South, Conway Springs hire football coaches
May 12, 2009 @ 9:36 a.m. by JoannaSouth and Conway Springs have hired new football coaches. South coach Tony Johnson resigned after taking the same job at South Grand Prairie (Texas) High, and athletic director Michelle Kuhns said that assistant coach Cory Brack has been hired. Brack was an assistant for the 2008 season.
At Conway Springs, superintendent Clay Murphy said that George resigned to take on more administrative duties, although he will continue to teach. George will be replaced by longtime assistant Matt Biehler.
Cheney has hired former Wichita State volleyball player Sara Lungren as its volleyball coach. Not a bad hire, huh? She replaces longtime coach Stacy DeVore.
I’m still trying to get confirmation on Trinity boys coach David Swank going to Pratt. I know that Swank isn’t at Trinity anymore. And I know that he’s been hired at Pratt. So what else do I need confirmation-wise? Well, I’d love to hear from Trinity and see if anyone has been hired.
As for Conway Springs and South, both Kuhns and Murphy said they were interested in keeping a level of consistency in the program, hence the hirings. Understandable.
Conway Springs has now lost three coaches after state titles. Mark Bliss left after he won in 2003. Assistant Greg Rosenhagen was hired and the Cards won in 2004. Already the AD, he resigned from coaching after that one season. George won a title in 2008 and now resigns.
I know, it’s a random point.
Any other coaching changes out there?
Schmakey says:
May 12th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Here is the article in the Pratt paper:
http://www.pratttribune.com/archive/x718269500/New-PHS-boys-basketball-coach-announced
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GPOWLS#7 says:
May 12th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Regardless of who conways coaches are Jaydan bird was the whole team last year and with him gone the coach wanted to end on a good note.
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SEsportsFan says:
May 12th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Valerie Most is returning after a year off as the head volleyball coach at Southeast High School.
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Buster says:
May 12th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I really hope he can maintain the standard of excellence that Tony built.
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Joanna says:
May 12th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
GP — Jaydan was a major player on that team. But the whole team? Come on. That’s like saying Logan Dold was Garden Plain’s whole team in 2007. Doesn’t work like that in football.
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NWBB says:
May 12th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Lol. I agree hope new coach at south can measure up to the one or two wins a year that this last coach got every year. What’s hard to believe is he got another school to give him a coaching job. I hear a nice guy and guess that’s enough even if your teams never win.
On the other hand good luck to trinity ever winning even in 4A or whatever they play in. Would like to hear that story how somebody could get rid of a coach that has done nothing but win! Must be real bright people running that private school!! And they will lose there two best players, the coaches sons!
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varsity1 says:
May 12th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Joanna, speaking of changes, any idea who East high brought in to replace Steve Gray?
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Jason 22 says:
May 12th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Joanna, you do have to admit that Bird was a nice move in?? Dold lived in GP his whole life?
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Matt says:
May 12th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I am really happy for the kids who are graduating from South. They are ready for change they can beleive in. LOL
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Joe says:
May 12th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Jason,
Do you know the Jaydan Bird(previously attended Conway) story?
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inthedark says:
May 12th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
NWBB making fun of the number of football wins south had this year is funny considering they had about the same number you guys had in basketball. Of course you will bring up how good your summer team is and I will say who cares about summer basketball. Get above .500 then make fun of someone else’s winning percentage.
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Coach EM says:
May 13th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Wow, didn’t know there was a prereq. for opinions. Guess people crticizing Obama better have been a president.
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Coach says:
May 13th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Did someone (Buster) say they really hope the new “coach” can maintain the “standard of excellence that Tony built”? 3 wins in 2 seasons? Somewhat improved, but still a bad team? kids quiting and failing classes? Excellence?
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inthedark says:
May 13th, 2009 at 11:24 am
It is just funny to me how someone like NWBB can talk down on another program when their program isn’t much better right now. Johnson was doing alot of things right at South but it is tough to win in a league where transfer rules are not that strongly enforced. There are not prereq for making opinions but be ready to have them thrown back at you.
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Football Fan says:
May 13th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Like you said “inthedark” be ready for what you say to be questioned.You stated it is hard to win when transfer rules are not inforced.Coach Johnson’s Quarterback and Fullback/Lb are both part of those questionable transfers where transfer rule was not inforced.Also was part of giving gifts to Junior league players
(South Hats) not in South District. Motto : Don’t throw rocks if you live in glass house should be in effect here.
