Beyond the Lights: Football Across Texas

Episode 77: head football coach and athletic director for Holland ISD, Phillip Gibson, takes us through our next episode in our personnel series.

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.

Episode 76: Head football coach and assistant athletic director for La Vega ISD, Don Hyde, talks us through our next episode on personnel.

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.

Episode 75: Head football coach and athletic director for the Dawson Bulldogs, Logan Simmons talks about getting personnel in place and taking over the Bulldog program.

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!

Episode 74: Head football coach and athletic coordinator for the Bastrop Bears, Jake Griedl, talks about how he deals with personnel issues.

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- special episode introducing Deep in the Heart Athletics and their upcoming zoom clinic.

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.