South Iredell Coaching Search
- Thread starter BlueDevil1996!
- Start date
Just saw that. Interesting to see who gets the HC job next. I wish Linnville the best as he adventures forward to what he will be doing next.
I just saw it yesterday when South Iredell Athletic FB put the info out. So must of been this past week
Here my short list of guys if I were South Iredell
Randall Gusler: Former Statesville HC. Had good success there. Understands Iredell co n area.
Travis Elliott: Lakewood HC: would be tough pull but Elliott is a staple of the area being in Catawba Co , Iredell co for most of his coaching career. Would be a good hire but can u get him to leave a school that gave him his shot as HC.
Joe Nixon: A veteran HC - been at similar programs and has had success at Mooresville, West Rowan and North Rowan. A tough pull but He a guy that can bring stability , experience and confidence back to Viking Valley. He can handle the challenge.
Rydell Cowan: This one will prob be everyone’s pick. Rydell Cowan is a SI Alumni , Former Coach under Scott Miller. Cowan understanding all aspects of this program n community gives him an edge. Cowan has been successful at Statesville. Will he choose to leave.
There are a few other options I have heard n or see happen
South has to made sure they pick the best choice as they had a 3 hire stint where it was not gone well for the Vikings. This is a crucial hire as Weather creek opens up soon and the future of SI football moving forward relies on this hire.
Randall Gusler: Former Statesville HC. Had good success there. Understands Iredell co n area.
Travis Elliott: Lakewood HC: would be tough pull but Elliott is a staple of the area being in Catawba Co , Iredell co for most of his coaching career. Would be a good hire but can u get him to leave a school that gave him his shot as HC.
Joe Nixon: A veteran HC - been at similar programs and has had success at Mooresville, West Rowan and North Rowan. A tough pull but He a guy that can bring stability , experience and confidence back to Viking Valley. He can handle the challenge.
Rydell Cowan: This one will prob be everyone’s pick. Rydell Cowan is a SI Alumni , Former Coach under Scott Miller. Cowan understanding all aspects of this program n community gives him an edge. Cowan has been successful at Statesville. Will he choose to leave.
There are a few other options I have heard n or see happen
South has to made sure they pick the best choice as they had a 3 hire stint where it was not gone well for the Vikings. This is a crucial hire as Weather creek opens up soon and the future of SI football moving forward relies on this hire.
What incentive would it be for Cowan to leave Statesville? He's lost a couple of good players but they're still head above hills in better shape than South and he wouldn't get paid anymore than he already is.
Nixon is county AD in Rowan. So another why would he want to leave?
Elliot is the most logical choice from that group but at this point it's going to be tough to get a current HC unless it's someone looking for an upgrade, and really how much of an upgrade would that job be?
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There are many reasons why I think it would make sense Cowan leave statesville but ill keep those off a open public form but I will say Rydell is a SIHS Alum, Former Player/Coach
Nixon: I did say it would be a tough pull but as I stated - Nixon has the success and experience that South needs to hire as the previous 3 before Linville imo were NOT ready to be a HC.
Elliott: Like u said good pick since it would bring him back closer to what he knows as he well known in Catawba n Iredell counties. Maybe not a upgrade of job but it’s a job that he understands and knows the area and etc
While again - I’m not saying these guys ain’t qualified nor aren’t good coaches but SI can’t make the same mistake they did with 3 previous hire before Linville as all 3 who were Outsiders (meaning not from this area / no ties to SI or whatever) they did not do well at SI
so they need a guy who understands the community, the demographics and understanding the passion n traditions SIHS has that some didn’t.
OHHH these guys are more than qualified but they are all since out of the game and most are old friends of mine. All have many head coaching wins and state championship appearances
Both Cowan and Elliott played at South. They coached together for years. Could be a reunion if they could make that work. I would think Rydell would be the lead guy. This is a rebuild with all the players I hear that have left. I don't see Iredell (same school system) allowing kids to transfer in no matter who the coach is I would think we would know sooner than later given the time frame.
If its Rydell who takes Statesville as that hire is more pivotal than this one in my opinion.
If its Rydell who takes Statesville as that hire is more pivotal than this one in my opinion.
Dickie Cline? Damn, coach, he’s older than me, and that’s old!
Always the possibility of getting someone out of State. They did one year and it didn’t work out.
Maybe, a good Qualified Assistant on Staff from Lake Norman or Mooresville to be the next HC for South Iredell.
I could be wrong i wouldn't think Cowan would leave Statesville with the talent that he has work with for the past couple of years. I know he has to be looking forward to the 2026 season with this good group of talent. Sometimes its not good for HC to ever go back to Coach at your Alma.
South Iredell will need to hire a HC soon.
I could be wrong i wouldn't think Cowan would leave Statesville with the talent that he has work with for the past couple of years. I know he has to be looking forward to the 2026 season with this good group of talent. Sometimes its not good for HC to ever go back to Coach at your Alma.
South Iredell will need to hire a HC soon.
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Statesville may also may not allow Cowan to go either. I would think the district transfer window for employees is closed. Usually they have to request a transfer by a certain point in the spring. They'll be done in 4 weeks.
I blame Sammy for getting me off topic. But I saw Doug Illing is back in NC coaching at Southeastern Christian Academy. It's a new program he is launching and he was hired by his buddy Mike Absher, who is the AD.
Unfortunately I know nothing about Iredell County football and have nothing else to add to this thread lol.
Why would Statesville make an exemption though? They get through spring ball and Cowen comes up and says he's leaving. Then thay puts then behind the 8 ball heading into summer.
Cowen very well may apply and get it and be given a release but they've passed on him how many times now? So he may not even be interested.
My guess is that it's an assitant in the county somewhere or it's someone way out of left field which seems to be the norm here.
Another thing with South Iredell football is they are supposed to get new turf this year. But I haven’t heard when.