INSIDE: Meet your thsca president Coach John Snelson
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TEXAS COACH - (ISSN 0040-4241) - Copyright 2024 Texas High School Coaches’ Association, Inc.
PUBLISHER
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ASSOCIATION, INC.
PUBLISHING/EDITORIAL OFFICES:
2553 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD SAN MARCOS, TX 78666-5924
web: www.thsca.com
Subscriptions: Annual subscription to TEXAS COACH for members of the Texas High School Coaches Association is $20.00, which is included in the THSCA membership dues. For non-members, digital versions of the magazine may be accessed for free at www.thsca.com.
Single copies are $5.00 per current volume. TEXAS COACH is published monthly except in June, July, and August and is dated the first of the publication month, although it is mailed around the 10th of the publication month.
Change of address: Request for change of address must reach us 30 days before the date of issue with which it is to take effect. Duplicate copies cannot be sent to replace those undelivered through failure to send advance notice. Email change of address notice to admin@thsca.com or members can go online and make the change in your member portal profile at www.thsca.com.
Periodicals Postage Paid at San Marcos, TX & additional entries. “All rights reserved”. (USPS 540-600).
POSTMASTER send address change to:
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ASSOCIATION P.O. Drawer 1138 SAN MARCOS, TX 78667-1138
Printed by Capital Printing Co in Austin, Texas.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JOE MARTIN joemartin@thsca.com
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
GLEN WEST glenwest@thsca.com
Chief Operating Officer of THSCA BRIAN POLK brianpolk@thsca.com
Chief Operating Officer of THSCEF
LIBBY PACHECO libbypacheco@thsca.com
Director of Publications & Technology BECKY ADAMS beckyadams@thsca.com
Director of Administration
MARGARET BEYER margaretbeyer@thsca.com
Director of Media & Marketing
ANNA BUCKALEW annabuckalew@thsca.com
Director of Exhibits & Sponsorships MOLLY FLY mollyfly@thsca.com
Director of Membership
ALLIE HERRMANN allieherrmann@thsca.com
SHERYL HONEYCUTT sherylhoneycutt@thsca.com
Director of Hotels & Hospitality
CHELSEA MILLER chelseamiller@thsca.com
Director of Finance & Accounting
KEVIN SMITH kevinsmith@thsca.com
Director of Public Relations & Awards
TYLER WATTS tylerwatts@thsca.com
thsca OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS -
Finance: Sterling Doty, Dave Henigan, B.J. Gotte, *Kendall Miller, John Snelson, Drew Sanders
Bylaws: Chip Darden, *Chad Dunnam, Joe Hubbard, Todd Quick, Shaun McDowell, Leo Mireles
Ethics: Chris Cochran, *LaQueisha Dickerson, Clint Hartman, Don Hyde, Marvin Sedberry Jr., Fred Staugh
Policy: Jerry Carpentier, Josh Gibson, Brian Randle, *Aaron Roan, Jacob Thompson, Todd Winfrey
Magazine: Kevin Crane, Jeff Ellison, Reuben Farias, Allen Gratts, *Lance Moffett, Juan Morales
Hall of Honor: Dub Farris, Gary Joseph, *Johnny Taylor, Allen Wilson
*Denotes Chair BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMITTEES for 2024-2025:
Director-Elects & Alternates:
DIRECTOR-ELECTS
Region 1 – Andy Cavalier, Canadian; Region 2 – Casey Pearce, Breckenridge; Region 3 – Josh Gibson, Pleasant Grove; Region 4 – Michael Pry, El Paso Coronado; Region 5 – Brian Randle, Randle; Region 6 – Don Hyde, La Vega; Region 7 – Ben Bitner, CC Veterans Memorial; Region 8 – Eddie Salas, San Antonio Harlan;
1ST ALTERNATES
Region 1 – Jason Richards, Muleshoe; Region 2 – Sammy Burnett Brownwood; Region 3 – Marcus Shavers, North Forney; Region 4 – Daren Walker, El Paso Franklin; Region 5 – Rick LaFavers, Ridge Point; Region 6 – Clint Fuller, Kilgore; Region 7 – David Sanchez, Laredo United; Region 8 – Tony Salazar, Westlake;
2nd ALTERNATES
Region 1 – Aaron Dunnam, Dumas; Region 2 – Mike Reed, Gordon; Region 3 – Antonio Wiley, Coppell; Region 4 – Frank Maldonado, Midl. Legacy; Region 5 – Travis Reeve, El Campo; Region 6 – Shane Tolleson, Waxahachie; Region 7 – JC Ramirez, Jr., Veterans Memorial; Region 8 – Doug Warren, Wimberley;
chip darden region 1 - lub. cooper
chad dunnam region 1 - amarillo
kendall miller past-Pres - emerson
drew sanders Pres-elect - vandegrift
john snelson President - dickinson
dave henigan region 3 - denton ryan
sterling doty region 2 - stephenville
aaron roan region 2
kevin crane region 2 - midway
todd winfrey region 1 - canyon
clint hartman region 4 - midl. legacy
fred staugh region 4 - monahans
marvin sedberry jr. region 3
josh gibson (interim) region
allen gratts
b.j. gotte (interim) region 5 - pearland
laqueisha dickerson region 5 - timberview
shaun mcdowell region
brian randle (interim)
jerry carpentier
cochran
jacob thompson
reuben
2024-2025 THSCA ADVISORY COMMITTEES
ATHLETIC DIRECTORS
R-1 Jason Richards, Muleshoe
R-2 Russell Lucas, Sweetwater
R-3 Seth Stinton, Melissa
R-4 *Jaime Boswell, Andrews
R-5 Virginia Flores, Cy-Fair
R-6 Don Drake, Ennis
R-7 Rob Davies, Harlingen
R-8 Stan Laing, Northside
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
R-1 Steven Ortiz, Midl. Legacy
R-2 Billy Abbe, Abilene
R-3 *Mike Harrison, Allen
R-4 Isaac Wimberley, Lub. Cooper
R-5 Aimee Williams, Fort Bend
R-6 Greg Goerig, Midlothian
R-7 Benjamin Garcia, Harlingen
R-8 Chad Hennessey, Georgetown
AQUATICS
R-1 OPEN
R-2 Casey Pacheco, Abl. Wylie
R-3 Eric Vogan, Texas High
R-4 *Michael Waldmann, Andrews
R-5 Robert Kelly, Pasadena
R-6 Daniel Gonzalez, Longview
R-7 Hector Castaneda Jr., Harl. South
R-8 Kari Brothers, Northside
BASEBALL
R-1 Thomas Brockman, Idalou
R-2 Allen McGee, Graham
R-3 Josh Wheeler, Muenster
R-4 Juan Orozco, EP Coronado
R-5 *Corey Cephus, Cy-Ranch
R-6 Matthew Anderson, Franklin
R-7 Adrian Alaniz, Sinton
R-8 Tom Alfieri, SA Churchill
BOYS BASKETBALL
R-1 Jason Pillion, Amarillo
R-2 *C.J. Villegas, Brady
R-3 Ty Tabor, Krum
R-4 Jason Archibald, Wink
R-5 Danny Russell, Friendswood
R-6 Jake Russ, Franklin
R-7 Sean Armstrong, G. Portland
R-8 Andrew Brewer, Alamo Heights
At-Large Samuel Benitez, North Shore
GIRLS BASKETBALL
R-1 Tyler Helms, Idalou
R-2 *Kenni Patton, Electra
R-3 Donna McCullough, Sachse
R-4 Steve Lee, Pebble Hills
R-5 Christina Jamerson, Dulles
R-6 Marcus Willis, La Vega
R-7 Ashley Moncivaiz, Harlingen
R-8 Christina Camacho, Judson
At-Large Brooke Brittain, Mansfield
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
R-1 Jay McCook, Canadian
R-2 Glenn Griffin, Holliday
R-3 *Logan Kelly, Lovejoy
R-4 Alonzo Samaniego, Presidio
R-5 Kenneth Decuir, Paetow
R-6 Josh Sypert, Eustace
R-7 Efrain Ambriz, Harlingen
R-8 Kelly Thompson, Leander Rouse
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
R-1 Ray Baca, Canyon
R-2 Loy Triana, Burkburnet
R-3 *Susan Bailey, Highland Park
R-4 Corina Marrufo, Del Valle
R-5 Jim Darcey, Katy
R-6 Edward DeLaCruz, Waxahachie
R-7 Joey Rendon, Santa Gertrudis
R-8 Rachel Freeman, SA Reagan
At-Large Karmen Sanders, Taylor
FOOTBALL
6-Man Josh Stanaland, Jayton
R-1 Jason Richards, Muleshoe
R-2 Sterling Doty, Stephenville
R-3 *Joe Castillo, Little Elm
R-4 Ruben Rodriguez, Eastlake
R-5 Rick LaFavers, Ridge Point
R-6 Clint Fuller, Kilgore
R-7 Brent Davis, G. Portland
R-8 Alan Haire, Jarrell
BOYS GOLF
R-1 Justin Wilborn, Lub. Cooper
R-2 Jason Hodges, Stephenville
R-3 Charlie Means, Denison
R-4 Paul Bustamante, Pebble Hills
R-5 *Mike Martin, Memorial
R-6 Brant Bennett, Midlothian Heritage
R-7 Celso Gonzalez, McAllen Mem.