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Coach EM says:
May 13th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
So if he was “hustling”, ie; QB and FB, giving gifts to junior leagues, what exactly were those “right things” that he was doing at South? Or is that just your outsiders opinion, not trying to be combative, just curious.
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Go says:
May 13th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
It’s great how people come on here and criticize coaches and accuse them of things, yet you offer no proof. If you have proof and are really upset about it, do something about it.
I was never a big fan of Coach Johnson and he did some questionable things as a coach and teacher that I didn’t agree with, but to come on here and make accusations of cheating is wrong.
Give me one coach in any sport in the City League who would not take advantage of the unenforced transfer rules and not accept a player that can help them.
If Coach Johnson paid for the hats with his own money, he can give them to anyone he wants. If you have proof he did otherwise do something about it or quit whining.
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Joanna says:
May 13th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
varsity1 — I talked to Coach Allen from East today (Leon Flowers is going to Hutchinson, Anthony Kinnard to Labette County) and he said he moved up Mark Woodman from freshmen to junior varsity and brought in Joe Jackson, who is from Hill City, to coach freshmen.
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Coach EM says:
May 13th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Actually, I dont think its true that if he paid for it out of his own funds it would be all well and good. Is it not true, that the gift would be influence to attend said school without being in said district?
Influence is influence is it not?
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Titans#71 says:
May 13th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I think it is funny how people are coming on here and criticizing my coach and calling him a cheater. They also belive he made no real change. Coach Johnson did set a standard of excellence for his players. His style of and standards improves his players not only on the field but also in the classroom. Don’t make accusations about my coach until you have been around him on the field or in the classroom because you don’t know truly understand what he meant to his players and how much he helped us out. It was a honor to be coached by him and I will miss him greatly.
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Football Fan says:
May 13th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
“Go” I didn’t criticize only stated 2 well known facts.Also Coach EM is correct ,his money or not can’t be done.Even more so when kids aren’t in his district.Also just explaining to “inthe dark” because I think he has it in his head that only a few schools have transfers,when I know for a fact that ever school has kids going to different schools so some special reason Sports, Drama,Band,etc.
Just the winners get noticed.
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wrestlerdude says:
May 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
thanks johnson i really need to get that grade up in government and u just leave us thatts messed up how could u, u were the best teacher i had and u left watever man i hope u get swine flu im in ur 1st hour government
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Titans#71 says:
May 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
“Coach” we won 4 games in two which is alot better than how we did under our former coach
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Titans#71 says:
May 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
two seasons*
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wrestlerdude says:
May 13th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
titan ur a ass kisser
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Coach EM says:
May 13th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Hahahahah. Youre right Titans 71. Hahahahahahah.
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coach/ref says:
May 13th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Joanna, do you know of any other non-varsity changes as far as city league basketball goes? And do you know anything more about the whole Edward Tate situation? I know that new coaches at south (boys) and north (girls) are usually free to bring in their own non-varsity staff. I don’t know how much of that information you can give out, but it’d be nice to know of any new basketball coaches in the city league
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Coach EM says:
May 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Wait on secong glance. 2 coaches ago, 5 wins. 1 coach ago 6 wins. Most recent, 4 wins. I take back my laughter.
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inthedark says:
May 13th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I am all for enforcing transfer rules at each school. They need to put a rule about a mandatory 18 weeks regardless if you make a move or not and get ride of “special” transfer rules. I would like to see who the good coaches are once everyone goes to their rightful school. I am not saying Johnson didn’t do some shady things but at least he had some enthusiasm for the game unlike other coaches. What coach in the city doesn’t do some shady things. Right now while I am writing this 2 kids have probably transferred to a different school and in the process made a “legitimate” move.
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bballfan says:
May 13th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
In response to Trinity’s basketball team and David Swank moving to Pratt. I don’t know the details, but can we please ease off of the “Trinity recruits” kick. If winning was all that the school was about, then they would have kept their two best players (Matt and Micah Swank) and Coach Swank.
