Reader comments
High school notebook: New coach a familiar face

RHS football fan | 9:17 a.m. May 12, 2008

Good luck Coach Morrison, I hope you can keep building on what Coach Giddings started, I know how much the kids respected and loved him. He could get the kids to play for him, because they knew Coach Giddings cared for them. I hope Coach Morrison can do the same, because that is the biggest concern many player have is Morrison's sincerity and dedication. Good luck to Coach Giddings he will do a great job where ever he coaches, and he will be missed here in Richfield, he was the first ray of hope the RHS football program has had in a long time.

Come On DNEWS | 3:20 p.m. May 12, 2008

You'll put the first comment on this board, but no follow-ups??? Why do you screen them so tight??

The first comment is not a compliment. Read it carefully. It attacks the previous coach AND questions Coach Morrison's "sincerity and dedication." It is that kind of attitude from parents that is hurting ALL Richfield's athletic programs. In reading your paper the past few weeks, seems to be the same kind of trouble as most places.

Football Fan | 4:44 p.m. May 12, 2008

To Coach Giddings we as a community in Richfield loved you as a Coach as well as a Teacher. We will truly miss you and your love for our kids. From day one Coach Giddings showed his love and support to our children both on and off the field. He was a very classy coach and we will truly miss him. We wish him the best of Luck in all he does he is the best. As a parent I am concerened about the new coach he had his chance and failed, yes our football program will once again suffer and it makes me feel bad but what can we do as parents just hope are kids come out and play and make the best of it.

Comments continue below

I support Coach Morrison! | 5:17 p.m. May 12, 2008

Coach Morrison may have had a tough go first round, but I guarentee he will be better off this go. Look at what he has done with the wrestling program, he has never had a year where they did not compete well. He is older, wiser, & won't be having to compete against the St. George schools like he did the first go. Come on parents show some support. Nobody will win unless they can get support from the parents and community. Coach Morrison is a great teacher, coach, and mentor.

Best of Luck Coach Morrison | 7:30 p.m. May 12, 2008

I would like to wish RHS and Coach Morrison good luck, I want nothing more than to see Richfield High school succeed. For 3 years me and my staff poured our hearts into this football program, we had some great times with some highs, and lows, but I would not trade the time I had here at RHS for anything. The youth of this community are outstanding young men, with high character and integrity and I will miss them. I know these young men will take what I have taught them, and use it in thier personal and athletic endevors. These young men will play hard for Morrison and he will do a great job. I would like to thank those who supported me, and those who were critical of me as well. There are some great parents and supporters in this community, I hope you will get behind Coach Morrison. Coach Morrison is a good man, he will teach these kids a lot. I will coaching at Gainesville High school next year as a defensive coordinator, a school with an enrollment of over 4000, its a great opportunity for me. Thank you and good luck. Love Coach Giddings.

Fed up! | 10:16 p.m. May 12, 2008

Parents continually drive me crazy. Will you ever grow up? It use to be that parents were greatful for high school athletics because they knew their kids were learning life long lesson skills. Now every parent thinks their kid is a future draft pick and they think they know more than the coach because they watch a lot of ESPN. I wish Richfield the best. I bet that if they win every game, some parents will be upset at the coach for not playing their kid. I bet that if they lose some games, parents will be upset because it was the coaches fault! Parents: get out of the way. Let the coach do his job. Let your sons play. Your time is over! Don't try to replay your so called glory days (if you had any)through your son's life. Win or lose your kid will grow. If you complain about a coach and put down another player, what life long lesson are you teaching your son? Its time you shut up, grow up, and put into practice what you preach about on Sundays!

billy | 11:03 p.m. May 12, 2008

I've seen a number of Utah baseball players go to Taft with high hopes and find that it is a joke and a terrible place to live. Those players from Juan Diego will be back by Xmas. Also, to Fed Up, you have the same sentiment that every coach in America has. Parents are to blame for all the worst in high school athletics. Well put, Sunday preachers are too often back stabbers 6 days a week.

RHS Football | 12:16 a.m. May 13, 2008

Big difference this time around for Morrison 2A. I wish you the best of luck coach.

