Varsity Views | NC High School Sports

David Green coached high school football for nearly five decades — 49 years to be exact.His career began in South Carolina, but he ended up in Wake County as an assistant coach for longtime Apex coach Bob Wolfe. Later, he was hired as the head football coach at Leesville Road, taking over a program that had struggled to find wins.Things changed pretty quickly under Green’s leadership. In six seasons, Green’s teams compiled records of 52-24, including a trip to the 4AA eastern regional championship game in 2007. It was a period when Wake County football stepped up its game after struggling to compete at the state level for a long time, and Leesville Road was a big part of that change.Green left Leesville Road and Wake County to take over as the head coach at Williams in Alamance County. He later returned to Wake County as the head coach at Enloe, then at Green Hope, which was his last stop before retirement.His career as a head coach in North Carolina helped Green establish a reputation of turning around struggling programs. He found success at every stop.Though his time as a coach is done, Green has not stepped away from high school sports. In retirement, he is hosting his own podcast — “Did I Ever Tell You About…?” The podcast is about experiences and stories Green recalls from his 49 years on the sidelines. He’s a great storyteller, too.In this interview, we discuss Green’s new podcast, his time as a high school coach, and his thoughts on how high school sports have evolved over the past 50 years. He’s concerned about the direction high school football is headed for many reasons.* Did I Ever Tell You About? on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.varsitync.com

The annual N.C. Coaches Association clinic and all-star games are scheduled for next week in Greensboro.Several thousand coaches are expected to gather in Greensboro for the multi-day event, and dozens of athletes will participate in basketball and soccer all-star games on Monday and Tuesday.Ahead of the event, I invited NCCA executive secretary and clinic director Joe Franks onto the Varsity Views podcast to talk about how they plan the clinic each year, tips & tricks for coaches looking to avoid long lines, how players and coaches are selected for the all-star games, what happens when a replacement player is needed, and more.Enjoy this bonus episode of the Varsity Views podcast, and we’ll be back next week with our regular episode.Want to buy tickets to the all-star games? Go to EastWestAllStars.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.varsitync.com

In the first-ever episode of the Varsity Views Podcast, we’re tackling one of the most significant issues in North Carolina high school sports: coaches’ pay.Sen. Sophia Chitlik (Durham) joined the show to discuss her bill that would set aside $11 million in tax revenue from sports betting to ensure all full-time middle and high school coaches in North Carolina can make at least $3,000 in supplemental income for their work.Right now, at least 77 school districts have average coaching supplements that are below the $3,000 threshold.Sen. Chitlik discussed why she believes this bill is essential, the bipartisan support it has, where it stands in the legislative process, and why she thinks investing in high school sports (and coaches) is essential for the community.Side Note: Sen. Chitlik’s district was significantly impacted by flooding in early July. If you’d like to assist the nearly 100 people who were displaced and the many others who suffered property damage, the senator recommends Day One Relief Fund and Triangle Mutual Aid.Clayton QB Aiden Smalls flips to NC StateAiden Smalls is a talented, dual-threat quarterback at Clayton High School who passed for nearly 2,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season as a junior.Smalls originally committed to Rice, he says, because they promised a shot at playing quarterback, his preferred position. However, after an official visit to NC State, Smalls flipped his commitment. He won’t be playing quarterback for the Wolfpack, but he still believes he will be a playmaker.Got suggestions?Let us know what you think about the podcast, share your ideas for future episodes, or make recommendations for stories and guests. Email Nick Stevens at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.Subscribe to the Varsity Views Podcast on your favorite podcast platform and the Varsity NC YouTube page. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.varsitync.com

A key component of the Varsity NC Sustack I've launched is the Varsity Views Podcast.This podcast will be an interview podcast. I’ll talk to newsmakers in high school sports, whether that’s athletes who have achieved something notable or committed to a school, coaches who are going above and beyond, administrators working on high school sports policy, or others who are impacting high school athletics.I’ll also feature discussions with reporters and journalists at media outlets across the state. My goal is to help shine a spotlight on the work being done by members of the media to showcase high school sports. There are fewer and fewer outlets investing in high school sports coverage, so the more attention we can give to the work that does exist, the more likely that investment is to continue.I also want to include guests who work in fields that are adjacent to high school athletics, or athletics in general, who can provide helpful information for athletes, parents, and coaches.My goal is to publish this podcast once per week, with sporadic bonus episodes as needed. The podcast is free, and you can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or watch it on YouTube. Some bonus content may be for Varsity NC subscribers, though.Complete transparency: It may take a few weeks to figure out the best cadence for publishing new shows. Right now, I plan to publish a new show on Wednesdays. That could change, though.I also want to make this podcast interactive. Tell me what topics you want to hear discussed, suggest interviews, or give me feedback about what you do or don’t like about the podcast. I promise I’ll read every message you send to me.In the meantime, be sure to follow me on social media:* Twitter/X* Instagram* Facebook* TikTok* YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.varsitync.com