There's been an extensive conversation over the last several years, regarding the use of transfers, especially among "public" schools in North Carolina.
There's one program I've mentioned several times regarding transfers and that's Grimsley. They are the classic case of a school making extensive use of transfers in developing their "program". I'm addressing nothing against coach Brown. He's an excellent coach. But I do question methods in developing a program.
It's one thing to say a team is using transfers because most people only see it on a season by season basis. It's quite another when you see the effects of those high level transfers over time.
Coach Brown was at Southern Guilford High School for 15 years before coming to Grimsley. During his time at Southern his record was 94-44. His conference record during that time was an impressive 45-13. That was all before the transfer bug hit in full force. So, he's a very good coach.
But the questions arise with Grimsley's relatively quick rise to power. Coach Brown arrived at Grimsley in 2017. In the 10 years prior to coach Brown's arrival the Whirlies were 31-78. They weren't exactly on anyone's radar as a powerhouse.
His first season with the Whirlies, they were 9-6, a respectable record, considering what Grimsley had done the 10 years prior.
For me, the questions arise about transfers with Grimsley's record since 2018. Beginning with the 2019 season, up until now, Grimsley is 83-4. Is it me, or does that kind of a turnaround for a so called public school's football program seem strange?
That kind of leap doesn’t happen just by “developing what you have.” It requires a drawing in of high-level athletes, and Grimsley has consistently landed transfers who are already polished, often with Power 5 interest. There are other schools following suit, therefore hurting the competitive balance in high school football.
High-profile transfers like Faizon Brandon (5-star QB) and others didn’t just stumble into the program. These are athletes with options, and they chose Grimsley for a reason; visibility, coaching, and a winning culture.
The program’s social media presence, branding, and what can look like, recruiting style would look like what you’d expect from a school actively cultivating its appeal to top talent.
Grimsley is a public school, but its football program operates with a magnet like pull. In today’s climate; where open enrollment, NIL talk, and exposure dominate; Grimsley has positioned itself as a destination.
Grimsley's turnaround was too rapid and too talent heavy to be accidental. It’s a case study in how a "public" school program can leverage transfers to build dynasties.
All this while other schools' programs are mired in mediocrity.
There's one program I've mentioned several times regarding transfers and that's Grimsley. They are the classic case of a school making extensive use of transfers in developing their "program". I'm addressing nothing against coach Brown. He's an excellent coach. But I do question methods in developing a program.
It's one thing to say a team is using transfers because most people only see it on a season by season basis. It's quite another when you see the effects of those high level transfers over time.
Coach Brown was at Southern Guilford High School for 15 years before coming to Grimsley. During his time at Southern his record was 94-44. His conference record during that time was an impressive 45-13. That was all before the transfer bug hit in full force. So, he's a very good coach.
But the questions arise with Grimsley's relatively quick rise to power. Coach Brown arrived at Grimsley in 2017. In the 10 years prior to coach Brown's arrival the Whirlies were 31-78. They weren't exactly on anyone's radar as a powerhouse.
His first season with the Whirlies, they were 9-6, a respectable record, considering what Grimsley had done the 10 years prior.
For me, the questions arise about transfers with Grimsley's record since 2018. Beginning with the 2019 season, up until now, Grimsley is 83-4. Is it me, or does that kind of a turnaround for a so called public school's football program seem strange?
That kind of leap doesn’t happen just by “developing what you have.” It requires a drawing in of high-level athletes, and Grimsley has consistently landed transfers who are already polished, often with Power 5 interest. There are other schools following suit, therefore hurting the competitive balance in high school football.
High-profile transfers like Faizon Brandon (5-star QB) and others didn’t just stumble into the program. These are athletes with options, and they chose Grimsley for a reason; visibility, coaching, and a winning culture.
The program’s social media presence, branding, and what can look like, recruiting style would look like what you’d expect from a school actively cultivating its appeal to top talent.
Grimsley is a public school, but its football program operates with a magnet like pull. In today’s climate; where open enrollment, NIL talk, and exposure dominate; Grimsley has positioned itself as a destination.
Grimsley's turnaround was too rapid and too talent heavy to be accidental. It’s a case study in how a "public" school program can leverage transfers to build dynasties.
All this while other schools' programs are mired in mediocrity.