RHS Alumni | 3:08 p.m. May 13, 2008

It's too bad that we can't see the whole picture. Yes
Coach Morrison only won one game in 5 years and everyone said it was because RHS was the smallest school in 3A. Then along comes coach Dave Clark whom everyone else on this blog has forgotten about. Coach Clark was the winningest coach in the next 5 years at RHS, winning 11 games,11 times as many as Coach Morrison. He also won the hearts of the players. Coach Giddings done a great job and is going to be missed. Bottom line is Coach Clark was the man for the head football coaching possition at RHS. He has coached in the upper divisions and knows the game inside and out. Good luck Coach Clark in your coaching endeavours, you've done a supper job with the girls soft ball. Condolences Coach Morrison

Bitter Billy? | 12:13 a.m. May 14, 2008

Billy, why such a grim outlook for the JD baseball players? I think more of a congratulations is in order. Less than 3% of High School athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level, so I think it's great that these young men have made it into that 3%. Are you bitter or do you just need a little ray of sunshine in your life?

Wow | 9:21 a.m. May 14, 2008

As a former resident of the Richfield area this complaining is why your school will most likely have only moderate success. Parents there seem to complain over everything and would rather see their son or daughter be the best than the TEAM be the best. . Good luck coach Morrison. I hope you have no parents on staff so you wont have to be looking for the stabs in your back from within. Way to show your true colors Richfield parents by already complaining BEFORE anything has even happened

Good Luck Coach Morrison | 11:32 a.m. May 14, 2008

I agree that Coach Clark knows his stuff, but he was not the man for the job this time. The parents who ran him off the still have boys in the program and he would not get their support or the support of the administration beacuse of those parents. Coach Morrison will be OK this time around. He is already acting like a head coach and I'm excited to see what he does this time....I'll bet he's older, wiser, and knows that if the ship goes down he'll go on his own merits. Not the advice from parents and community members.

Go Wildcats!!!

base runner | 9:22 a.m. May 15, 2008

The Juan Diego kids going to Taft may in for some rednecks of California. The only Juan Diego player that made a great move was the player that went to CAL Lutheran DIV III. A great program, and very elite! Not sure what will happen with the JC TAft kids...Thats a tough place to live, let alone get excited about!

Stan | 1:16 p.m. May 20, 2008

Richfield's football woes had started before Corey Morrison took over the first time. Paul Messersmith was the coach and had coached Richfield to be a perennial contender. After he left, Randy Madsen took over. He's the one that sent Richfield on the downward spiral that they have had such a time rebounding from. You have him to thank for the poor performance of Richfield football for all of these past years. He's the one that started it all. Corey inherited a sick program when he first took over. Best of luck to Coach Morrison

Cory Fan | 9:11 p.m. May 20, 2008

I as a Father had the oppertuntiy to watch Corry Morrison Coach one of my Sons He is a Class Act and a "Great Coach" and will put the Boys First.. I am happy for him he deserves a second shot at it...GO CORY!!!!!

To Stan | 8:33 p.m. May 21, 2008

The way I see it, You Sir are totaly Right On. One of my Sons played for Coach Messersmith and they were a great team when he left and Coach Madsen Took over it all went downhill for RHS. Coach Morrison inhereted a bad situation including bening in the 3-A Classifacation and try as hard as he did he could not over come the {LARGER 3-A Schools} He is older now and matured and I support him. Parents and player please give him a chance and you will be happy with the results I promise. Stay Positive not Negitive.

To RHS Alumni | 8:57 p.m. May 21, 2008

"I was there watching both Coaches" I Had a son that played for Coach Morrison whom was young and fresh from School and was placed in a bad situation to start with. I watched the Larger 3-A Schools rip us apart the one I most remember that most parent did not go to was Pine View it was a absolute slaughter. Now you must remember Coach Clark took over when we were again in 2-A. I had a son that played for him. He Is a Great Coach and I feel he did get Railroaded to soon!! I like them both. Corey got the shot to Coach So support him and all will be cool.

Stan again | 12:26 p.m. May 22, 2008

thanks for your comment. I agree, we need to stay positive. Corey needs a fair shake. I just wanted to point out that it was Coach Madsen that turned the program in the wrong direction. I wish coach Morrison nothing but the best.

