will they pay the coaches???

[Longtime Observer]

Often unspoken in this debate is the matter of fan support. The states paying much better than Florida also have much better/more substantial fan support. This makes paying coaches much higher salaries or stipends possible. The fan support in Florida is underwhelming to say the least. The state doesn't have a single program- anywhere- whose fan support would be considered impressive or even comparable to the top programs in Georgia, etc. Lakeland has long been considered one of the best in this area, but the program has undeniably been weakened by the emergence of private schools Victory and Lakeland Christian. It's not just that some good players pass on playing for Lakeland to instead play at  a Christian school, but also families and thus fan support that previously went to Lakeland have ended up at one of the privates. The big dawgs in Miami sometimes get huge crowds out to Traz Powell, but financial contributions to programs are inconsistent at best. The Panhandle is more similar to Georgia and Alabama in culture, but they haven't produced a true state power in decades. The relatively new Sumner program might be one of the best bets to become a true power in this area. But, I'm not sure of the scale of success that is possible for them.

[Floridaatlantic1]

On 4/4/2024 at 4:35 PM, Longtime Observer said:

Often unspoken in this debate is the matter of fan support. The states paying much better than Florida also have much better/more substantial fan support. This makes paying coaches much higher salaries or stipends possible. The fan support in Florida is underwhelming to say the least. The state doesn't have a single program- anywhere- whose fan support would be considered impressive or even comparable to the top programs in Georgia, etc. Lakeland has long been considered one of the best in this area, but the program has undeniably been weakened by the emergence of private schools Victory and Lakeland Christian. It's not just that some good players pass on playing for Lakeland to instead play at  a Christian school, but also families and thus fan support that previously went to Lakeland have ended up at one of the privates. The big dawgs in Miami sometimes get huge crowds out to Traz Powell, but financial contributions to programs are inconsistent at best. The Panhandle is more similar to Georgia and Alabama in culture, but they haven't produced a true state power in decades. The relatively new Sumner program might be one of the best bets to become a true power in this area. But, I'm not sure of the scale of success that is possible for them.

You have a point here on how much more community support helps pay coaches well in other nearby states. There was a reason APK legend Darlington ended up in Alabama. These schools have been around for a long time and everyone went to the school and have ties to it. Most of Florida schools are new and pop up due to north migration to the south and the new families have no ties to the school or community. The whole blaming teacher unions for lack of pay is a clown argument made by others on this board. The union have zero influence or power in Florida pay, curriculum, or policy. It is run 100% by Governor and state legislature. Even when they gave a teacher raise,  85% went to new to new teachers. The state will continue to bleed any experienced teachers as long as they treat them like crap financially. They will come here, get experience and leave. 

[Ray Icaza]

4 hours ago, Floridaatlantic1 said:

You have a point here on how much more community support helps pay coaches well in other nearby states. There was a reason APK legend Darlington ended up in Alabama. These schools have been around for a long time and everyone went to the school and have ties to it. Most of Florida schools are new and pop up due to north migration to the south and the new families have no ties to the school or community. The whole blaming teacher unions for lack of pay is a clown argument made by others on this board. The union have zero influence or power in Florida pay, curriculum, or policy. It is run 100% by Governor and state legislature. Even when they gave a teacher raise,  85% went to new to new teachers. The state will continue to bleed any experienced teachers as long as they treat them like crap financially. They will come here, get experience and leave. 

Never blamed teacher unions for lack of coaches pay, simply quoted articles written by others regarding the specific effort currently under way to raise their "Minimum Wage".  Those articles speculated that teachers would oppose raises without them being first in line.  My position with unions in any public/government employment is crystal clear, so the clown is the one spinning it to fit his narrative. 

[Floridaatlantic1]

15 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

Never blamed teacher unions for lack of coaches pay, simply quoted articles written by others regarding the specific effort currently under way to raise their "Minimum Wage".  Those articles speculated that teachers would oppose raises without them being first in line.  My position with unions in any public/government employment is crystal clear, so the clown is the one spinning it to fit his narrative. 

Your argument is valid in northern states with strong unions and it would be an issue there. Its just not relevant in Florida. One school community schools that have been around forever can support a football team and coach much better like Valdosta and Lee County in GA than the 20 plus schools in Orange county where they add a  school once every 2 -5 years. The main reason Florida coaches are running from the state is that veteran teachers get paid squat and teaching makes up most of the pay for a head coach. Throw in football states like GA and Alabama where the head coach may not even teach and get paid more and its easy to see why the moving vans are heading north.

[JDHoss]

On 4/4/2024 at 4:35 PM, Longtime Observer said:

Often unspoken in this debate is the matter of fan support. The states paying much better than Florida also have much better/more substantial fan support. This makes paying coaches much higher salaries or stipends possible. The fan support in Florida is underwhelming to say the least. The state doesn't have a single program- anywhere- whose fan support would be considered impressive or even comparable to the top programs in Georgia, etc. Lakeland has long been considered one of the best in this area, but the program has undeniably been weakened by the emergence of private schools Victory and Lakeland Christian. It's not just that some good players pass on playing for Lakeland to instead play at  a Christian school, but also families and thus fan support that previously went to Lakeland have ended up at one of the privates. The big dawgs in Miami sometimes get huge crowds out to Traz Powell, but financial contributions to programs are inconsistent at best. The Panhandle is more similar to Georgia and Alabama in culture, but they haven't produced a true state power in decades. The relatively new Sumner program might be one of the best bets to become a true power in this area. But, I'm not sure of the scale of success that is possible for them.

I've watched high school football all across the southeast up to Northern VA, and in terms of community/fan support, Florida is dead last. I'm guessing that the large transient population that doesn't have community ties is part of the reason. The high school back in my old podunk Virginia hometown with a population of around 4.5K will draw 3K or more for home games, and most of those fans have been supporting the school for decades. Most of my Florida game attendance has been in Volusia, Orange, Brevard, Broward, Palm Beach counties and here with the Treasure Coast schools from Sebastian River to South Fork. With few exceptions over the years, the crowds have been mostly students and parents/relatives of players, cheerleaders and band members.