Louden was a coach’s, coach; heck, just look at him
Bob Louden was the defensive coordinator at Central at a time when Central was at its program’s most potent period. One of Central’s premier formal signal callers, Mike “Mittens” Evans, told me Louden taught him to read defenses easier and, thereby, made him a better player. In the end, the fact Mike was so willing to advocate on Louden’s behalf tells you about everything you need to know about how good of a coach Louden really was. As we are focusing on famous former defensive coordinators, we thought we would shout out to one of Central’s all-timers.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Morton’s Gap, KY: Sometimes, in journalism, you stepped right, smack-dab in the middle of the hornets’ nest. Sometimes, you do it purposefully.
A few weeks back, we decided to rank the 20 or so, all-time greatest defensive coordinators in the history of the KHSAA on our Twitter/X-Account, @KPGFootball. First of all, it is a vainglorious task for us to even think ourselves capable of this type undertaking; but, you know us.
We put up a list and got more affirmation than “fire storm,” which kind of surprised us. We also got around 20K “views” on Twitter/X, which surprised us even more.
Out of our 20 which we published in three parts as follows: the top-eight, nine through 12, and then 13 through 20; we apparently attributed one of the defensive coordinators to the wrong program. Hey, 19 for 20 is pretty darn good. We’ll take 95%.
Outside of that, the general consensus was our list was pretty “spot-on.” That shouldn’t mean it was completely “spot-on,” because there were some worthy coaches mistakenly omitted.
with making him a better QB
We got some notes from former players about coordinators who should have made our list but didn’t. Among the purported omissions was Matt Day, Hopkinsville High/Muhlenberg County. Coach Day has a long and established reputation as a defensive mind/coordinator and probably should have made our list. His omission may have been in error.
Another omission complained of by numerous football people around the commonwealth I respect, and whose opinion on such a matters is as persuasive to me perhaps as my own, was Bob Louden. Like Coach Day, Louden certainly could have made our list and his not making it was probably in error.
We aren’t perfect. We left a sophomore RB off our sophomore all-state football team in 2017 who gained over 2,000-yards his sophomore season and scored 21-TDs. Two years later, we voted for this guy for “Mr. Football.” Our vote was “impactful” as we were subscribed media members of Kentucky’s Associated Press at the time.
Louden may be in Kuttawa, Kentucky selling yachts for Kentuckiana Yacht Sales, Inc. presently
Friday Night Fletch
Notice the picture of Louden (above). It isn’t a great shot, but this guy even “looks” like a defensive coordinator.
We’ve lost track of Louden over the years. Some tell us he is living and enjoying life around the lake in Kuttawa somewhere. We have even heard he will sell you a boat/yacht if you’re in the market for one.
Louden once sold football knowledge, particularly about playing or reading defenses. Many Central former stars and teams benefitted from his expertise.
“Among Louden’s seasons at defensive coordinator at Central was my sophomore season,” famous former QB Mike “Mitten” Evans told KPGFootball. “Our defense was particularly good under him that season, one of the finest units around the Western Kentucky area.”
Evans continued, “Coach made me a better QB. Coach Louden taught me to read defense better and easier, which heightened my play.”
One generally discounts the many ways a good defensive coordinator helps a team’s offense. There are scores of former players with similar stories. Here, this coach helped boys on Morton’s Gap become better men, I was told by several of his former players I haven’t quoted.
At the end of the day, that is the goal of any great high school coach. At the end of the day, that is for what you will primarily be judged, and for what you will primarily be remembered.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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