SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Boys Varsity Soccer Iconic soccer coach Dickie Smith out at T.L. Hanna

Boy, something wreaks in Anderson County and it isn't from La France or Starr! I would say that Anderson 5 Superintendent Betty Bagley, T.L. Hanna Principal Sheila Hilton, and T.L. Hanna Athletic Director Kenyan Fouch best "bone up" their resumes because you don't kick an iconic figure out the door without being able to "put up or shut up"!

Now, then, it appears as if the teaching position for Coach Smith was done away with and in these times that is understandable. Same thing happened to me in the Pee Dee region two years ago. However, not to have the dignity (or decency) to let Coach Smith know beforehand that this would be his last season coaching the Yellow Jackets is a slap in anyone's face, especially for someone that started the soccer programs at TLH and has done so much outside of his own high school's realm. Really appalling!

Said Fouch: �We decided it was time for a change. We told him things might have gotten a little stagnant, and we thought it was in the best interest of the kids and the right thing to do.� This is coming from a football coach that was 1-9 at Calhoun Falls in 2007 and a combined 9-15 at T.L. Hanna the past two years.

There is no argument that the Yellow Jackets have slipped a bit the past few years as evidenced by the wins/losses (56-72-2, 43.9%, since 2005). Still, T.L. Hanna hovered around the .500 mark, except for '06, and posted four winning region marks the past six years with a .500 record the other two. I just don't see how that cancels out a career record of 400-251-13 (61.2%) and a 344-179-11 (65.5%) mark prior to 2005.

Coach Smith, just know that you have done everything the right way. It might not have been the most popular, but your integrity only allowed you to do it the correct way. Today's society needs more of that but I am afraid that era has passed us by. Keep your head up and know that better and fresher opportunities exist!

Coach Smith - Hall of Fame
Bagley, Hilton, Fouch - Hall of Shame

Will Kenya Fouch fire himself after making the biggest mistake of his life???????????????????????????????????

Please do not criticize Craig Joyner for being named the boys coach after coach Smith. Craig followed behind Michael Young and did a stellar job with the Lady Yellow Jackets, building on Young's success and earning TL Hanna respect statewide as one of the most talented programs in South Carolina. He is an alumni of TL Hanna and played for coach Smith.

Coach Smith is an amazing representative for all facets of soccer in South Carolina and will be sorely missed here in Anderson and throughout our state.

There is no animosity between the two and it should not be made out that there should ever be on this message board.

Best of luck to Coach Smith and to TL Hanna in all of their soccer endeavors in the years to come!

Wow! Some wild news after a short vacation to start the summer. One question I have from reading this information is that if Coach Smith found out the day after the athletic banquet and Coach Fouch informed him of the school's decision, then when did Coach Joyner actually get contacted? I highly doubt it was a spur of the moment decision or was it? If not, then it sounds like a coup d'etat! Again, wild!

Sweet Feet: I am going to have to probably go with conspiracy...after 32 years; definitely a conspiracy!!!!

Dickie has far too much class to get say anything, but not just in his case, but in many cases accross this state for what ever reason experience teachers, coaches, are being shown the door. I am not in the same class as Dickie Smith, but his love and loyalty to T.L Hanna and the ciity of Anderson is hard to be matched, I am in my 27tyh year at Stratford, I wonder when my time will come...I can site a lot of Coaches teachers Soccer to Football English to Art teachers that are let go because "of budget"

Watch out Radio...you maybe next

I find what I have just read to be beyond belief and since no words I have to say would do justice to how I feel about those responsible for this HORRENDOUS decision, I will let a recent popular country song title do it for me--"I PRAY FOR YOU"

I never thought I would be discussing my being out of soccer but I am. I could never repay all the positive things that have happen to me,my family and my teams. The friendships and loyalities established are things that money can not buy. I have received more than I know I deserve. We have played big games and won and also lost. But it is the people along the way you meet coach against and become friends. I want to say that to all never believe that you don't have to have character and class. You are here to set examples for the people you coach, always remember that. If you don't lead in the right way you are doing a disservice to the young people you coach. They will follow what road you take them on believe it.I do not believe that I am some great coach, just a lucky guy who had good kids. Thank you for your kind words and if I can ever help any of you please just call. I will miss coaching against you and sharing the thrill of the game

Coach Dick Smith