R-8 Glenn Phair, New Braunfels
At-Large Paige Martin, Southlake
GIRLS GOLF
R-1 OPEN
R-2 Chris Sims, Abilene Cooper
R-3 Kerry Gabel, FM Marcus
R-4 Shawn Trousdale, Eastwood
R-5 *Angela Chancellor, Kingwood Park
R-6 Joel Davenport, Ennis
R-7 Jennifer Ruiz, McAllen
R-8 Patrick Pruitt, Westlake
At-Large Brent McCuiston, Alamo Heights
BOYS SOCCER
R-1 Hugo Aguillon, West Plains
R-2 Justin Rhodes, Stephenville
R-3 Pablo Regalado, Kemp
R-4 OPEN
R-5 *Ben Powell, Bellville
R-6 OPEN
R-7 Julian Robles, Harl. South
R-8 David Rogers, SA Lee
At-Large Jason Meekins, Katy Jordan
GIRLS SOCCER
R-1 Alistair Caldwell, Lub. Coronado
R-2 Carl Wiersema, WF Rider
R-3 Kelly Thompson, Allen
R-4 OPEN
R-5 *Evelyn Torres, Ridge Point
R-6 Gerald Slovacek, Midlo. Heritage
R-7 OPEN
R-8 Bailee Perrine, Dripping Springs
At-Large Aaron McGough, Highland Park
SOFTBALL
R-1 Styler Haddock, Canyon
R-2 Cynthia Herrera, Stamford
R-3 *Kathy Schoettle, Allen
R-4 Lindsie Swarb, Monahans
R-5 Katie Roberts, Brenham
R-6 Same Weeks, Troup
R-7 Audra Troutman, Sinton
R-8 Jennifer Fox, Alamo Heights
TENNIS
R-1 Darby Norman, Canyon Randall
R-2 *Carrie Castleberry, Vernon
R-3 Sylvia Sims, Frisco Heritage
R-4 OPEN
R-5 Daniel Marshall, A&M Consol.
R-6 OPEN
R-7 Eddie Marquez, Roma
R-8 Andrew Duong, Comal Canyon
At-Large David DeLeon, Canyon
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
R-1 Jon Murphy, Stratford
R-2 Andy Howard, Goldthwaite
R-3 *Janson Head, Denton Ryan
R-4 Brien Burchett, Greenwood
R-5 Jason Haddock, Clements
R-6 Josh Rankin, Longview
R-7 Bob Bechtold, McAllen
R-8 OPEN
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
R-1 Crista Jones, Lub. Monterey
R-2 *Jeremiah Butchee, Stephenville
R-3 Ashley Broom, Sunnyvale
R-4 Robert Ontiveroz, Monahans
R-5 David Pollack, Seven Lakes
R-6 Jordan Johnson, Midway
R-7 Stacy Zamzow, Goliad
R-8 Jen McHugh, SA Reagan
VOLLEYBALL
R-1 Kelly Lozada, Lubbock Monterey
R-2 Shay Douglas, Stephenville
R-3 Jennifer Chandler, Northwest
R-4 Heather Archibald, Wink
R-5 Jenny Adcock, Stratford
R-6 Arden Johnson, Troup
R-7 Jess Odem, Goliad
R-8 *Rachel Torvik, SA Reagan
At-Large Kayla Allen, Vista Ridge
BOYS WRESTLING
R-1 Dalton Clear, Canyon
R-2 OPEN
R-3 *Kyle Stevens, Anna
R-4 Oscar Norez, EP Montwood
R-5 Vinnie Lowe, Katy
R-6 Collin Stroner, Midlothian Heritage
R-7 Donald "Ed" Arvin, CC Veterans Memorial
R-8 David Burdick, Vista Ridge
GIRLS WRESTLING
R-1 *Tyler Frausto, Canyon
R-2 OPEN
R-3 Tiffany Mangini, Flower Mound
R-4 Stephen Scott, EP Franklin
R-5 Nicholas Johnson, Cy-Woods
R-6 OPEN
R-7 Ronald Pratt, Rio Grande City
R-8 Garvin Smith, San Marcos
*DENOTES CHAIR
FROM THE PRESIDENT
January 2025
Happy New Year Texas Coaches! I hope your 2025 is off to a great start as winter sports are in full swing and spring sports are gearing up. The beginning of the new year is filled with excitement as new beginnings bring new opportunities.
Congratulations to our 2024 football state champions. High School football in Texas is the best in the country, so to be crowned Texas state champ is an exceptional feat. A special thank you to everyone at the UIL for putting on another spectacular event, and to the THSCA and our amazing sponsors for hosting coaches in the THSCA suites at AT&T Stadium.
THSCA has a new website - New Look, Same Mission; take some time to check it out when you can. We have several outstanding events scheduled for us over the next couple of months. Please mark your calendar now. Our THSCA Regional Meetings will take place on Saturday, February 1st at 11am. Check our THSCA website for the most up to date location for each region! Attend your Regional Meetings for early access to hotel bookings. Coaching School will be back in San Antonio this summer.
Congratulations to this elite group of coaches: Don Brooks, Brad Davis, Jeff Traylor, Steve Warren, and Rodney Webb will be inducted into the THSCA Hall of Honor this summer at Coaching School.
The THSCA Leadership Summit will return to Arlington on Monday, February 24th. Please check page 12 for all the details on the Leadership Summit or visit www.thsca.com/summit.
Coaches, please take advantage of the THSCA's Professional Liability Insurance coverage if you have not done so. In our current climate, it is important to make sure we are covered. I would also like to remind all our spring sport scrimmages to participate in "Our Day to Shine." I hope you never have to make a Benevolence Fund request, but just know that the funds raised from "Our Day to Shine" are helping people across our state in some of their most trying times.
THSCA Scholarship applications are due February 15th for children of THSCA members. Academic All-State deadlines are coming up for Swim/Dive on February 1st, and for Basketball and Wrestling on March 1st
Again, Happy New Year to all our Texas Coaches. l hope that everyone can accomplish their New Year's resolutions. The THSCA will continue to be a valuable and necessary resource for coaches throughout 2025. Let us make sure that we echo to all coaches in our state of the value in membership to our association and make 2025 our best year yet.
Make 2025 a great year!
John Snelson, THSCA President
NOW HEAR THIS
We are always on the look out for great content for publication in Texas Coach magazine! Article submissions can be sport-specific skills and techniques, or they could be related to program administration, team culture, building relationships with athletes, parents, administrators, etc. Maybe a top 10 list you want to create or a “Do’s and Don’ts guide?” We publish articles from both members and non-members... so we encourage you to reach out to all of the different sport coaches on your campus, your athletic adminstrators, spouses, student-athletes, school administrators, booster club presidents, etc. and ask them to share their knowledge and wisdom with our Texas coaching family!
Please email all article submissions to beckyadams@thsca.com – Word Document format is preferred, and 2-5 pages would be the ideal length. Also, if you have photos you would like us to use for the article, please attach those to the email as well.
Coach’s Checklist:
Schedule Practices
Analyze Last Week’s Game
Order Gear
Wash Uniforms
Find a repair person
Wait for Equipment
Hire installation crew
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thsca february regional Meeting info
The THSCA directors will continue hosting a main meeting site in each region and remotely connect to a satellite site for coaches to have the option to attend in either location. This should afford members more opportunity to attend the meeting without traveling so far, and still allow them to participate, stay informed, and vote in elections. Please check the THSCA website as we get closer to the meeting for any location changes. Things to keep in mind as you make plans to attend:
1. Meeting Check-in: When you arrive at your meeting location you should find a QR code available for scan to checkin for your meeting to help us track attendance. Please complete this check-in form before you enter your meeting.