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Coach EM says:
May 13th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
In the dark, do you not feel that this unduely punishes legit moves. I, as a parent, would feel badly for my child if we moved from, say 33rd and broadway south to 13th and maize. I would not transport them across town. It will be abused no matter. You’d just see coaches showing off bowl rings at junior league games trying to get them earlier.
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Chuck Poe says:
May 13th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Tony ,
Good Luck on your new job Coach.Hope everything worksout for you in Texas (I know the weather will be better.)
As for coaching Coach Johnson came in and worked hard to bring pride to the school and players. I felt he had alot of energy and tried to help the kids feel proud of themseleves.When it’s all said and done isn’t that what is important?Someone is always going to win and someone is always going to lose.
Over my years I have seen players go all over from
school to school for all sorts of reasons.Not only in Wichita , Ks but everywhere.I also can’t say I blame a parent for wanting the best for their kids.This town has a hater attitude and is quick to down our own people publicly,then we wonder why the rest of the country don’t think we can compare on a National level.Last year I traveled nationally with several players to combines and one of the first things I noticed was these players all got along and nobody downgraded another player.They were all good and respected eachother for that.If we could ever get to that level it would be awesome,because the Kansas players have the talent.Sorry so long.
Just wanted to wish Coach Johnson good luck.
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Go says:
May 14th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Coach EM-The only way to stop moving schools is to make a mandatory sit out period. Go to Texas, its a year and a half, and when you move across town in Dallas, its a lot different that moving across town in Wichita. That would be the parents perogative-something has to be done, because you have kids in Western Kansas living in one town going to school in another and the Kansas City area is worse of them all.
Coach-Ref. Not sure who got the head job at North, but I heard Tiffany Mack will be the JV coach-I think she used to coach freshmen ball at South with Helmer
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joanna says:
May 14th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Go — Jeanne Daniels is the new coach at North. She played at K-State and has been in Derby’s district in the middle school for the past 18 years.
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NWBB says:
May 14th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I just want someone to explain how a coach can not only lose, but not even be competetive and still get more coaching jobs? I mean this south coach hardly ever won at anywhere he ever coached. Lol. Apparently a good salesman who really doesn’t know that much about football. Some of the stories you hear about this guy were pretty damn funny
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Go says:
May 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Thanks Joanna, is Mack an assistant as I’ve heard, that’s what I stated.
NWBB-Johnson actually had very good years at Sacred Heart a few years back and he’s also coached at the college level for several years. He did have some success and Texas A&M as an assisstant. High School’s love coaches with either college experience as a coach or player, they can help teach the athletes what to expect, “supposedly.”
It has been a while since any coach had much success at South, and every single time one leaves they get blown up by parents and players.
Someone stated in an earlier post that Wichitans are a bunch of haters and it is being proven. Try walking a mile in shoes of any coach in the City League that has taken a job in a program that has long suffered and see how “easy” it is-or isn’t.
Look at the programs that have success, most people will point to transfers and recruits, but maybe that happens because all of those programs have coaches who have been there a while. The majority of those coaches did win from the beginning either, they had to endure some pains.
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inthedark says:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Let’s just NWBB gets turned around next year so they won’t be the joke they were this year.
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I know says:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
At least the previous coaches honored their remaining contracts. Johnson already left for Texas, pulled his son from south. What a role model. “finish the play?”
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inthedark says:
May 14th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Hopefully they will let all those kids he gave hats to transfer. Oh wait, they can transfer anyway anytime they want. I guess you won’t be sending your kid to play for Calipari since he didn’t honor his contract at Memphis.
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Chuck Poe says:
May 15th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Go: Tony as actually a GA at TCU.
Also I believe he was coach at Sterling or Bethany 2 years which I
can’t remember but his won – loss wasn’t that great.
Also ,I was the guy who said we have alot of haters AND I have walked a mile or two in coaches shoes.I was a Asst. Coach at West High from 1993-2003 and we were pretty successful. Also coached at NW with Coach Schartz. Alot of the winning at High School is kids and coaches relationship.Went had tough times at first at West but Schartz always had the kids believe they could and would win .
Now players at these schools feel beat before they get on the field and that is alot problem .That’s my thoughts and I’m sure people disagree but as long as we agree to disagree thats what this site is all about.
