WHO'S NEXT? VISD on the hunt for right coach for East
Originally published December 11, 2011 at 2:33 a.m., updated December 11, 2011 at 2:45 a.m.
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A former Victoria coach, the son of a local coaching legend, a financial planner, a rival coach in District 30-4A and lower-level collegiate assistants are vying for the seemingly surprise football coach vacancy at Victoria East.
With just over three weeks before applications will close for the "4A head football coach," the Victoria Independent School District has received nearly three dozen applications to replace the retiring Mickey Finley.
Among the 31 applicants are former Memorial coach Wayne Condra; current Floresville football coach John Baker; San Antonio Churchill offensive coordinator, and son of former Victoria High coach Mark Reeve, Travis Reeve; Yorktown defensive coordinator Bruno Mata.
Local candidates include Victoria West assistant Scott Williams, who coordinated a defense that allowed 271 points en route to a 2-8 record in 2011. Victoria East offensive line coach Adam Arroyo and offensive coordinator Brad Eblen have also thrown their hat in the ring.
"We're looking for someone that has experience and putting the program together at whatever level they have been at and had success dealing with the kids," said VISD athletic director Ralph Escalona. "Their interaction with the public and how they plan on putting a total sports program together."
The opening will close Jan. 2. By the Jan. 19 school board meeting Superintendent Bob Moore will likely have a candidate that he will recommend to the board. The expectation is to have a candidate on board by the beginning of February so the Titans can continue winter conditioning and other preparation for the 2012 season.
The district released the list of applicants to date, late last week following an open records request.
Escalona said he has fielded suggestions from members in the community and others about who should replace Finley.
None of those have come from anyone representing the East Titans Football Booster Club. When Finley resigned Nov. 28, the club's president, Fred Wallace, said the organization would remain neutral throughout the search.
Of the eight qualifications the district expects from the 75-100 applicants that will eventually apply for the position, the most specific might be having "five successful years as a high school head coach and/or coordinator in a 4A or 5A program."
One other element Escalona said the yet-to-be formed selection committee would like in the next Titans coach is a synergy with the schools that feed into Victoria East. He added doing so would help create a total program.
"The position was left in pretty good shape as far as returning kids and the expectation to win," Escalona said. "I think whoever comes in here can be successful immediately. That's what makes it attractive to coaches who are looking to further their career, or looking for a place to land."
THE CURRENT LIST OF CANDIDATE:
Listed the 31 applicants for the head coaching position at Victoria East High School, which were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request to the school district:
Rolando Aguirre, Bellarmine-Jefferson HS, Burbank, Calif.
Adam Arroyo, Offensive line coach, Victoria East
John Baker, Athletic Director/Football coach Floresville HS
Marcus Booker, Linebackers coach, Northeast ISD
Michael Brewster, Video Coordinator, Southern Methodist University
Frederic Camp, Teacher, Forney ISD
Wayne Condra, Assistant Athletic Director/Coach, El Campo ISD
Gerald Cole, Offensive Coordinator, Pasadena ISD
Lonnie Cook, Financial Planner, Primerica
Josh Dye, Defensive quality control, Purdue University
Brad Eblen, Offensive Coordinator, Victoria East
Jake Fieszel, Athletic Director/Football coach, Gunter HS
Bobby Fowler, Coach, Del Valle HS
Roland Gonzalez, Athletic Coordinator/Football coach, Cypress Springs HS
Michael Haynes, Coach, Crowley ISD
Glen Jones, Athletic Director/Football Coach Brady ISD
Bruno Mata II, Defensive Coordinator/Yorktown HS
Shaun McDowell, Offensive Coordinator, Cypress Creek HS
Timothy Murphy, Head Coach, Clovis East HS, Clovis, Calif.
Travis Reeve, Offensive Coordinator, Winston Churchill HS
Sul Ross, former Austin Westlake assistant
David Satcher, Defensive Coordinator, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Cody Simper, Athletic Coordinator/Football Coach, Corpus Christi Ray HS
Clayton Sims, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Sherman ISD
Jeremy Staehlin, Assistant head coach/Defensive coordinator, Pasadena HS
Michael Watkins, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Aldine ISD
Bryan Webb, Assistant Athletic Director/Offensive Coordinator, San Marcos ISD
Robert Wilcox, Athletic Director/Football coach Kingsville King HS
Scott Williams, Defensive Coordinator, Victoria West
Leslie Winegeart, Offensive and Defensive Coordinator, Corpus Christi Carroll HS
Comments
d6975 says...
Any of these have state championships under their belt?
December 11, 2011 at 3:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasonbourne says...