2. Advisory Committee Nominations: This is the first time, in a while, we have had sport-specific advisory committees up for re-election. At your regional meeting, you will recieve information on what sport committees your region needs to re-elect. Nominations for those committees will be collected via a QR code link provided at the meeting. You can submit nominees for more than one committee, and the nominee does not need to be present to be nominated. Once all nominations have been submitted, we will compile a list, and email a virtual ballot to the members for that region. Votes will be tablulated and the 3 highest vote getters for each committee will be announced. ONLY these three finalists will be eligible to be voted on at the Regional Meeting in July. The three nominees MUST be in attendance at the meeting in July to be eligible for election. We have also eliminated run-offs and the highest vote getter will win the seat on the advisory committee for their region.
3. Hotel Codes for Coaching School: Those in attendance that their regional meeting will receive "Early Access" Codes to book hotels for Coaching School 2025 in San Antonio. Early Access codes will be valid from 5:00 PM on Saturday, 2/1, through 5 PM on Sunday, 2/2. Hotel booking will open to the public on Tuesday, 2/4.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2025 - 11:00 AM
Region 1 - Happy State Bank Stadium, Canyon, TX AND Performing Arts Center - Lubbock Cooper HS
Region 2 - Potosi Live, Abilene, TX AND WF Memorial HS - Auditorium
Region 3 - Denton Ryan HS - Fine Arts Facility AND Mount Pleasant ISD Admin Bldg.
Region 4 - Odessa Permian HS AND El Paso Coronado HS
Region 5 - Don Coleman Coliseum - Houston AND Port Neches Groves HS
Region 6 - Athens HS AND Waco La Vega HS
Region 7 - H.M. King HS, Kingsville, TX AND Bill Johnson Student Center, Laredo, TX
Region 8 - Hays CISD Performing Arts Center AND UTSA RACE Facility
February 24, 2025
esports stadium, arlington, tx
Meet our 2025 Leadership Summit Speakers...
Dr. Rebecca Brown Dickinson ISD coach joe castillo little elm hs
jennifer frazier McKinney ISD
Coach Clint Hartman Midland Legacy HS
Dr. Chivonne Kiser Denton ISd Steve Jones author - Twin Thieves stephen mackey 2words andy riise mental toughness coach
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8:00 am
Stadium Entry doors open
9:00 am
Program begins
Welcome remarks and introductions
THSCA Executive Director Joe Martin and THSCEF COO Libby Pacheco will give the challenge for the day
Speaker: DR. CHIVONNE KISER
Denton ISD - Assistant Athletic Director
Coaching Beyond the Game Award
Presentation & Speaker: COACH CLINT HARTMAN
Midland Legacy High School
Introduction of R.O.C.K. Participants
Speaker: DR. REBECCA BROWN
Dickinson ISD - Superintendent
Speaker: STEVE JONES
Author of Twin Thieves
11:30 AM - LUNCH BREAK
Speaker: STEPHEN MACKEY
2Words Character Development
Speaker: ANDY RIISE
Mental Toughness Coach
Speaker: JENNIFER FRAZIER
McKinney ISD - Athletic Director
Speaker: COACH JOE CASTILLO
Little Elm High School
2:00 pm
Closing Remarks
To access links to discounted hotel blocks, speaker info & registration visit www.thsca.com/summit
LIMITED SEATING WILL BE AVAILABLE SO REGISTER TODAY!
SUMMIT REGISTRATION INFORMATION...
Registration will be $89 in advance (purchase your ticket in the THSCA Member Portal), or $99 at the door. (Registration fee includes a box lunch for the attendee.)
Registration is available now through the THSCA box office on Hometown Ticketing. Use this QR code to access online registration!
All seating is General Admission.
If you are unable to attend the event for any reason, you must contact the THSCA offices to request a refund or transfer your event registration to someone else NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15, 2025.
Need to register with a school check?
Visit www.thsca.com/summit to download a form.
HOTEL & PARKING INFORMATION:
Sheraton Arlington Hotel
($130.00 per night)
Last Day to book 2/3/25
Visit www.thsca.com/summit for booking link. The Sheraton shares a parking lot w/ the venue.
Parking at the Esports Stadium venue will be $10 for the day. Guests of the Sheraton Hotel may park free in the hotel lot.
Coaches
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TEAM PROFILE PAGE
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PLAYER TRACKING
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Download a Game Summary File to view play-by-play game recap.
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RECRUITING
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College Coaches can DM with coaches and players via our IN-APP MESSAGING.
Get Started! Download the free app for Android or Apple, join now!
DIGITAL TICKETING IS NOW PART OF THE FAN ENGAGEMENT SUITE.
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Happy Retirement
SHERYL HONEYCUTT
"On behalf of the Texas High School Coaches Association, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Sheryl Honeycutt for her remarkable 32 years of service. Sheryl's dedication, professionalism, and unwavering support have been a cornerstone of our organization. Her contributions have made a lasting and direct impact on the coaches, athletes, and communities we serve. While we will certainly miss her presence, we are excited for her and Coach Honeycutt to enjoy their well-deserved retirement. Congratulations, Sheryl, and thank you for everything you’ve done for the THSCA. Your legacy will always be a part of our story."
— Joe Martin, Executive Director, THSCA
Sheryl, how long have you worked for THSCA and how did you end up with this job?
I have worked for THSCA for 32 years. I first came to THSCA in February 1993. I had previously worked for the Northside ISD Athletic Department in San Antonio for 17 years and then I went to work for 2 1/2 years at the University of Texas Men’s Athletic Department in Sports Information. I came to THSCA because Joseph called me and asked me if I would be interested in working at the THSCA and the rest is history.
What projects at THSCA have you been involved in throughout the years?
In the time I've worked here, I’ve been involved in almost everything except exhibits. I haven’t worked in exhibits at all. I was the editor of Texas Coach magazine for over 20 years. I've worked on the Hall of Honor, convention registration, THSCA scholarships, board meetings organization and administrative communications. I was liaison to our board and in the last couple of years, I moved to a part time role where I’ve only been working on Academic All-State and scholarships.
How have you seen THSCA grow since you first started working here?
Well, in 1993, we had to have a little over 7000 members and now we’re at 27,000+ members... so I mean, that’s a huge growth! I’ve also loved to see the way Coaching School has expanded, adding more activities, adding more sports, adding more speakers. I don’t think a lot of people are aware that only about 12 people are in charge of putting on this
kind of convention, and it is a massive production! They do such a great job, and I’m so proud to be associated with that. It’s a great credit to them, bringing this kind of experience to our coaches and if you want a piece of advice from me, I would say ALWAYS PRE-REGISTER!!!
Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your career here?
Of course Eddie Joseph was important, I mean he’s the one that brought me to this association. I’m so grateful to him and Eddie Wolski. Also, D.W. Rutledge... he’s done a great job of moving this association forward, and then Joe Martin and Glen West, they have taken this thing to new levels. All of the people that I work with have been like family to me, and we are so close. We worked so well together and they firmly believe in our mission statement of "Helping Coaches Help Kids." Coaches across the state mean a lot to them, and we’re here to serve them; they take that very seriously.
Tell me what makes you proud/thankful when you think about your career with THSCA?
To be working for an association with HEART! They truly want to serve coaches in the best way possible, and it’s been so rewarding. It’s been the most rewarding job I have ever had; and I'm truly working with my favorite people. I’ve been married to Coach Honeycutt for 44 years, so this is very close to my heart; and I’m so proud and thankful to have had this opportunity to work for the Texas High School Coaches Association.
PRESENTING SPONSOR OF THE COACH OF THE WEEK
CANE’S FOR THE WIN
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LEADERSHIP
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
Steve Jobs
“Mastery is great, but even that is not enough. You have to be able to change course without a bead of sweat, or remorse.”
Tom Peters
"A leader ... is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind."
Nelson Madela
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticized anyway."
Eleanor Roosevelt
"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."
Woodrow Wilson
"Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work!"
Ralph Marston
RENEW & REFRESH
"You have to really use your imagination to refresh your daily life."
Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
"Once you put everything in the right perspective, even bad times can be an opportunity to refresh your appetite, your desire."
Alex Zanardi
"Prayer is important, not just as some kind of a metaphysical exercise, but I think it's a way to refresh one's own mind and motive. If you're praying, you're really looking beyond your own personal thoughts and the pressures that are around you."
Mike Huckabee
“When you are creating to the magnitude that I try to create, your brain is like a computer, and you need to refresh.”
