Reds Ready For First Season Without Votto; Can Young Stars Step Up And Take Next Step?

 Reds Ready For First Season Without Votto; Can Young Stars Step Up And Take Next Step?

The Cincinnati Reds will face the Washington Nationals today in the 2024 MLB Season opener at Great American Ball Park today.

The Reds are hoping for another jump in records, as the Reds were +20 this past season in the win column, almost making the playoffs in the process and rejuvenating the Reds fans for the future.  

Frankie Montas is the guy who will open up the season as the starting pitcher in today's opener. He is 37-35 in his career with a 3.90 ERA over that time.

While you will see the huge crowds at the parade, the energy going crazy all across the Riverfront area in the Nati, there is one familiar face you will not see.

Joey Votto, one of Cincinnati great all-time players, has taken his talents to Toronto after 15+ seasons gracing the Reds fans with his talents and leadership.

That role has been given to the newest possible superstar of the MLB: 

Elly DeLa Cruz

DeLa Cruz is one of the most electrifying players in all of baseball.  He has said himself that he is the "fastest player in the game." 

Add his lighting rod of a arm, his range, his suprising power, his signature smile & youthful exuberance, & his free style play (which reminds you of a Ken Griffey Jr.) and you have the next superstar of Cincinnati. 

And while he's not quite a superstar, as he struggled a bit during the 2nd half of the season, he's putting in the work only elite players do. That also goes for his articulation and speaking of the English language, which DeLaCruz has already shown in his most recent press conference in Cincy recently. 

            Photo COURTESY OF:  WCPO - Channel 9 

However DeLa Cruz has some riders with him as Will Benson, Johnathan India, Christian Encarnacion Strand, and Ryan Steer are all back and ready to do some work. 

The Reds added some new additions, with Montas on that list.

If the pitching can hold up, this Reds team should be right in the thick of the playoff race. And another key issue is the 1st month of the season.

The Reds have had terrible starts the last two seasons, which have basically wiped any chance of getting to a playoff spot.

If the Reds can start better and stay in contention after the 1st two months, watch out. 

We do like the Reds today 4-2 in the Season opener.

Follow us as we follow the Cincinnati Reds and Dayton Dragons all season long.

10 Coaches To Watch For as Trotwood, Northridge, Clark State Jobs Open Up

10+ Coaches To Watch For as Trotwood, Northridge, Clark State Women, Other Jobs Open Up 

 With March Madness at a frenzy, the coaching carousel has once again hit full swing with a variety of coaching opportunities around the Miami Valley.

With the likes of Trotwood men and womens varsity hoops jobs currently open, Northridge mens job in full swing, and Clark State women's job recently vacated, here are some of the possible candidates and their S.E.Live365 Odds to grab one of the available coaching jobs offered this spring. 

NOTE:  We don't have any inside information. These are candidates who WE FEEL ARE THE HOTTEST COACHES IN THE AREA based on what they have done over the course of their careers. 

Here are the list. 

Al Powell - Trotwood Assistant 

Powell was running the show for a solid portion of the season as legendary coach Peter Pullen was out with health issues. Powell is Pullen right hand man, but now that Pullen will not return.                            Is it time for Powell to lead his own charge?  S.E.Live Odds: 5-1

Dre Yates - Trotwood Assistant Coach 

Yates is a local hoop legend who is getting serious about leading a program. 

He was a champion at the High School and college levels, and even in his stints overseas. 

His training and development has helped him navigate towards the top of the "Up Next" young group of guys who are headed to be coaches. He also got some valuable experience when Pullen went down with health problems.                   S.E.Live Odds: 5-1 

Ron Brooks - Dunbar Assistant

Brooks has been a assistant coach for years now as he currently sits on Tony Dixons' staff at Dunbar.  They have won the City 4 years straight. Brooks was on multiple staffs over the course of his career.  

He has a great repoire with the next generation and has elevated his coaching skills and now sits in a position to possibly take over a program. His development skillset and offensive awareness sets him apart.                                                             S.E.Live Odds: 5-1 

Carl Blanton - Trotwood Assistant

Blanton has been a long time assistant in the Trotwood community, and has the most equity in the program aside from the legends and alumni.

Blanton may not be the first pick, but he's definitely a popular pick in Trotwood and has shown his work ethic, consistency and availability, year in, year out.                                                                 S.E.Live Odds: 7-1 

Allen Spears - Northmont Assistant 

Spears, who was a head coach at Ponitz before leaving, has had a nice year at Northmont.  