Joanna: Sorry if my HATER comment offended you but I see and hear it alot around here . Not meaning on this site but in Wichita and Kansas.
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Joanna says:
May 15th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Chuck, you didn’t offend me. Come on! How long have we known each other. I just don’t get those who hate on where they live. We live here, if you don’t like it, go elsewhere. But this is coming from a perpetually positive person, so I don’t get all that.
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Go says:
May 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Coach Poe I don’t get you, you were wishing Tony luck, now your jumping on the bandwagon to diss him.
My point is parents hate on the coaches. You stated yourself Tony had passion and was making the kids feel good about themselves.
Tony did do that and I was lashing out at those who think he was cheating big time to win 2 games a year.
I do condemn the fact that he lied so he could go to Texas already and hope he doesn’t get his check for the last month of school, but he doesn’t need to be ripped for what he did, when people have not proof.
South had a sense of pride the last few years that that school needs.
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that guy says:
May 15th, 2009 at 11:05 am
CAN WE ALL STOP TALKING ABOUT TONY JOHNSON. THIS SITUATION IS NOT WORTHY OF TALKING ABOUT HIM SO MUCH.
he did wat he did, he’s gone,
the end
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Coach EM says:
May 15th, 2009 at 11:13 am
If you dont want to talk about him stay off the board. This isnt Russia or communist China.
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Chuck Poe says:
May 15th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Go : I wasn’t ripping him as you say.I unlike some was only stating facts. He WAS a GA at TCU and not a Texas A&M asst. It is also a fact that he didn’t have a winning college coaching experience.
I didn’t BASH him,I know how hard that job was is and is going to be. Anyone who does know me ,knows I DON’T do Bandwagon.
I just stated facts and facts are what I know ,see or hear myself.
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Chuck Poe says:
May 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Joanna,
I know but not a day goes by without hearing it.
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varsity1 says:
May 15th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Joanna, i was really rooting for Flowers to get a d-1 offer from someone. Knowing that he did qualify, i was hoping someone would give him an opportunity at that level. Hopefully Eck can bring out that “killer instinct” in him because the talent is there.
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varsity1 says:
May 15th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Sorry, but i can’t let inthedark get away with the “who cares about summer basketball” statement . Listen, the truth of the matter is there will be more college coaches, scouts …etc at summer basketball events (July in particular) than at these kids high school games. Take Perry Ellis for example. He had a great freshman year. But what put him on the map was what he did the previous SUMMER. The camps, the tournaments ..etc. When you have programs like Pump N Run, Athlete’s First, and the Dallas Mustangs emailing and asking about Evan Wessel, Ja’ln Williams, and Christian Ulsaker it’s not because of what they did in one of their high school games. It’s because of what they are doing on the circuit, and word of mouth. I’m not down playing high school ball at all…it’s very important, but with some of these coaches once the season is over, you may never hear from them until next september. Take a kid who didn’t play much because he/she is a freshman or sophmore and you can’t even make a decent dvd for lack of playing time. That’s where summer basketball comes into play. Contrary to what a lot of high school coaches will tell you, the majority (not all) of these kids are being well-coached. Fundmentals are being stressed as well as team play. Players are being developed and the high schools are benefitting from that. Out of 9 city league schools, i would say less than 5 even offer an open gym or a team camp for it’s players. The rest have to fend for themselves. I would say the summer is very important!!!
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NWBB says:
May 18th, 2009 at 7:21 am
inthedark, Northwest may very well win three games again next year! lol. But like varsity1 just said the most important basketball is played in July, not January or February.
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NWBB says:
May 18th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
And I agree these AAU programs only benifit the high school coaches. Some high school coaches seem to think its not a good thing for them. If they are not smart enough to see how they reep the benifits from kids playing for these programs, then we can only hope they are only coaching at their schools and not teaching!
And again for the hundreth time, why would anyone care what school a kid goes to? None of us pay taxes for just our neighborhood school. We pay them for the whole district so we should also be able to have our kids attend whatever school we want them to. People need to using that excuse for one school being good or another one being bad. Plus there is noway to police it anyway. What does someone think the district is gonna have people going by these address that kids give schools to make sure they are living there? lol 259 is worried about spending too much money on paper towels for restrooms so they are sure not gonna pay someone to investigate where a kid lives.
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