It has been a struggle for the Gadsden Panthers in recent years on the football field. For the third time in five years, the program has a new coach, this time Jim Hite. Hite was most recently at Mayfield High School as an assistant coach. But he been a long time coach in various states.
Hite replaced Jeff Johnson, who in turn replaced Damien Ocampo before that. The Panthers have struggled in several capacities over the years. The program just can' seem to find consistency for various reasons.
The last time the Panthers were seriously competitive was in 2000 when it nearly made the playoffs, winning six games.
Part of Gadsden's problem is that the play in the difficult District 3-5A along with Mayfield, Las Cruces High, Onate and Alamogordo.
Hite is a strong coach and he will teach his group well. But the Panthers are way behind the rest of the district and it's going to be an uphill battle.
The best that the Panthers can hope for is too close the gap on the rest of the district this year. Gadsden doesn't have the depth to compete against the Mayfield's and Las Cruces High's of the world.
- Felix
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8 comments:
The way that reads is the program was run in the toilet. Hite has his work cut out for him that is for sure.
Well if anyone can breath new life into that program. Coach Hite can. He's there for the long haul and is not looking for the next best gig. Like all the coaches before.
Coach Johnson wasn't looking for the next best gig.
He just found Gadsden an impossible place to turn around.
It's a lot like Deming in that a huge number of the students there are residents of Mexico and commute to school.
Couple that with the total lack of support for the few american students and you have a pretty tough program to turn around.
I hope Coach Hite can do it, but it's not going to be easy. No support($$$), and very little participation, and having to compete in 3-5A all add up to nearly impossible odds.
johnson knew that going in he wanted to be a head coach and thought he could turn water into wine. The only thing he did was kill his chances to be a head coach ever again no school is going to hire a coach who wins one game a season.
He'll get other opportunities.
But you're right, taking the job at Gadsden wasn't the best move he could have made.
Next time he may have to go to a smaller school a-la Ocampo at Socorro.
He didn't do much at Gadsden either, and honestly I don't think Coach Hite will have much luck there either.
It's like bringing a knife to a gun fight.
Good coaching staffs can turn it around at GHS. It's about work, work, work. Have we forgotten how succesful the boy's basketball, volleyball, and even soccer programs have been in recent years. You just have to know what the hell you are doing down their.
I second that. If the kids believe in the program and are willing to put in not only the time but extra time needed to achieve their goal. Than they will have success at Gadsden. And it all starts with their coach and so far he's working his tail off.
Just wanted to wish Coach Hitte a great season. He's the perfect fit for Gadsden Football. He might not get it done this year but I assure you he'll get it done. There is talent in the Valley. Many great players have came from that program. Winning cures everything..
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