Missy Elliott
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A STRUCTURE FOR NUTRIENT TIMING
By Isabel Alvarado MS, LAT, ATC Athletic Trainer at Dell Children's
Carbohydrates are biomolecules made up of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen and are split up into three different classes: sugars, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides (Smith-Ryan &Antonio, 2013). They are vital sources of energy, containing 4 kilocalories per gram (Smith-Ryan &Antonio, 2013). Carbohydrates are important fuels for exercise due to the increased amount they are utilized by working skeletal muscles (Smith-Ryan & Antonio, 2013). Regardless of what type of exercise is being done carbohydrates are utilized, but as the intensity of exercise increases so does the body’s reliance on carbohydrates as an energy source (Smith-Ryan & Antonio, 2013).
3-4 hours before exercise (200-300 grams): increases muscle glycogen stores and performance; prevents fatigue
Examples: pasta, pancakes/waffles, yogurt with fruit, eggs with toast, cream cheese bagel, chicken and rice
30-60 minutes before exercise (50-75 grams): increases plasma glucose and insulin concentrations
Examples: granola bars, crackers, sports drink, banana/apple/orange
During exercise (30-60 grams): immediate source of energy; mainly beneficial for endurance athletes
Examples: sports gels, sports drink
After exercise: helps improve muscle and liver glycogen storage
Examples: pasta, chicken and rice, baked potato with steak
Proteins are the building blocks of skeletal muscle due to the amino acids found in them (Smith-Ryan & Antonio, 2013). Athletes consume anywhere from 50 to 175% more protein than non-athletes in order to recover faster and rebuild/repair skeletal muscle after training and/or competitions (Smith-Ryan & Antonio, 2013). According to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI), the daily recommended amount of protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For athletes, however, anywhere from 1.4 to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily is considered safe and may improve training adaptations (Campbell et al., 2017).
Before exercise: (20-30 grams): increases muscle protein synthesis
During exercise: (15 grams per hour): helps prevent muscle breakdown but is really only necessary for athletes training multiple times a day
After exercise: (30 grams): helps with protein synthesis for repair and adaptation (rebuilding) Fats that athletes should be focused on consuming are PUFA’s particularly omega-3 and omega 6’s such as: fish, nuts, and oils (Smith-Ryan & Antonio, 2013). Polyunsaturated fats are important to consume since they are essential fats, meaning they are necessary for normal body function, but the body cannot make them (Smith-Ryan & Antonio, 2013).
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FORCING THE DEFENSE TO LIVE WITH FUZZINESS
FUZZINESS FUZZINESS
BY MARK MALCOLM NORTH JH, RICHARDSON, TX
“In practical terms, this means that we must not strive for certainty before we act, for in so doing we will surrender the initiative and pass up opportunities.”
― U.S. Marine Corps, WARFIGHTING: Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1
The essence of football is the process of advantage, recognition, and adaption as offense and defense seek to overcome the gains of the other. My defensive coordinator friends will tell you that they are in the business of teaching recognition. Most would say that if they can get their guys lined up to every set the offense presents, they are in the game. Therefore, the purpose of every offensive coordinator is to destroy recognition or simply to force the defense to live with uncertainty.
The answer for the offense is to teach players to adapt on the fly. In the case of the passing game, reading routes. Unfortunately, offensive coaches are frequently uncomfortable with uncertainty themselves. Often the limiting factor is not the ability to teach adaption on the part of players, but the rule driven mindset of the coach. The moments of fuzziness, when a route is still in an either/or phase are difficult for those whose comfort level requires hard and fast rules. A rule-driven offense scheme limits offensive variation because of the need to adapt the rules to the myriad defensive possibilities. The more coaches and players have to resort to hard and fast rules, the more they play into the hands of the defense. I will use the example of the receivers’ blocks for a jail screen out of trips. We can either teach our players that receiver #2 always blocks DB #1 and live with the fact that in the game, this may not be the ideal scheme, or we can teach our players to read the situation and live with the fact that there are periods of fuzziness built into every read.
In the last few years, our quick underneath game has developed into a trio of plays, Rub, Rail, and Switch that look the same as they begin and utilize the ability of our players to read the alignment and movement of the defense. We are able to create fuzziness for the defense, because each repetition of a play may produce different combinations. Each begins with a best release by our #1 receiver and an outside release by our #2 receiver, mimicking our favorite quick pass, Slant–Shoot. Each can be mirrored from a 2 x 2 set, called directionally, or adapted to 3 x 1. These routes are generally either/or choices driven by open grass and physical matchups.
In our experience there are several significant advantages to allowing our receivers to adapt on the fly.
1. The reads themselves are not difficult to teach, but offer considerable complexity when the defense has to rep them in practice.
2. We can teach a smaller group of concepts that have the appearance of many more from the defensive perspective.
3. When we want to go fast, we have the advantage of repeating a play, and yet presenting a different group of routes.
RUB
Rub is a pick play that we put in to defeat press man in the red zone, but evolved for use in the field against multiple coverages.
#1 Receiver
Best release
Push up three steps. You are going to want to come under early, but don’t short this.
Run a slow slant. Settle in the hole. Don’t help the defense cover you.
#2 Receiver
Your job is to get our #1 receiver open.
Outside release
Run a straight line at the inside shoulder of the #1 defender
Motor down in the path of the #1 defender
Get in his way without raising your arms or blocking him.
Then, read the pipe over the top of you
If it is vacant or the DB presses, run a go
If the DB bails, run a hitch
RAIL
#1 receiver
Best release
Push up three steps
Get a minimum of three steps into your slant break and run a pylon (pigtail)
#2 receiver
Outside release
Run a fade up the top of the numbers
As you turn vertical, read the pipe over the top of you, making the decision to run a go or hitch at 8 to 10 yards.
On paper it looks like the #2 will go behind #1. In reality, that does not happen.
SWITCH
#1 receiver
Best release
Push up three steps
Run your slant path until you are over the original alignment of #2.
Break vertically and read the pipe over the top of you. Make a decision at 8 to 10 yards
#2 Receiver
Outside release
Run a 2 step shoot to the top of the numbers
Turn vertically and read the pipe over the top of you.
The Trips adjustment for all three routes is the same. The backside receiver runs a slant.
The frontside #3. pushes vertically and reads the pipe over the top of him at the safety level The decision point is 8 to 10 yards. Again, if the pipe is vacant or the DB presses, run a go. If the DB bails, run a hitch.
In the neverending dance of recognition and adaptation between offense and defense there are no magic beans. This sequence is not magical, but it is successful. We have not found the concepts difficult to teach. The difficulty, if there is one, lies in breaking away from a rule driven mindset to one that embraces fuzziness to our advantage. I wish you the best in all your coming seasons.
24-25 thsca
JOHN SNELSON DICKINSON HS
Coach Snelson, who/what most influenced your decision to become a coach?
My mother. She was a 42-year teacher, a 35-year coach, so growing up with her, just seeing how she treated all of her athletes and how all of her athletes treated her, and just her day-to-day operation convinced me from a very young age that I was going to be a coach. She was the head volleyball coach and assistant basketball coach at South Houston HS.
What piece of advice would you offer a young coach?
Number one I would say is, "Bloom where you are planted." Lots of us whenever we were young we're so busy looking for the next job for the next opportunity, that we didn’t take the time to do the best job that we could right where we were. So I would say, "Bloom where you are planted."
How do you explain the importance of being involved in THSCA?
THSCA is the largest coaches association in the world really. You know, the THSCA is going to educate you, they’re going to celebrate you, and they’re going to advocate for you. Many of us have heard, "it’s not what you know, it’s who you know"; but actually, "It’s who knows you!" You want to get involved in this coaches association so you can get educated, advocated for, celebrated, and get to know very important people; and they can get to know you.
What legacy do you hope your student-athletes take away from your program and their time with you?
I hope my student athletes would take away the four pillars of our program: attitude, effort, toughness, and trust. Attitude and effort are things that we choose every single day. Toughness and trust are things that we have to work for. You know, toughness comes from struggle, and so being a part of a athletic program there’s gonna be times where you’re going to have to struggle mentally and physically. Anytime that there’s change, it’s not comfortable; but you are always gonna come out better on the other side. Trust takes time. People have to see you more than they hear you. So I would say that is the foundation of our program that I would want them to inherit.
Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your coaching career?
