Todd Messer resignation
Mar 3, 2006 6:29:33 GMT -5
Post by Local News on Mar 3, 2006 6:29:33 GMT -5
Fleming County staff, students react to Todd Messer resignation
Todd Messer's tenure as Fleming County High School's head basketball coach and also as assistant principal came to a sudden end Wednesday when he informed the players of his decision and submitted his resignation.
The Clay County native, who played for legendary coach Bobby Keith at the Manchester school, compiled a 38-45 record in his three seasons leading the Panthers. Messer was in his second year serving as assistant principal.
His first season at the Flemingsburg school resulted in a 14-13 record and was followed by a 15-14 in his second year at the helm.
Last year's season was a difficult one for Messer after losing his top player, Presley Marshall, in February due to a heart condition but the Panthers persevered and finished with a winning record.
This year marked the inaugural season for Fleming County in the 16th Region and Messer knew before the season tipped off that this campaign would be extremely challenging with a very inexperienced team.
Senior guard Jordan Fritz was the lone returning starter for the Panthers and Messer also had to replace transfers Tristan Jones and Robbelle Rogers, who moved to Winchester.
Fleming County finished the year with a 9-18 record and fell in the 61st District Tournament to Rowan County on Monday, 48-45.
Messer was suspended from coaching in the tournament by the school administration after a verbal incident following last Thursday's final regular season home game.
The Panthers lost to Boyd County 60-57 in a very hotly-contested game that saw one of the officials make several controversial calls.
Immediately following the game, fans from both schools exchanged some unpleasantries but the altercation remained verbal and no punches were thrown. Police were called to the Den and the crowd dispersed without further incident.
Charles Adams, the FCHS Athletic Director, is among many in the community who will miss Messer.
"We thought he did a super job and he is very caring of his kids," Adams said. "We did a lot of research when he was hired and he is the kind of coach I wanted. He is a teacher of the game and definitely knows the game of basketball. I am thrilled he was here because he re-energized me and got me involved again in the game. The kids love him to death and I definitely think he will leave his mark on the game in Kentucky in the future. Todd is a remarkable coach and I'd like to find another coach like him as his replacement."
Fritz, the senior leader of the team, noted how "it was very hard" to hear the news from his coach at a meeting Wednesday.
"It was a shock when we first heard it," Fritz said. "He was my coach for three years and he always pushed us hard and the only reason was because he knew we could achieve. He had a way of making you believe you can do everything and we would've done anything for him. People don't realize how much he did for us and it was difficult to play Monday knowing he was our coach for three years and couldn't coach us in the district tournament."
Not only will many Panther supporters miss Messer, but he will miss the community as well.
"I just feel that it is in the best interests of the school, myself and most importantly, the kids, that I step down at this time," said Messer. "I am very appreciative of the opportunity I was given at Fleming County High School by Superintendent Crain, (FCHS principal) Brad Sorrell and Coach Adams. I have nothing but respect for the administration and I am proud of the way the assistant coaches and players have conducted themselves. Coach Adams was more than an AD to me; he was my friend. I made many lifetime friends here and Fleming County will always have a special place in my heart. The kids know they can call me anytime and I will be there for them."
Read the entire article at Maysville Online
Todd Messer's tenure as Fleming County High School's head basketball coach and also as assistant principal came to a sudden end Wednesday when he informed the players of his decision and submitted his resignation.
The Clay County native, who played for legendary coach Bobby Keith at the Manchester school, compiled a 38-45 record in his three seasons leading the Panthers. Messer was in his second year serving as assistant principal.
His first season at the Flemingsburg school resulted in a 14-13 record and was followed by a 15-14 in his second year at the helm.
Last year's season was a difficult one for Messer after losing his top player, Presley Marshall, in February due to a heart condition but the Panthers persevered and finished with a winning record.
This year marked the inaugural season for Fleming County in the 16th Region and Messer knew before the season tipped off that this campaign would be extremely challenging with a very inexperienced team.
Senior guard Jordan Fritz was the lone returning starter for the Panthers and Messer also had to replace transfers Tristan Jones and Robbelle Rogers, who moved to Winchester.
Fleming County finished the year with a 9-18 record and fell in the 61st District Tournament to Rowan County on Monday, 48-45.
Messer was suspended from coaching in the tournament by the school administration after a verbal incident following last Thursday's final regular season home game.
The Panthers lost to Boyd County 60-57 in a very hotly-contested game that saw one of the officials make several controversial calls.
Immediately following the game, fans from both schools exchanged some unpleasantries but the altercation remained verbal and no punches were thrown. Police were called to the Den and the crowd dispersed without further incident.
Charles Adams, the FCHS Athletic Director, is among many in the community who will miss Messer.
"We thought he did a super job and he is very caring of his kids," Adams said. "We did a lot of research when he was hired and he is the kind of coach I wanted. He is a teacher of the game and definitely knows the game of basketball. I am thrilled he was here because he re-energized me and got me involved again in the game. The kids love him to death and I definitely think he will leave his mark on the game in Kentucky in the future. Todd is a remarkable coach and I'd like to find another coach like him as his replacement."
Fritz, the senior leader of the team, noted how "it was very hard" to hear the news from his coach at a meeting Wednesday.
"It was a shock when we first heard it," Fritz said. "He was my coach for three years and he always pushed us hard and the only reason was because he knew we could achieve. He had a way of making you believe you can do everything and we would've done anything for him. People don't realize how much he did for us and it was difficult to play Monday knowing he was our coach for three years and couldn't coach us in the district tournament."
Not only will many Panther supporters miss Messer, but he will miss the community as well.
"I just feel that it is in the best interests of the school, myself and most importantly, the kids, that I step down at this time," said Messer. "I am very appreciative of the opportunity I was given at Fleming County High School by Superintendent Crain, (FCHS principal) Brad Sorrell and Coach Adams. I have nothing but respect for the administration and I am proud of the way the assistant coaches and players have conducted themselves. Coach Adams was more than an AD to me; he was my friend. I made many lifetime friends here and Fleming County will always have a special place in my heart. The kids know they can call me anytime and I will be there for them."
Read the entire article at Maysville Online