Week 1
School: Clear Brook High School
Years Coaching: 22
How long have you been coaching? Where did your career begin? College\university you attended?
- I attended Stephen F. Austin State University where I majored in kinesiology. Even before college, I knew I wanted to be a football coach. 23 years later I still enjoy every minute of it. I was fortunate to begin my career at Clear Lake high school in 2002. I had stops along the way at Baytown Sterling, Pearland, and Deer Park before beginning my role as head coach at Clear Brook high school.
Why do you coach?
- I coach because it allows me to "fill in the gaps" Through coaching. I can reach young men and women that I may not normally have the chance to interact with. I can be a father figure and a mentor to a lot of these kids that may need extra guidance or a positive influence. My coaching philosophy is "Pray but row away from the rocks." I teach my kids to believe in a higher power but put in the work along the way. That's the biggest reason I have chosen to coach at the high school level. In high school, these kids are still developing their ideas and their ambitions. If I can help one kid stay on track or get on the right track, it makes all the difference.
What is the most rewarding\fulfilling part of your job?
- The most rewarding part of my job is getting emails and phone calls years later from kids I have coached that have gone on to have successful careers and beautiful families. At the end of the day, football is finite but being a great citizen lasts a lifetime.
In your opinion, what is the most misunderstood thing about the coaching profession?
- The most misunderstood aspect of coaching is the counseling we do with our athletes. We spend a large amount of time just ensuring that are kids can cope with the day-to-day struggles of high school and life. They come to us with problems that people don't understand, and we are tasked with finding solutions.
Please share the importance of what your staff/ players are doing for your community?
- Our gratitude extends to the community. We volunteer at several churches during Halloween. We unload truck of pumpkins for church pumpkin patches, and we help with special Olympic events in our district. Its very important to me and my staff to give our kids opportunities to give back and be thankful.