That'd be my wife! There is a special place in heaven for coaches' spouses. You know, just keeping the home fires burning, raising your kids while you’re out helping raise everyone else’s kids. You know, they are hearing all the negative things, but just always being as positive and supportive as they can be; that would definitely be my wife, Mandy.
What have you learned about THSCA in your time serving on the board and as President?
I think mostly how big that our footprint is nationwide. Whenever we go to the AFCA convention or to the NFF awards or any other national event, whenever people find out that we are from Texas and with the THSCA, they’re like, "Man, I wish we could get our association like that. I wish we could get organized and do all of the positive things that you guys are doing."
What does it mean to you to serve as President of THSCA?
It’s one of the biggest honors of my life. Whenever you’re voted to be the president, the face of the organization, the top advocate, by your peers, people that you respect so much; it's just a tremendous honor, and I am very very humbled by it.
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February 14-16, 2025
Hilton and Conference Center College Station, TX
OFFENSE
Shawn Wells, University of Houston (1:00 pm, Fri.)
Eman Naghavi, University of Houston (3:30 pm, Fri.)
Trey Brooks, Rockwall HS (7:00 pm, Fri.)
Nick Rogers, Pieper HS (7:00 pm, Fri.)
Bill Bedenbaugh, Oklahoma (8:00 am, Sat.)
Mack Leftwich, Texas State (10:30 am, Sat.)
Jeff Traylor, (2:00 pm, Sat.)/Justin Burke, UTSA (3:15 pm, Sat)
Jordan Davis, University of North Texas(4:30 pm, Sat.)
Mason Miller, Baylor (8:00 pm, Sat.)
Bob DeBesse, Grapevine HS (8:30 am, Sun.)
Larry Zierlein, Clinic Director Marcia Zierlein, Dir. of Operations
DEFENSE
Blake Baker, LSU (1:00 pm, Fri.)
Kevin Peoples, LSU (3:30 pm, Fri.)
Drew Sanders, Vandegrift HS (7:00 pm, Fri)
Dexter McCoil, Texas State (8:00 am, Sat.)
Jon Kay, Rice University (10:30 am, Sat.)
Jess Loepp, UTSA (2:00 pm, Sat.)/ Jeff Traylor (3:15 pm, Sat.)
Jim Gush, University of Incarnate Word (4: 30 pm, Sat.)
Sean Spencer, Texas A&M (8:00 pm, Sat.)
Drew Sanders, University of North Texas (8:30 am, Sun.)
Speakers Topics and updates can be seen on our website: www.lonestarclinic.com
CLINIC INFORMATION
Pre-registration by Credit Card can be done on our website: $82 pre-registion/$92 at the door.
We also accept purchase orders, check, cash, Zelle, or money orders. $80 Pre-registration/$90 at the door. There will be no refunds issued after January 25. To pre-register please print a registration form from the website: www.lonestarclinic.com Send your registration & payment to:
Lone Star Coaching Clinic 1404 Strada Curva
New Braunfels, TX 78132
Phone: 830-885-5415 e-mail: lonestarclinic1@outlook.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Hilton and Conference Center, 801 University Dr. East, College Station, TX. Special room rate $114. Check-in time is 4:00. Call 979-693- 7500 or 800-HILTONS. Please state you are attending LSC25 to receive the special room rate. This special room rate is available until the room block is sold out or Jan. 22nd, whichever is first.
Hotel Information: www.collegestation.hilton.com
Friday Night Social at 9:00 - ??? Sponsored by: Wings & More; Jim Smith, New York Life; Adrenaline Fundraising; and Photo Texas
HAPPY NEW YEAR Coaches’ Wives!
Wow, it is 2025! Where in the world does the time go? I pray all of you are looking forward with hope and optimism to a fresh start and new year!
Congratulations to all of you who made it deep into the football playoff season! And, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to all the State Champions! It is so rare to win a Championship in our huge state of Texas. Savor it. I also hope you all received a little bit of a break over the holidays, even if it was shortlived.
Basketball, wrestling, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, and several other sports are now well under way, so I know there’s really no break at all for many of you. If you’re like me, you know that winter and spring often feel like the busiest seasons of the year. I want to encourage you to take care of yourselves during these busy seasons (and all year-round, honestly). We often neglect ourselves, giving so much to our children, husbands, athletes, jobs. However, if you do not care for YOURSELF, you cannot fully give to those whom you’ve been called to serve. Find a supportive friend, enjoy a spa day, or sneak away for a date night with your coach. Just a few simple steps such as these can carry you far in your marriages, your service to your family, and your commitment to your community as a coach’s wife.
On that note, if you haven’t started thinking about THSCWA Convention 2025, NOW is the time!! We will be back on the San Antonio River Walk this July, and our headquarters will be in the same location as the THSCA! Also, start thinking about who you would like to nominate for Woman of the Year this year! There are nomination forms on our webpage at www.thscwa.org, and you can begin nominating! Remember, it’s never too late to sign up for a $20 membership with THSCWA; your dues going towards scholarships for high school coaches’ graduates! Also, on our website will be the application form and submission process for our Senior Scholarships, available to qualifying graduating coaches’ kids. Watch the website, Facebook page, and future letters for those deadlines.
Thank you for all that you do, your tireless (and often thankless) commitment to your families and communities, and your support for one another. This THSCWA community is larger and more connected than ever and that has been such a blessing. I’m thankful for all of you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Justine Palmer txcoacheswives@gmail.com
THSCWA OFFICERS: 2024-2025
PRESIDENT: justine palmer
PRESIDENT ELECT : Clara Simmons
SECRETARY: Kristen Haywood
TREASURER: cynthia griffing
PAST PRESIDENT: misty houston
DIRECTORS
REG 1: autumn softley
REG 2: Angie Martinez
REG 3: melissa leidner
REG 4: GENTRY STAUGH
REG 5: erin smith
REG 6: lyndsey ratliff
REG 7: rita romero
REG 8: amanda aguirre
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS:
REG 1: kayla henry
REG 2: kourtney villegas
REG 3: catherine faught
REG 4: stacie sanchez
REG 5: leigh montgomery
REG 6: liz woodar
REG 7: courtney reeve
REG 8: hillary moore
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL COACHES WIVES ASSOCIATION
SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATION
THSCWA will award a minimum of two (2) $2,000 scholarships to children of active THSCWA members who are graduating seniors. Selection of the recipients will be based on the following criteria:
1 2025 Graduating Senior who has maintained a “B” or better average throughout high school
2 Participant in a school sponsored activity during his/her high school career
3. Not a recipient of a full scholarship
4 Recipient must use the scholarship towards an accredited college or university, trade or vocational school
5. Mother must be a current member of THSCWA
6. The essay MUST respond to the prompt to be considered by the committee
Applicants should be prepared to submit the following information with the items (PDF format) listed below:
Name: Phone(s):
Personal (not school) Email address:
Address: City, Zip
High School: Class Rank of Mother ’s Name: Father ’s Name:
Submit yo ur information with PDF versions of the following:
Resume (Including: Educational & Career Goals, Awards & Recognitions, Extracurricular Involvement-activity and years of participation)
Official transcript (including Fall 2024 grades)
Essay
Student ’s picture (to be used for THSCWA media)
Mother ’s current THSCWA membership card
Selection will be made by the THSCWA Scholarship Committee
All applicants will be notified when selections have been made.
Submit all information on Google Form (scan QR).
Only applications submitted on the Google Form will be considered for selection.
All applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p m on April 30, 2025
Any applications submitted after this point will not be accepted.
Any questions can be directed to THSCWAScholarship@gmail.com
*Recipient ’s checks will be sent directly to the school on the recipient ’s behalf once enrollment has been verified.
EMPOWERING TOMORROW'S LEADERS: INVOLVING ATHLETES IN TEAM LEADERSHIP
BY JEROD WOMACK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, MANSFIELD ISD
In the high-stakes world of high school athletics, the development of leadership skills among athletes is as crucial as their physical training. Our programs at Mansfield ISD have long understood that fostering leadership in young athletes not only elevates their performance but also prepares them for success beyond the playing field. From middle school through high school, involving athletes and team leadership roles has transformed our programs from the inside out, fostering a culture of accountability, camaraderie, and excellence. Here’s how we’ve integrated leadership development at every level, with insights from our dedicated coaching staff.
The Foundation of Leadership in Middle School
Middle school is a pivotal time for young athletes where foundational skills and character traits are developed. Encouraging leadership at this stage can have profound long-term benefits. By empowering middle school athletes, we lay the groundwork for high school programs that are robust both socially and competitively.
