Whats going on at Willow Springs?

In the Howell County News(paper) -
Football in Willow Springs will be under new leadership next fall, confirms superintendent Dr. Marty Spence. Head football coach Travis Payne has not been reassigned to his coaching position. His contract has not been terminated, Spence said in an interview January 11, and Payne has not tendered a resignation. For the time being, he will continue to teach weightlifting.
Contrary to popular belief, this decision was not a school board action, Spence said. Coaching positions are assigned by the administrative staff.
“I can’t comment too much on personnel matters,” Spence said, “but he was informed he would not be our head football coach.”
Discussion of demotions can be shielded from the public, according to Missouri's Sunshine Law.
Payne spoke to Howell County News on January 12, and he said he “assumes” last season’s win/loss record is responsible for the decision. The Bears had an excruciating 0-10 season in 2023. They failed to score at all in four games, and even in their highest scoring game, the Bears still lost to Forsyth 20 to 65 in the first round of district play.
The 2023 season was Payne’s second year leading Bear football. Last year’s record was 3-7.
“In year one, we had a talented group of seniors,” Payne commented. “We won three, had some success. Then, we had some injuries and fell apart at the end of the year. This year, I’m still proud of it. We started the year with two seniors, and that grew to four seniors…Everyone knew it was a rebuilding year…At the end of the year, we had 32 kids walk off the bus. The kids stayed around and fought.”
“This is the best character group of kids I’ve ever had,” Payne said, “a great, great group of kids.”
Payne, whose wife also teaches at Willow Springs Schools, says he does not intend to stay in the district.
“I’m a football coach. That’s what I do,” he commented. “I think my hard work had been transparent…and I know there’s a ton of rumors, but there’s nothing crazy going on. We didn’t win games, and that’s why.”
Both Dr. Spence and Payne commented on the way Bear Nation showed up for the team, even in a year that was hard to watch.
“I’d like to thank the community for their support for the last two years,” Payne told Howell County News. “I can sleep well. I put character before winning, and I’ll be okay. Winning’s not the most important thing. It’s the effort those boys gave.”
“We still had people pulling up their trucks on Friday morning to tailgate,” Spence said. “We know that the community wants to be a good football town…I’m a hometown guy. I bleed maroon. [Athletic Director] Robert [James] is too. We both want the best for Bear Nation.”
“We want a successful program from Mighty Mites through varsity – a program that turns out quality young men that will represent Willow Springs and our values. And we want somebody that will bring some excitement.”
According to Dr. Spence, the announcement comes at this time of year so the district can have as much as time as possible and “the best applicant pool” as they search for a replacement head coach.

They should take the heat. This article shows that there has been quite a bit of noise out there about this whole deal. I don't think anyone can honestly say that this guy deserved this deal.

Can't wait to see what this "best applicant pool" looks like for them.

It is interesting that the Board Just rubber stamped it. To much of that goes on now days in all school districts. It's like the Boards are to scared at all to do anything that keeps the system in check. Most School boards just take the recommendations of the administration and follow their orders. I know in the past that sometimes School boards could be full of politics, ax grinding issues and problems. But IMO that is better than a oligarchy of a few power people at the top ruling the roost and everyone else dancing to their tune.

Now THAT I would accept!!!! 

Steven Mallow and his bunch. Colley's last year as well. They played for district titles and Colley's last year was the last time at state when we got hosed in Rolla. 

With Cabool being open and with open enrollment coming, along with a lot of our former teachers already there, wouldn't it be funny if........ 

Be careful with that way of looking at it. Grove is a football school, yet when was last time you guys won at district title? You haven't won many in the last 10 years