Spears, a former Patterson hoop legend, led Ponitz to their best record ever and also had guys get opportunities to play at the next level, such as Dayjuan Anderson and others. 

Spears is a veteran coach and would be ready to step in if the right job arises.                                           S.E.Live Odds: 7-1

Chris Wright - Flyght Academy Coach

Wright, who is another Rams alum, is busy developing his own program, but he still is a intriguing possibility. 

He has decided to get into the coaching network and develop as a rising coach, so Trotwood would be a natural location for him to do that.

 However with the Flyght Academy on the rise, would he leave that to head to his alma mater to lead them back to Championship heights?

Highly unlikely at this point. But Wright back at Trotwood is always a intriguing option, and as long as Wright is around, the topic will be talked about.   S.E.Live Odds: 50-1 

Chuck Taylor - No coaching last season

Taylor was the head coach at Dunbar in the 2020 season, and is still a name that reasonates within the coaching network as a guy who could grab another spot within the next few years.    

Taylor was at Dunbar in 2020 as the head coach.         S.E.Live Odds: 15-1 

Troy Lewis - Centerville Assistant 

Lewis has been one of the masterminds behind the Elks great run over the last 4 years. The Purdue legend has been the defensive expert to the Elks punishing defense which has led them to 4 consecutive State semifinal berths and a Title in 2022. 

While Lewis is happy and firm at Centerville, he is one of the top assistant coaches in all of Ohio.      S.E.Live Odds: 25-1 

Quinton Alstork - Clark State Head Coach 

Alstork had a wonderful season in his first year at the college level, as he led Clark State to their best record ever, all the while nearly getting them to the Regional Tournament.  

While Alstork is happy where he is, he was under the Rocky Regime in Trotwood before he headed to Clark State.                                                             S.E.Live Odds: 25-1 

Anthony Parker - West Carrollton Dual Coach

While Parker is entrenched into a role of a lifetime (Dual coach - football & basketball) at West Carrollton, his name has popped up as a candidate merely because Parker has a business in Trotwood, coached there previously, and has completely ressurected a West Carrollton basketball program. 

He also was under the Rocky Rockhold Regime, who was the coach who got the Rams their first ever Basketball State title.

Parker is not a real option, but his meteoric rise as a coach over the years merits a real look. Is Parker the guy who could take the Rams back to promience ?                                                              S.E.Live Odds: 25-1 

Donovan Brown, Stivers Assistant Coach 

Brown, who was a hot head coach candidate in DPS the least few years, is now in the forefront for a few more opportunities coming up.

Brown was nearly a head coach last year, but Porter was given the opportunity at Stivers.  

Don't be suprised to see the former Wolverine star at a head coaching level sooner than later. Brown is a leader of men and has coached for some years now on different staffs across the city.                           S.E.Live Odds: 5-1 

 

Sam Anderson, Trotwood Assistant 

Anderson, who took a step back last season, is still one of the guys who could be ready to take a head coaching spot sooner than later. 

 While Anderson is focused on his sons football development at Cincinnati, he also has another son who is coming up the ladder and has a elite group of hoopers with them.                                                         S.E.Live Odds: 10-1 

Dwayne Hansbro - Oakwood Assistant 

Hansbro has really continued to develop into a top coach, and has been on a few different coaching staffs in his career. 

He is currently on the Oakwood staff, and had a very good season with the JV team along with being a key contributor as a coach with the varsity team, which won the SWBL once again.                     S.E.Live Odds: 7-1 

Dwayne "Wolfy" Hutchinson 

"Coach Wolf"  as he is affectionately known as, could also be a candidate as he took the Thurgood Marshall Lady Cougars to 3 consecutive Dayton Public School Titles and a Sectional Title shot to boot.  

He also changed a culture that was not nearly at the level that it is now. With 4 girls headed to college next year to hoop,  "Coach Wolf" has shown he has what it takes to develop a budding organization. 

With Trotwood girls on the rise in the coming years, will Trotwood make a leap for one of the top coaches in HS girls hoops in the Miami Valley?

While Hutchinson is firm in his spot at Thurgood, what he has done has been a revelation for DPS Athletics and will not go unnoticed by other schools around the Miami Valley.                                    S.E.Live Odds: 10-1 

While there are a few more names that could be on the list, don't be suprised if these names end up with some head varsity coaching jobs somewhere this season. 

Follow @SELive365 on the journey.