Middle school is where we can shape future leaders. When we involve athletes and leadership roles early, they learn to take responsibility,
communicate effectively, and support their teammates. These skills translate into better team cohesion and performance as they advance.
Middle school athletes who take on leadership roles are more likely to exhibit strong communication skills and a sense of responsibility. These traits not only improve team dynamics, but also foster a sense of ownership and pride in their team’s successes and challenges.
“Developing leaders at the middle school level is crucial for student success on and off the field or court and in sustaining successful high school athletic programs,” says Karen Lee, Athletic Coordinator at Coble Middle School. By involving middle school students in leadership, we ensure that they enter high school with a solid foundation of essential skills.
Lee emphasizes the impact of peer mentoring, saying “We group struggling students with the emerging leaders of our athletic program to help empower them to work collaboratively and share their knowledge of organization and academics as they build their leadership skills in a student-led environment.” This approach not only improves academic performance but also strengthens team unity and develops future leaders.
Brent Turner, Athletic Coordinator at Wester Middle School, highlights the importance of diverse leadership roles. He states, “The highest programs, regardless of age level, find ways to ensure their athletes
feel both valued and part of something larger than themselves. We place an emphasis on locating and developing three different types of leaders: Locker room leaders, social leaders and coordinators, and team captains selected by the students.”
Turner’s strategy of recognizing different leadership strengths ensures that all athletes can contribute, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. “Involving as many kids as you can in leadership positions with different strengths comes with many benefits. It helps to define clear roles and responsibilities, resulting in increased accountability, teamwork, and improved goal setting. It breeds confidence and trust in one another,” he explains.
At Jobe Middle School, Athletic Coordinator Michael Chesser introduced “Town Hall” meetings, where athletes address all team issues collaboratively.
“When issues arise, a meeting is called where the issue is addressed by the coaches and then problem solved by the athletes with coach guidance. This gives our Maverick athletes a voice and becomes a catalyst for filling leadership roles,” Chesser says.
Kathryn Otwell, Women’s Athletic Coordinator at McKinzey Middle School, underscores the importance of communication skills and leadership development. “Teaching communication skills is important in becoming comfortable in leadership. Our older athletes present to incoming athletes the ‘McKinzey Way’ or “ATL: Above the Line,” which is the overall athletic program philosophy and requirements,” she explains. This mentorship program ensures continuity and instills core values in younger athletes.
Casey Brown, Athletic Coordinator at Worley Middle School, focuses on creating a culture that values leadership at all levels. “Building team leadership within an athletic program involves fostering individual leadership skills among team members and creates a culture that values leadership on all levels. We emphasize leading by
example, identifying potential leaders, encouraging communication, delegating responsibility, promoting team bonding, celebrating successes, and emphasizing sportsmanship.”
Building Stronger High School Programs
The transition from middle school to high school is smoother when athletes have already been exposed to leadership roles. At the high school level, the benefits of early leadership training become even more apparent. High school coaches at Mansfield ISD have implemented innovative strategies that involve students in leadership, positively impacting their programs.
“High school athletes who have leadership experience are more prepared to handle the pressures of competition and the demands of academic and social life,” says Channon Hall of Mansfield Summit High School. “They set the tone for their peers, leading by example both on and off the field.”
Coach Hall also highlights the role of athlete-led initiatives such as peer mentoring, where senior athletes guide freshmen, helping them adjust to the rigors of high school sports and academics. This not only strengthens the team’s bond, but also creates a supportive environment that encourages new athletes to excel.
Brooke Brittain, Head Girls Basketball Coach and Athletic Coordinator of Mansfield High School, takes a servant leadership approach with her campus and student-athletes. “I believe one of the greatest ways to develop leaders and great humans is to teach them how to serve. This year, all five basketball programs in Mansfield ISD joined together to put on a community-wide Special Olympics basketball camp honoring the memory of a great community servant leader, Jane Ellen Slagle,” says Brittain.
Regarding the students’ involvement in the event, she adds, “We provided organizational guidance and a general game plan, then handed over the keys to the students with high expectations. Their hearts were challenged to do their very best, connect with this underserved community, and enjoy fellowship around the game they love.” The students served, connected, competed, took initiative, and led.
Rebekah Morrison, Head Track & Field Coach at Timberview High School, emphasizes the critical role of leadership in her programs. “Everything rises or falls with leadership. We use our sports, Cross Country & Track & Field, as vessels to reach this goal by holding the athletes to high standards and expectations on and off the course or track.” She explains that part of empowering athletes to lead by example involves being consistently open and transparent with them, allowing them to make the best-informed decisions along the way. By empowering the athletes, they also take ownership of maintaining the standards and expectations of the Wolves' Track & Cross-Country programs. Her program has adopted the mantra, “How you do anything is how you will do everything,” by Martha Beck.
Chris Word, Head Boys Golf Coach for the Legacy Broncos, uses simulation at the middle school level to display great leadership and inspire the younger generation. “It is up to us as coaches to identify our best athletic leaders and create situations where we allow them to develop and hone those skills in our programs,” Word explains. As a golf coach, he selects one of his varsity leaders to mentor the middle school program. This model athlete, always one of his most prepared for tournament play, demonstrates the details of preparation to younger players, from clean clubs to course notes. Because this athlete has shown
strength in competition, Coach Word feels confident in their ability to communicate this process to the younger generation.
Finally, Bobbi Cruff, a decorated softball coach from Lake Ridge High School, firmly believes in a servant leadership approach. “Leadership is not something that people are born with; it is a learned behavior,” Cruff says. She stresses that athletes must be taught to be leaders not only on the field but also in the classroom, hallways, community, and at home. Providing athletes with platforms to lead in these areas is essential. “Many lessons are learned on the field and on the court with the hope that these student-athletes become young people who contribute to the world around them in meaningful ways.”
These insights from various coaches within Mansfield ISD highlight the profound impact of leadership training on high school athletes. By fostering a culture of mentorship, service, and high expectations, these programs not only enhance athletic performance but also prepare students for the broader challenges of life. The strategies employed by these coaches ensure that their athletes develop into well-rounded individuals capable of leading in multiple contexts, creating a positive and lasting influence on their communities.
Innovative Ideas for Leadership Involvement
To foster successful programs, it’s essential to explore innovative ways to involve athletes in leadership. Here are several strategies we’ve found effective at both the middle and high school levels:
1. Leadership Councils: Establishing a leadership council comprising selected athletes from each team allows for a structured approach to leadership. These councils can meet regularly to discuss team issues, plan events, and provide feedback to coaches.
2. Captain Training Programs: Providing formal training for team captains equips them with the skills needed to lead effectively. Workshops on communication, conflict resolution, and motivational techniques can be invaluable.
3. Community Engagement Projects: Encouraging teams to participate in community service projects fosters a sense of responsibility and unity. These projects also enhance the athletes’ leadership skills as they plan and execute initiatives that benefit their community.
4. Academic Leadership: Promoting academic excellence alongside athletic prowess ensures that athletes lead by example in the classroom. Recognizing academic achievements within the team can motivate others to strive for success in their studies.
5. Peer Mentoring: Implementing a peer mentoring system where upperclassmen mentor underclassmen help build a supportive team environment. This practice not only develops leadership skills in the mentors but also provides guidance and encouragement to younger athletes.
By giving athletes a voice in team decisions, we empower them to take ownership of their roles. This sense of empowerment leads to higher morale and a stronger commitment to the team. We love the approach many of our coaches take that includes regular team meetings where athletes can voice their opinions and contribute to decision-making processes. This inclusive environment ensures that every athlete feels valued and heard, reinforcing their commitment to the team’s goals.
The Impact of Leadership Beyond Sports
The benefits of involving athletes in leadership roles extend beyond the athletic field. Athletes who
develop leadership skills tend to perform better academically and are more engaged in their school communities. These skills also prepare them for future success in college, careers, and personal relationships.
Leadership skills developed through sports are transferable to every aspect of life. Our athletes are not just preparing for the next game; they’re preparing for life. They learn to manage their time, work with diverse groups, and face challenges headon.
In conclusion, the deliberate involvement of athletes in leadership roles at both the middle and high school levels is a cornerstone of our programs at Mansfield ISD. It not only enhances team performance and morale, but also equips our athletes with the skills necessary for success in all areas of life. As we continue to innovate and expand our leadership initiatives, we are committed to developing the next generation of leaders, both on and off the field.
By fostering leadership, we are not just building better athletes; we are building better individuals. And that is the goal of our athletic programs.
