October 14 — 20, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune Page 7 OpiniOn The coach is right, even if he’s wrong wish I could talk about won two of the last three things. complain enough about understand that nothing in eyes this week, but with state basketball titles. As a “At the end of the day, Jim Sanderson that the this life comes easy. They the recent happenings matter of fact, until Hoover we didn’t feel the team powers-that-be decide to don’t learn that life lesson Iat Hewitt, I won’t be. knocked off the Spartans in relationship portion fit the remove him before he’s unless they experience it. Let me begin this column the state finals last season, program and we decided to ever coached a game? Is It will make that player a by saying I was not in favor the last team to beat said go in a different direction,” the same policy in place for better and more productive of hiring Jim Sanderson as Spartans in the postseason Athletic Director Karen the chemistry or Spanish adult one day. head coach of the Hewitt- was Hewitt. Johns said in a statement. teacher who pushes the Parents do their children Trussville basketball team. But Reeves was relieved I titled this column based kids who make C’s who a disservice when they I have nothing against the of his duties following on a chapter in the book could be making A’s? complain about a coach guy, and from all accounts that season. Perhaps the Dr. Zack Steele, O.D. “The Matheny Manifesto” Will the bus driver who working a kid too hard. he’s a fantastic basketball powers-that-be wanted to by major league manager speaks harshly to a child School administrators do coach and man. I was go in a different direction. area coach and all-around Mike Matheny; it’s a great disrupting and potentially those kids a disservice in the camp for hiring Perhaps they only wanted nice guy. Dutton’s style was read for anyone with a causing safety concerns on by firing a coach because Jeremiah Millington, the a coach that only coached up-tempo, emphasizing child in youth sports. The the bus lose their job if and parents complain. longtime Husky assistant basketball and didn’t split getting off shots quickly premise of the book is when it happens? The most perplexing and former standout player. time with football. But on the fast break. A decent that parents are ruining I have had many coaches thing to me is the powers- That ship sailed, however, a chain of events was set season in 2013-14 looked sports for their children and teachers in my life that that-be had to know what last April when the powers off that has left Hewitt promising, but depth by screaming at them at pushed me to be better. they were getting when -that-be elected to go with basketball in disarray ever issues and personnel misfit games, meddling with Several years ago I went they hired Jim Sanderson, Sanderson, an experienced since. for the style resulted in a coaches about discipline back to my hometown and who, much like his father, winner who has won a For the 2012-13 season, 7-23 record in the 2014-15 and playing time, and paid a visit to my old high was known for being a national championship at the Huskies turned to Zane season. The games were causing drama for their school basketball coach fiery guy who pushed and the small college level. Arnold. His coaching style not even competitive, and child’s team. at practice. He was an got the most out of his kids. Jim Sanderson’s hiring was more “in your face” changes had to be made. Since 2012, depending absolute tyrant. He’s won Why hire a coach like that was supposed to bring than Reeves and more At first, Hewitt flirted on who you ask, Hewitt more than 750 games. I and then not back up his stability to a program that up-tempo. The results on with the idea of hiring has fired two basketball remember being berated methods? Everything that I has seen a revolving door the floor were less than Jeremiah Millington as coaches -- if you believe the by him so badly that I often heard from current players of head coaches since the optimal, as the Huskies a co-head coach with press release, technically thought about hanging and parents was that he end of the 2012 season. finished with a 13-18 Dutton, but elected to Arnold “resigned” -- up my sneakers. When I pushed the kids very hard, If you remember, 2012 record. Arnold’s style was open the coaching search because one or two sets walked into the gym that but never did anything was the year Hewitt not suitable to the powers- and eventually go with of parents had a problem day, he stopped his pre- malicious. The message made its deepest run that-be or to some of the Sanderson. with that coach’s style and practice talk to introduce sent by his dismissal ever into the basketball parents of players. “Too It now appears Sanderson philosophy. I translate that me. “I rode Zack harder before ever coaching a playoffs. Tim Reeves and brash” we heard. may never coach a game as “coach is too hard on than any player I’ve ever game is a disturbing one: Jeremiah Millington took Just like that, Arnold was at Hewitt. Parents of a my son, so I’ll raise a big had here,” the coach told If you don’t like the coach a very young group to the out and the Huskies were few players complained enough stink that a change his team. “But he was one pushing your kid to be regional finals, knocking in the market for a new that his style is too harsh. occurs.” of the tough ones and now better, complain enough, off Mountain Brook along coach. Too much yelling and What does it say about they call him Dr. Steele.” and the powers-that-be the way. Yes, Mountain Hewitt then turned to harsh discipline was his our society when two or My point is that kids need will fire him and bring in Brook, the team that has Mike Dutton, a longtime downfall, among other three sets of parents can to be pushed. Kids need to someone new. Who would relplace Shelby in Senate? any of you liked Therefore everybody who Tuscaloosa is a prerequisite of congressman who have 20 years seniority built up last week’s is in political office plus to being elected to high tried to move to the Senate.” in congress. It is because column detailing everybody who ever won a political office these days. You see, congressmen of his seniority that he may Mour Senior Senator Richard 4H speaking contest would What about our current run every two years and give pause to taking the Shelby’s ascent to the U.S. enter the fray. political officeholders? First if they pull the trigger and risk. He has a lot to lose in Senate in 1986. Sen. Shelby Who would be the on most lists is Alabama gamble on a Senate race congressional power. has represented us in the favorite to follow Shelby Attorney General Luther they lose their congressional PSC President Twinkle U.S. Senate admirably for and try to fill those big Strange. It is no secret seat. Cavanaugh is also young close to three decades now. shoes? If history is any among Big Luther’s friends One who would and would have to consider He has no plans to retire any indication the usual route to Steve Flowers that his ultimate ambition is probably take that plunge is a once in a lifetime time soon. Shelby will tell an open senate seat over the to run for the U.S. Senate. newly elected congressman, opportunity to go to the you straight away that he is years and throughout the Inside the He spent the first 20 years Bradley Byrne. Bradley has U.S. Senate. running for reelection to his country is to buy the seat. Statehouse of his career in Washington probably looked around his Even though he is in his 6th six year term in 2016. Those seats are bought by as a corporate lobbyist. He environment as a freshman late 60’s, former Governor Shelby turned 80 last May wealthy individuals. The there is a Rockefeller and would like to return as a 60-year-old congressman Bob Riley might make the but he looks 65 and is in U.S. Senate is often referred even movie stars. This U.S. Senator. and realized his limitations race. good health. He loves being to as a millionaire’s club. It scenario could very well The congressional in the U.S. House. He Even though he looks a U.S. Senator and will be costs a lot to run statewide play out in Alabama. We ranks would also be an would be a formidable older than his 73 years, easily reelected if indeed he for an open senate seat love our college football evident spawning pool for candidate for the Senate in Governor Robert Bentley runs again in 2016. and lobbyists and special so much you could very U.S. Senate candidates. 2016. He has run a strong may be spryer than he However, what if Shelby interests groups spendPlease most well correct see a famous the "Harrigillformer However," spelling I recall in my and race for center governor and appears.