as PVI.

...--ANY player can play at PVI if he is willing to compete and work hard. THAT is true at any school. Go to Robinson, work hard, play. Go to BI, work hard, play. Go to PVI, work hard, play. This assumes a good level of talent and skill going in. And this assumes a willingness to dedicate oneself to getting better and playing as much summer and fall ball as possible. That is what is meant by "work hard." It will take hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and desire no matter where junior wants to play. If you are on the fence with these programs, call the coaches, set up an appointment with them, go see them, talk to them about their expectations and yours, get junior a workout in front of them, and see where it goes from there.

I'm not turning this into a PVI vs others discussion. There is no doubt that PVI coaches do a great job recruiting talent, preparing their teams, and promoting their kids to college programs.

My only point is that WCAC coaches have more flexibility to work with their kids than Fairfax County coaches.

Superball--It is not a PVI vs. others discussion. The website you cited was the PVI website. What I am saying is that what is cited is simply hype designed to sell the program. PVI does not practice any more or any less than any other quality program.

I don't think it is true that WCAC coaches have more flexibility. Maybe I just don't know. But I know several area public high schools that do EXACTLY what PVI appears to be doing every year. Indeed, some do MORE, especially when it comes to keeping a franchise team together (for example, many area high schools have NVTBL franchise teams that are close to being their varsity and JV teams; also, BI has a franchise team, something PVI does not have).

All I am saying is that PVI, and the WCAC schools generally, are in no better or worse position than the public schools who fully support baseball.

Are there restrictions on WCAC head coaches or assistant coaches coaching franchise or travel teams? yes or no? Fairfax County coaches have to live with the 1/3 rule. Do WCAC coaches have such a limitation?

The franchise teams you allude to in NVTBL are not run by the schol coaches due to the 1/3 rule. They may have parents as coaches/administrators, they may have other volunteer or paid coaches, but the coaches have to stay hands off. Whether PVI, BI, or other WCAC schools choose to operate their own franchise team or not is not relevant. They may if they want to with no roster restrictions.

Can Fairfax County coaches direct their players to specific instruction, hold team specific camps, disincentivize players from using other instructors, etc as the PVI web site says, and I know the PVI coaches do? Fairfax County coaches have formal guidelines that they are supposed to follow that formally prohibits such activities, so, if they do these things, don't they do so at some risk? Do WCAC coaches have such prohibitions?

I have no problem with any of this activity, as there is no reason that public and private schools have to abide by the same rules/procedures. But, there is no way the WCAC coaches are held to the same standards as Fairfax County coaches.

I guess we'll have to just agree to disagree.

I have never been successful digging into the rules and limitations imposed by the WCAC on anything. However, it always seemed to me that the restrictions placed on WCAC athletics were just about the same as those imposed on public schools athletics. Wrt the franchise teams--I don't know of a single franchise team sponsored by a WCAC school where the in-season coach is the coach of the franchise team. And the SOLE baseball franchise team I have ever heard of is the one for BI--and I have never seen Coach Gallagher at one of their games, in or out of the dugout. But I have seen a ton of public school franchise teams--a ton--which clearly are more than just a pickup team of kids who want to play. Most of the time, these teams are set up to promote camaraderie and teamwork in summer and fall so that it pays off in the spring. I also personally know of at least a half a dozen public school programs in NoVa that have exactly the same set-up for Nov-Feb that PVI has. I think the WCAC probably just took its rules from the area's public school conference rules and altered slightly here and there to fit the needs of the conference. I don't think that the WCAC offers any advantage in any of this.

Jimmy Linza has been named head varsity baseball coach at Hayfield Secondary School.

Just to close the loop, I was told yesterday that both Emerson and Gallagher are staying put, at least for this year. Who knows about 2011?

As anyone heard anything on the TC Williams front? They look to have a pretty good squad returning next year. I know there were rumors that Gallagher was coming over, but he's staying put at Ireton. Anyone?

I'm pretty sure he is staying at Ireton. But you never know. What about Yorktown? Did they hire?

Yorktown was having interviews earlier in the week from what I've heard. With the right coach, I think they can get a pretty good program going over there.

Agree about Yorktown.