Coaches Clinic
Feburary 21st-22nd, 2025
Any questions please contact Anthony Criss 817-929-6818 or Carlos Lynn 469-955-5987 Call 1-800-HILTONS to book room and use code: I20CC2 *Group cut-off date is Jan. 31st*
The Hilton Garden Inn @ The Highlands Arlington, TX
SPEAKERS FEATURES
University of Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech LSU
Ray Gates - North Crowley
Joseph Sam - Bowie
Jeff Rayburn - Frisco Lone Star
Todd Rogers - Argyle
• Discounted Rate for high school staff (Maximum 10)
• Breakout Sessions
• First 200 registered will receive free t-shirt
• FCA Breakfast lecture - Saturday Morning
• Friday night post clinic social at Walk-ons!!!
REGISTRATION
Register Online at i-20coachesclinic.com or fill out form below and mail-in with check. Please make check payable to: I-20 Coaches Clinic 5507 Grantmont Dr. Arlington, TX 76016
$75 pre-registration by Feb. 15/ $90 after Feb. 15/ $300 Staff Pre-registration before Feb. 15
School:____________________________
VISUAL REINFORCEMENTS IN VOLLEYBALL: INCREASE YOUR SPECIFICITY
WRITTEN BY mike moffett, ed.d.
head volleyball coach - lubbock cooper high school
Show More, Do More, Talk Less
If we accept that very few people learn best by listening to an abstract explanation, then we acknowledge that most of our athletes learn better by seeing something and then trying to replicate that behavior themselves. So we already know that we need to be spending more of our time showing exactly what we want then letting the athletes figure out how to best accomplish that task, and spending less time lecturing about what we want.
Modeling
Being a good player and being a good coach are not directly correlated, but if you can personally demonstrate a skill correctly for your team, do it. If you can’t demonstrate the skill exactly as you want it performed, don’t. Instead, have a player model the skill, then verbally reinforce the key elements. You can also use video for your example, just be sure that you are showing comparable athletes doing the skill correctly. For skill development it is not helpful to show your players an overpass attacking highlight video of olympic players that are on average a foot taller than them. That video may help them love and appreciate volleyball more, but it will not help them score points on overpasses.
Visual Aids
To add specificity, you can use visual aids to show your players exactly what you want. You can temporarily use tape to mark any number of things you want to visually reinforce on the floor or along the net. (Use the
nicest painter’s tape you can find and peel it up often. Don’t use gym floor tape, which ironically is terrible for gym floors.)
The taped visual aids that I use regularly include: a triangle where out of system sets need to land, a box for the passing target, and an X for the hard driven dig target. Sometimes I add a starting location for setters or attackers, or put tape on the net to reinforce important hitting or blocking locations. If we need a reminder or an adjustment, I will place a tape dot for our backrow base positions. A couple more visual aids that we use without tape include cones as serving or attacking targets, and an elastic band stretched from antenna to antenna at whatever height you want your servers to serve below. Combining the visual aids with common vocabulary helps the players very quickly learn to “hit to the cones”, “squat on a dot”, “set OOS to a triangle”, “serve under the band”, “pass in the box”, and “dig to the X”. It becomes part of their everyday language and they are able to consistently transfer that knowledge even as we remove the visual aids.
More than a Volleyball Player
You may not need another reminder about the unprecedented pressure felt by our young people today and the misbehavior of a minority of parents, but as leaders we must take those factors into consideration. I have consistently been drawn to supporting female high school athletes due to the suicide of a very dear friend when we were that age. Mental health challenges are not new, but they have become alarmingly common. You must now assume that a number of your young athletes are quietly struggling with overwhelming
anxiety. You must also be aware that some of your players are under mountains of pressure at home. The stereotype of “those parents” living vicariously through their children still exists, but now they have also invested untold fortunes on club and private lessons. Frustrated parents venting about coaches that the player may love and respect can create a conflicted and stressful situation for the athlete. As coaches, we can help our players clearly separate their self worth from their sports participation. We do an activity where the players share the things totally unrelated to athletics that make them a fantastic human being. I prominently display these as a visual reminder that the identity and value of our players, managers, trainers, and coaches is so much greater than just their role in our program.
Video Study: 80%, 5%, 15%
Another strategy for supporting the well-being and confidence of our athletes is how we allocate our time in film study. Even during a playoff run, where scouting becomes more crucial every round, we still spend at least 80% of our team film study time celebrating and reinforcing what we are doing right. If we need to show something specific that needs correction, it is limited to 5% of our time or less. That leaves about 15% of our time to familiarize ourselves with our opponent. (Who are they? How do they succeed? What do they want
to do? Are there any adjustments we must make?) The coaching staff will spend huge chunks of time scouting all year, but by the time it gets filtered down to the players, we adhere to the 80-5-15 rule. The video reinforcement of your expectations and the celebration of your team’s performance are highly valuable means of increasing specificity while simultaneously building your team’s Collective Efficacy (the belief of a group that by working together it can perform the tasks necessary to be successful). [Sorry, my dissertation was all about CE and I don’t get to talk about it enough].
Thinking the Game with Checklists
During matches the impact of the coach’s knowledge becomes somewhat muted. What actually matters is what the players know and can apply on the court. If you find yourself wondering “what were we thinking there?” or “how did we not see that coming?” it may be worth your time to institute checklists to guide your players’ thinking. Just like your visual aids, off season and preseason are wonderful times to install your checklists. Some of our more analytical students love to have an order of operations to work from.
Your team has a very limited amount of time from the end of one rally to the start of the next rally. The players physically coming together after every point is not negotiable, it has to happen. We celebrate enthusiastically on points we win and positively support each other on points our opponent wins. We move on from this brief team huddle into our legal positions and into our checklists with purpose, but we cannot neglect the celebration or regrouping phase between points.
Create your checklists to reflect your own priorities and vocabulary, but here are some examples for guided
thinking between and during points. You should prune these checklists down to their simplest phrasing, fit them onto one page each, post them on your practice board, and reference them as often as needed. As you are preparing for next season, evaluate the areas of your program that could benefit from more visual reinforcement in order to add specificity to your expectations.
When we are Serving
SERVER BEFORE THE SERVE
Check for a serve call.
If coach takes too long or defers, confidently pick your own spot.
If it is your choice, consider any scouting information you already have.
BLOCKERS BEFORE THE SERVE
Is there a blocking call coming from the sideline?
Opposing setter: front row or back row?
Point out the hitters.
Who is their biggest priority?
Say where the attackers may be going on a good pass.
BLOCKERS WHEN THE SERVE OCCURS
Read and rate their pass.
Swipe, Kill, or Set overpasses.
See and narrate the set.
See the attacker’s angle of approach.
Jump the route.
Explode and Press.
DEFENDERS BEFORE THE SERVE
Who is going where for us?
Opposing setter: front row or back row?
Talk the setter out of dumping.
Point out the hitters. If you know something, say it.
Say where they may be going.
DEFENDERS WHEN THE SERVE OCCURS
Read and rate their pass.
Narrate the set.
Say what you see.
Dig.
Cover.
When we are Receiving
SETTERS
BEFORE THE SERVE
Is there a call coming from the sideline? (Rare. If yes, skip to Call the Plays)
What are my options? Who are my hitters and where are they?
What is the opponent block situation?
Can and should I put our strength on top of their weakness?
Should I just put our best hitter on her favorite set?
Call the Plays.
Know what you want to set on a good pass.
SETTERS
WHEN THE
See the serve flight path.
SERVE OCCURS
Get to the setting spot in a hurry.
See the pass and get to it.
Set a hittable ball. Cover.
HITTERS BEFORE THE SERVE
Am I passer? If so, look ready to pass.
What are my advantages?
If I need to go off-speed where should I go?
Get the call from the setter.
Confirm the call.
HITTERS WHEN THE SERVE OCCURS
Pass or Don’t.
Get in a position to start my approach.
See and rate the pass. (Should I change my call?)
Demand the ball loud enough for the setter to echolocate me.
See and evaluate the set. (Am I trying to score or keep it in?)
Do it.
PASSERS BEFORE THE SERVE
See the server. Where are they?
Do I know their normal serve? If you don’t know, assume deep float.
Who did they serve last time?
Where are they facing?
Authentically communicate about seams. How is the toss? (Short serve tosses usually look higher or slower)
PASSERS WHEN THE SERVE OCCURS
Everyone Speak. Everyone React.
Early Arms, HOLD! Cover.
