Beyond the Lights: Football Across Texas

Brian Cope, head football coach and athletic coordinator for the West Fork Gators, is no stranger to young football programs.  Having started the program at Lake Belton, he now comes into the West Fork program which is only four years old.  Not looking to erase everything that has been started with the Gators, Coach Cope has kept much of the staff and parts of the system that he feels are positive and productive, making the transition smoother for all involved.  His expectations are high for the Gators this season and his early entrance to the program in February has given them the opportunity to hit the ground running this week, with much of the learning curve already surpassed.

Keri Timmerman, head football coach and athletic director for Marble Falls ISD, has put in more than his share of hours over the years preparing for the position he is in today.  Many moves with his family and a lot of time spent learning from the best have shaped him as a coach and influenced him as a person as well.  Starting year 3 at Marble Falls and the program advancing on the principles of the “Four Square Life”, the coaching staff and athletes are working hard to be a force in a very tough 4A division one district.

2026 THSCA coaching convention is over and this episode just takes some comments from some the attendees.

A passion for kids, that's the number one thing head football coach and athletic director for the Holland Hornets, Phillip Gibson,  is looking for when he has to hire a coach.  But be prepared to get on the whiteboard and talk football too!  He understands the importance of Xs and Os but his priorities are in order.  With most of the Hornet staff returning, Coach Gibson was able to make the transition a little easier for himself and the coaches, making the Holland Hornets excited to rise up as a contender in district 13 of 2A-2.

Don Hyde has been in La Vega ISD for over 20 years.  This is a rarity in the coaching world, but he wouldn't have it any other way.  He has put together a staff that focuses on family and they have expanded their family to consist of the entire community.   The La Vega ISD administration understands the importance of athletics and they are willing to make the investment into the program so their athletes will have the best opportunities and something to be proud of.  With a great staff and a long-term investment in the people of the community, the La Vega Pirates plan on continuing their history of success on the football field under the leadership of Coach Hyde.

From the resort community of Marble Falls to the dirt roads of Dawson, Logan Simmons and his family are making the move back to small town Texas.  Both he and his wife grew up in Little River so small towns are nothing new, but running a program is.  Coach Simmons has his first head job as the head football coach and athletic director for Dawson ISD and he has had to hit the ground running.  Getting a late start at end of April, he  had to hire most of his staff, get to know the athletes, start implementing his offense and defense and move his family!  But his excitement for what's going on at Dawson far outweighs the heavy load he will carry for the next few months.  The Bulldogs and their staff are excited for big things to come in Dawson!

Jake Griedl has worked in some of the top programs in the state and has taken what he has learned in each of those and put it all into practice at Bastrop High School.  He values his coaches and their input, believing every coach plays a significant role, whether they are in year one or year twenty.  Not only does he push his players to continually get better, but he expects the same from his coaches, implementing professional development strategies he learned from one of his mentors.  As coaches and players continue to get better, his program will continue to thrive, working to become a powerhouse in central Texas.

Deep in the Heart Athletics, LLC is a new coach owned business working to provide professional development opportunities to coaches through clinics and help promote rural athletic programs across the state through a podcast.  Today we are getting them introduced and letting people know about their upcoming clinic.

Brett Sawyer is beginning year 9 overall in Boerne and year 2 as the head man.  After 7 years as the DC for his good friend, the change to head coach was easy with several years of head coaching experience already on his resume.  Everything he does with his program is about functionality.  How can it help the program?  He keeps things simple, whether it's on the field or in the weight room.  This philosophy keeps them efficient, with very little wasted time for players or coaches.  Coach Sawyer and his family have had the opportunity to see many different areas of the state and are happy to call Boerne and the hill country home.  

Brennan Whitaker, head football coach and athletic director for the De Leon athletic program, has returned to small town football.  Maybe not his hometown, but back to his small town football roots.  After spending several years in the bright lights of Southlake Carrol and Birdville he took over the Bearcat program and brought the big school philosophy with him.  Implementing everything he learned from his years playing college ball and coaching in the metroplex, he has adapted those philosophies to fit 2A football.  This produced good results with a 9-4 record in his debut season.  Having year one under his belt, he has high expectations for the years to come!