GIVE HIM MORE TIME: Dan Albano say that coaches such as Villa Park's Kevin Reynolds would really benefit from having a chance to coach their players on club teams and in other offseason forums. THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER |
OCVarsity Voice: Public vs. Private fight might lead to more time together
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By dumping the association rule, the CIF-SS could unleash programs being held back.
With so much attention on the private-public school debate, another power broker has quietly resurfaced on the high school scene and could ultimately make some much-needed changes sooner than later.
Remember the on-again, off-again debate over the association rule?
Well, with very little fanfare, a proposal to eliminate the Southern Section's association rule was introduced again at the last CIF-SS Council meeting.
That's the rule that basically limits the time athletes can spend with their coaches during the offseason.
Given the recent rumblings about the legal pitfalls for creating separate playoff divisions for private and public schools, I wonder how the supporters of that proposal now feel about giving the association rule the axe.
If you're a public school destined to compete against the mighty privates, doesn't it make sense that you fully utilize the resources you have. For many public schools, those resources are coaching and strong youth feeder programs.
Let's ponder football for a second.
The South Coast League doesn't feel it can compete in the Pac-5 Division, right? OK, fine. Let Bob Johnson, with all of his connections, coach his Mission Viejo kids all year along with less restrictions. Let's see if that helps the Diablos make the Pac-5 semifinals.
San Clemente? You get coach Eric Patton and his all-star assistants 24/7 for 365.
Let's see what Jeff Bailey can really do with El Dorado with a little more time and access to his players.
Same goes for Kevin Reynolds and Villa Park boys basketball. Let him form a club team and play year round. I'm pretty sure it would help the Spartans.
Maybe if Kevin Kiernan had been part of a profitable and successful club program in conjunction with coaching a million teams at Troy, he might not have been lured away by Mater Dei's perceived financial offerings.
Just think about a school like Montebello. That school is located right next to the great Commerce club water polo program. Allow those programs to unite and Montebello High would be among the best in the region every season.
OK, what about recruiting? Please.
Policing recruiting sounds noble but the actual application often nets unimpressive results in the murky waters of illegal contact.
What about club coaching slime getting into high school sports? Hey, they got into the game a long time ago and now have luxury boxes.
How about finances? If a club doesn't embrace the high school program like sometimes happens with club sports, maybe the school district can dump that sport and save some cash.
The districts could use some extra cash flow. And wouldn't a powerful club supporting a high school program help run these high school teams that are operating on shoe-string budgets?
Easy answer.
It's time let the association rule go the way of tape cassettes. Let the public schools with strong feeder programs and good coaching be the best they can.
Private schools can and will certainly do the same thing. But I believe unleashing some public school programs will make things at least appear more competitive.
Or at least ease some of the whining.
That'd be music to my ears.
P.S. I believe the Southern Section is the only section in the state with the association rule.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
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