Week 3
School: Clear Springs High School
Years Coaching23
How long have you been coaching? Where did your career begin? College\university you attended?
This is my 23rd year teaching and coaching, with the past 13 years spent at Clear Springs and the last 5 as the head coach. My coaching career began in Aspermont, Texas, where I coached six-man football. I played college football at Hardin-Simmons University from 1999 to 2003 and was fortunate to be part of four conference championship teams during my time there.
Why do you coach?
I was fortunate to have some incredible coaches in my life who made a lasting impact on me—both on and off the field. They shaped the kind of person I am today, and I knew early on that I wanted to do the same for others.
To me, coaching is about more than just the sport—athletics is the vehicle we use to teach young men and women how to be successful in life. The values of teamwork, discipline, accountability, and perseverance are lessons that will serve them well far beyond the playing field.
What is the most rewarding\fulfilling part of your job?
Watching our young people grow—not just as athletes, but as individuals—is by far the most fulfilling part of my job. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a former athlete go on to succeed in life, knowing the hard work and lessons they learned in our program helped them get there.
In your opinion, what is the most misunderstood thing about the coaching profession?
One of the biggest misconceptions about coaching is that it's all about winning games. While winning is certainly a part of what we do, great coaches impact far more than a scoreboard—they can influence an entire campus and community. Coaching is about building up young people and helping shape them into productive, responsible citizens. The wins on the field are simply a byproduct of doing things the right way every day.
Please share the importance of what your staff/ players are doing for your community?
We're incredibly fortunate to have a supportive community at Clear Springs, and we believe it's our responsibility to give back. As a coaching staff, we've started a new tradition of volunteering at the Houston Food Bank. Last year was our first time, and we're excited to return this November. Our athletic programs have a tradition of putting together Thanksgiving baskets for our campus custodians—each team selects one and fills a basket as a way to say thank you. This is now our fifth year doing it, and it's always a rewarding experience.
Our football program is also very involved. Through the Charger Clause program, we purchase Christmas presents for local children in need. Every player donates, and our seniors handle the shopping and wrapping. We also serve as the clean-up crew for the Kelsea Nalepa 5K, visit local elementary schools to open car doors, and participate in character rallies. These opportunities allow our athletes to give back and understand the value of community service.