Failure Again | 8:12 p.m. May 22, 2008

"Mr" Giddings and you people that cannot see a "Failed Program" when it happens before your eyes. It seems to me that RHS made it to the State Quarterfinals this year on the arm of Hartle and the leg of Hartle Field Goals, Extra Points!! also the speed of Robinson at Running Back. We all thought we were going to win at So. Summit. "Mr" Giddings didnt even let his Senior QBack take a snap in the Game and the Qback that played had {5} Interseptions and {5} Sacks!! How do you justify sitting a {4} Year Letterman at Qback that got you to the big game then at the award banquit Slap him in the face by awarding him a {3} Year Letterman instead of the {4} Year he earned. Both Coach Morrison and Coach Clark have more CLASS than that!!! you Failed "Mr." Giddings "see ya dude"

to-shey | 8:41 p.m. May 22, 2008

I agree with you Failure Again I also witnessed the seen at So. Summit and was appaled by it you were right on with your comments at lease he did Fail Jesse Hartle because I was there also when he made the First letter for Coach Clark whom groomed him to be his Quarter Back. {could it be Richfield politics} humm!! I wonder then not to Play him as a
Senior Quarterback in the biggest game of his RHS tennent was very low at best that dont say much for him.. I noted that you did not call him Coach but "Mr" Right on cause a coach that does that to a Player that got him where he was this year does not desirve the status of Coach.. And as for Robinson you are also correct the best Running Back.
Go Coach Morrison and Coach Clark you both have more Style!!! By By Gatorman Giddings...

Coach | 11:25 p.m. May 22, 2008

Hey, failure again, and to-shey, I don't know the situation Coach Giddings had at that game, or previous games and or practices, but as a coach I know it can be very difficult making those decisions. There was, I am sure, what he thought was a good reason. Good luck Coach Giddings in your future endeavors, and also good luck Coach Morrison, AND RHS.

To Da Coach | 6:49 p.m. May 23, 2008

I havent any idea who you are nor do I care. But I will ask you this: Have you ever heard of Politcs in High School Sports? If not you sir are nieve and are misdirected. Politics play a Big Roll at RHS. The new coaches have pressure placed on them by certian High School Officials to play the player they may or may not want to. "EXAMPLE" {the coaches kid is on the team and happens to be the Backup Qback. Coach is told to play him even if the other Qback is more experienced and has done nothing wrong at all} alegence to the other coach humm!! I have witnessed Politics in Football, Basketball and Baseball it is a fact of life!! {RHS Politics have Hurt Good Players and their teams, in the past at the present and will into the future I fear!!

Food for thought guys | 7:36 p.m. May 23, 2008

As a player for Giddings I witnessed alot of good and more bad especially my first year with good old cropper working the offence we couldnt do nothing right or wrong he was alway in our grills especially the quarterback I felt sorry for him. and I agree whereas he didnt even get to take a snap from center in the most important game he ever had was sad indeed Coach Gidding he did not deserve what you dealt to him and also some of our other players you snubbed... I seen the real side of you! Have a nice time trying to coach in Gainesville.

Outsider | 3:09 p.m. May 27, 2008

I have read with interest all of the above comments. I have followed Richfield football for probably the past 30 years. I would have to concur with the comment that was made regarding Randy Madsen. The downfall of the program all started when he took over and it was almost immediate. He inherited a strong program with a lot of pride (Paul Messersmith was an extraordinary coach) and tradition and essentially in one season lost it all. Everything since then, including all of the coaching changes, politics, or whatever else is "wrong" with the program is an appendage of his disastrous coaching ability. The program may never come back, but I certainly wish Corey much success.

more Food for Thought | 12:42 p.m. May 28, 2008

wellI am not the origional Food for Thought; but whereas I also played for what some parents think is a great coach. I havent been here long but the Abusive language that was used was not called for at all. Profantity is a week mind trying to express itslef forcefully, and what you parents dont know would supprise you. I respect Corey and look forward to play for him please help put us back on top Coach Morrison we neen respect not degrading from Coaches!!!

Hey!! | 8:09 p.m. May 29, 2008

GO CATS!!!!GO CATS!!!!! GO CATS!!!! GO COREY MORRISON!!!!

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