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In the 4-2-5 scheme, Blue Coverage is a staple; especially against passing teams. It is one of the things you have to hang your hat on. In order to commit to running it, you have to be willing to play your safeties in a flat foot read. This is hard for some people to buy into. It is not complex and does not need to be taught in a complex manner. Simplicity is key. It is best described as a soft read of #2. The coverage develops and adapts as the #2 receiver runs his routes.
This is a pattern match concept. You will have zone eyes at the snap of the ball; and upon reading the pass, the eyes shift to #2 to determine the distribution of the patterns. After the pattern distribution, the coverage turns into a man concept.
Base Rules
Safety:
1. #2 vertical past 5 yards play man to man. Make a “push” call.
2. Non vertical-give a “wheel” call and cover #1 deep to short. (Fade to curl)
Corner:
1. Man #1 if #2 is flat now, play #2...You have wheel of #2.
I am not going to go over the rules in detail, there are plenty of resources on this already. I am going to get into some of the adjustments and particular situations that require special care in order to run the coverage effectively.
Cover Blue vs 2x2
Offensive Coordinator
COVER BLUE MIKE EVANS
Away-Side Coverage
The away-side is where the coverage is most vulnerable. Offenses that understand what you are doing will direct their attack here. The inherent weakness is that your 3rd cover guy is an inside linebacker. He will not be able to help you on the pass as easily as the strong safety can on the read side.
If you want to commit to running Blue Coverage, you have to decide how you will handle the late out route by the #2 WR, because the speed out and bubble routes are easy.
The problem occurs when #2 runs an out, but not right away.
If your safety is playing aggressive coverage on #2 then he might have trouble getting on top of #1. Many people alleviate this by back pedaling the safety, but this is not what you want. Sure he can play this route better from a backpedal but what do you give up in the process? Blue coverage is
Brownsville Veterans Memorial HS
designed to cover routes aggressively and allow your safeties to fit-up on the run quickly, from a flat foot read. By backpedaling, you lose those benefits. You are better off playing a true squats and halves concept. None the less, this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Here is how you can address it.
If #2 is out late, the safety has to make a decision. We give our safeties the ability to make this choice, and the corner is tied to the choice the safety makes. If the safety gives a “wheel” call, he plays over #1 and the corner sinks with #1 and makes the QB bring him up to the late out. This gives the safety more time to get in position. We do not want to jump the route now, because that puts too much pressure on the safety.
Option #2 is the safety can make a “Push” call, which tells the corner to stay with #1 because the safety is playing man on #2. We treat a 10 yard out the same way. We never make a wheel call past 5 yards; it is always a “push” for us.
To assist with outs, we have change-ups. The primary adjustments are “Bronco” and “Lock.” Bronco is a man concept; the corner is locked up man-to-man and the WS aligns in soft outside man (4-5 off) and plays anything vertical or out man-toman. If his receiver runs a shallow under, we let it go because it is running into zone coverage on the read side.
The other call is a “lock” call, which puts the safety and corner in straight man coverage. This is an effective adjustment for teams trying to use quick game towards the away-side.
To summarize: In away-side Blue Coverage, you must understand that the 5-10 yard out can be a weakness. You have to drill proper technique to put yourself in the best position to play the routes. However, the offense will have success if they execute the play. My father is a long-time defensive coordinator/head coach, and one of the big lessons he passed on to me was that, “There is no perfect coverage, the key is to understand your weaknesses and have change-ups built in to
answer the problems you are having. If you don’t have change-ups you ain’t got a chance.”
Bronco puts you in a position to cover the 5-10 yard out. Lock puts you in a position to take away quick game routes, while giving you the flexibility to play zone on the read side. There are a bunch of different things you can do on the away-side to compliment Blue Coverage on the read-side, but these are the primary things we do to answer the problems offenses will try to give us.
Read-Side Coverage
The read-side is much easier to play than the away-side, because the read-side involves three defensive backs as opposed to two. Having the extra guy allows you to play the coverage a little different and avoid some of the issues that you would have on the away-side (i.e. 5-10 yard out). The quick outs and bubbles play the same; however, the late outs are played with a “me” technique from the strong safety.
“Me” technique involves the SS taking any late out route by the #2 WR man-to-man. This keeps the corner locked up on #1.
Another important point about read-side blue coverage is that you want to play it to the field. 8090% of the time, the ball is on or around the hash. It is easy to align to 2x2 formations when you keep your SS to the field. You don’t want to stick your away-side into the field. It doesn’t make sense to play in more space with one less coverage guy. Setting your SS to field has added benefits when motion and 3x1 formations come into play.
In conclusion, mastering the 4-2-5 scheme with Blue Coverage requires attention to detail, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both the strengths and weaknesses of the defensive strategy. While the away-side presents challenges, particularly with the vulnerability to 5-10 yard out routes, coaches and players can implement adjustments like the "Bronco" and "Lock" calls to counteract offensive tactics effectively.
Remember, as my father, a seasoned defensive coach, always emphasized. "There's no such thing as a perfect coverage." What matters most is recognizing your weaknesses and having the versatility to address them with well- practiced change-ups. By leveraging techniques like the "Me" technique on the read-side and strategically aligning defensive backs to the field, teams can optimize their Blue Coverage strategy and stand strong against passing teams. So, embrace simplicity, drill proper technique, and be prepared to adjust on the fly. With dedication and strategic thinking, Blue Coverage can be a game-changer for any defensive unit.
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COACHING CHARACTER IT STARTS WITH ADULTS
BY MARK A. TORRES ATHLETIC COORDINATOR/HEAD
In today’s world of prep athletics, we have to be cognizant of the fact that every eye and ear is on everything we do and say. With that in mind, we feel that in our program we have to begin each season with a clear vision of our purpose as coaches and relay that information to all of our athletes and parents.
What is our “WHY”?
In having the privilege of starting the now established Pebble Hills High School in El Paso and the Socorro ISD back in 2015, utilizing the Character Matters program, created by its owner Wade Salem, was a priority for us. We were opening up a new school that was branching off from an existing 9th grade academy from one of the high schools in the area and felt the need to set the tone in a different way. Rather than taking a “winning at all costs” approach where the focus is on results, we chose to establish the kind of integrity and culture that can withstand time, should we ever decide to retire, or in this case, move on to another program as we have in coming to Buda Hays High School. We want to establish the kind of culture that results in creating winners; and when your people are winners, the results follow. We believe that beginning with our staff when it comes to developing good character, that we have a better chance at reaching our athletes when the time comes for us to introduce the curriculum.
Wade visits our program multiple times a year to help train our coaches, inspire our athletes, and help us hit the reset button as the school year moves on.
One of his sayings is, “Your character is better kept than recovered”. That has always stuck with me because it is directly in line with the way we approach the game of football. You never take plays off, or at least we do our best to preach that as coaches. You leave no stone unturned in preparation, or at least we do our best not to. Most importantly, when we work with our athletes, we stress that you never get this opportunity back and each day is a gift.
FOOTBALL COACH - BUDA HAYS HS
Keeping your character is just like staying in great physical condition. You have to work at it each day and there are many components to achieving this at a high level. As an adult, when we establish our relationship and results values during our “Hawk Maker” we are setting the tone for what kind of reflection our players are going to be of us as individuals, as a unit, as a team, as a program, and ultimately as a community.
3 Checkpoints...
Checkpoint #1:
Wade will visit our program sometime in the summer to introduce the new curriculum and theme for the season, along with a formal training and assessment to help us improve from last year. Right around this time we will be in our summer “Flight School” with our team. Each coach will draw a word of the week for the season and will be given time during this week to present and grade their word along with the team. By the end of the week, all of our words will be graded and we will have an official “pre-season scorecard”.
Checkpoint #2:
We will assign each word to a week in our scrimmage and regular season. These lessons will be given during athletic period on Monday and established as the theme of the week. Once we get to word #2 we begin that lesson by awarding the previous words character competitors of the week (each level and a teacher for each level) and grading our word for the second time.
Checkpoint #3:
At this point, our football season has officially ended; and we award the program’s character competitors of the season for the Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams, as well as a teacher for each level.
In Conclusion
As a staff, we feel it is important to reflect on our season, identify our value system, commit to improvement, and hold each other accountable to that throughout the upcoming season. Working on that as adults is the most important aspect, because it is our responsibility to set the example and the tone for our programs. The days of “Do as I say, not as I do,” have been gone for a very long time. Our athletes in today’s world need to know why; and as adults, we need to provide those answers to the best of our ability.
