2023-2024 Boys Sport Coach of the Year: MATT WESTER PLANO EAST HS

Where did you attend high school and Who were your coaches?

I grew up in Lubbock, Texas. I played any sport I could play. I just wanted to compete. By the time I got to High School all I wanted to do is play basketball. I really had a one-track mind at that point. I played for a small TAPPS school called Trinity Christian. We had a good team. We won 62 games my final two years, and my junior year we went 32-4 and won the TAPPS 4A state title.

I played all 4 years for Coach Todd Duncan. He's currently the head basketball coach at Lubbock Christian University.

Where did you attend college and what was your degree in?

I played one year at Wayland Baptist Univ. After my Freshman year I transferred to Texas Tech and graduated with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science.

Tell me when and why you decided to get into coaching?

My high school experience was incredible. It couldn't have been better. I loved my teammates and my coaches. I assumed everyone had the same experience. I had two younger brothers. They went to two different schools in town and had two vastly different experiences. It was from the stands supporting them that it dawned on me that coaches had a lot of influence in kids lives'. My second year of college is when I knew I wanted to be a coach.

Who has had the biggest impact/ influence on the way you coach?

I think the guys you work with influence your coaching more than anyone else. I worked as a volunteer for Todd Duncan, Rod Wright, and Tom Inman. Each of them impacted me in many ways. Jeff Clarkson impacted me more than anyone else. I was his assistant for 11 years at two different schools. I could fill a book with the wisdom he left with me.

Tell me about your coaching journey so far?

As a college undergraduate, I volunteered for two seasons at Trinity Christian HS in Lubbock. Todd Duncan was my high school coach as well as the first head coach I was able to serve under. My first paid job was in

Richardson ISD as a JH coach. I coached basketball and track. Rod Wright at Berkner let me volunteer with them during their final four run in 2006.

My second year out of college was at a MS in Plano. I coached Football, Basketball and Track. Tom Inman was the head coach at Plano Senior and he let me volunteer with them. They were the defending state champs.

In the Spring of 2007, Coach Inman connected me with Jeff Clarkson who was looking for a 9th-grade B-team coach at Naaman Forest. I was there for 5 years, and coached the 9th grade B-team four times, and the JV one time. I was an assistant Track coach the entire time. We made a run to the final four in 2012.

Coach Clarkson moved to Plano East and I was able to go as his Varsity Assistant. I served in that role as for 6 years before I was promoted to the head coaching role. 2024 marks my 13th year at Plano East, 7th as Head Coach.

What do you hope your student-athletes take away from your program and their time with you?

So much... I want their high school basketball career to be the best time of their lives. I want them to look back and think, "Those were the good 'ole days".

I also want them to learn what it means to commit to something you are passionate about, and learn what it means to set a goal, develop a work ethic, and make sacrifices to achieve their goal.

I also want them to know what a great father and husband look like.

What character quality do you feel is most important to impress upon today’s youth?

As a coach, I am tasked with the responsibility of teaching athletes how to communicate well. Especially with adults.

They need to learn about time management and leadership skills. I feel like our athletes are the future leaders in our community.

Who has been your biggest supporter in your career?

EASY... My family! My wife Micahl and my 5 children make enormous sacrifices so that I can coach other people's kids.

My mom and my dad never miss anything I have done in sports.

What advice would you offer a young coach, just starting their coaching career?

Who you work for matters! Work for the best you can. Learn as much as you can. Just like playing sports... You learn through experience. Don't pass up opportunities to work camps or coaching summer teams.

What does it mean to you to have been recognized as 23-24 Coach of the Year by your THSCA peers?

You don't sign up to teach and coach for personal or professional accolades. You don't even really ever think about it. Then when a significant award such as this comes through it really takes you off guard. I never expected anything like this. The award truly reminds me of the Bible verse Ephesians 3:20. "... to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think..."

Read the entire November 2024 Issue of Texas Coach here: https://issuu.com/thscacoaches/docs/nov24upload?fr=sYmEwNDY1NjgzODI