Why? I see at least one that has been part of a team that won the big game.
What does it mean if they haven't? Help me understand!
December 11, 2011 at 5:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLordtree says...
Yeah....at most would be state champ as asst which means little. Tim Murphy had a heck of a program at Clovis East before a strange ending. Travis Reeve would be a nice reunion. Son of a legeng, a playing legend as Qb at Vhs....sounds fun. Already did the Condra experiment. Great coordinator, but not head coach.
December 11, 2011 at 7:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedXIII says...
This decision of hiring a new coach needs to be done by a committee. The next hire will make or break the tradition at VEHS. From the list above Sul Ross Wayne Condra and note that Aquirre would be coming from a team ranked 14,000th in the US
December 11, 2011 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasonbourne says...
Did you say Tradition? The school has been around for 1 1/2 years and you've already developed a Tradition. LOL!
What is the tradition? Student with the worst felony? Worst fans in the crossroads?
Please tell us what it is?
December 11, 2011 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasonbourne says...
BTW, I'm still curious as to why Finley mysteriously decided to leave the game.
December 11, 2011 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
panther04 says...
As far as State Championship experience goes, current DC at West, Scott Williams, (who is a VHS '87 graduate) has been to the big game a total of 6 times as an assistant. In the 90's at LaMarque (4A) the Cougars went to the State game 5 times in a row, and won 3 of those ('95,'96,'97). In 2004 he was the DC at Spring Westfield (5A) where they lost the title to Tyler Lee. They had a 13-2 record that year. Before becoming the DC at West he was a part of the staff at Pearland (5A). He has been on the staff of 3 of the greater Houston area's most successful program's. He has obviously been involved with some great program's and has learned from the best. I think he deserves a look.
December 11, 2011 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedXIII says...
Tradition is what the coaching program develops to reoccur each year. VEHS is a new school and will need a good hire who can develop that tradition of winning year in and year out. It seems that has been lacking at Victoria schools say??? as in forever. What I meant is that the next hire should have that background. look at the schools currently headed to state, they have tradition of good coaching, good discipline (ask Cuero), good overall program. It has been overlooked in VISD for decades and to have an opportunity to make a valid contender now is the time for a real coaching change if that is what the people can handle. The 2 years Finley was at East the school and students take pride in a successful program that made the playoffs 2 years running. This beginning needs to continue because it carries over and through all the other learning community schools headed to East the younger students have pride as being part of the overall program and it success, of course you probably would not understand that either. Tradition would be the winning ways of the past to build on and continue because it just takes a few losing seasons to bring about negativity within the community.
BTW, Finley left because he wanted to spend more time with family. No one is perfect as far as I know on the coaching field and he left on top and in the tradition of making the playoffs has begun under his tenure...
You seem to harbor ill feelings towards East and its students and fans...get over it cause slander is a crime...
panther04......tks for the past exp on Scott truly he has been in traditional programs that have been successful and he should fully understand Victoria being from here have a great understanding of HS football to develop a quality program.
December 11, 2011 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
I have yet to see why some say that East has the worst fans. I have yet to see why and have been to alot of their games.
December 11, 2011 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasonbourne says...
I'm not slandering anyone. You went to the playoffs because you played terrible competition and you had 5 guys with speed. Your coaching was abysmal.
Last years East team was one of the most athletic and at the same time most undisciplined squads I've ever seen. That kind of athletic ability would have made the playoffs without a coach even being present. I don't harbor any ill feelings, I just speak the truth.
Take a look at the current playoff system for a moment. Have you even noticed that 4 of 6 teams in our district go to the playoffs? That's not a great gauge for excellence.
Either way, you guys are going to get a new coach.
I'll continue to believe there is much more to the story of Finley's departure than some halfbaked story about "wanting to spend time with family".
OK, they aren't the worst fans. I have seen worse from Bay City. But Easts are pretty bad.
December 11, 2011 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
What makes them bad? Nobody who complains about them has yet to say why they are so bad. I think it is because the first years team wooped almost everyone. Not bad for a first year team. I could say West has the worst fans because of a few.
December 11, 2011 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasonbourne says...
If you have sat in your stands for even a few minutes and you have to ask, then you won't ever understand?
1) Jeering / cussing opposing teams players
2) Booing correct calls by referees. Yes, easy to see calls, not questionable.
3) Comfortable screaming the F-word at anyone at any time
4) Yelling at coaches even if East is ahead by 30 or 40 points
5) Yelling at players if they made even a minor mistake
Need any more? I've only been to 5 East games in the 2 seasons played. I saw and heard the same thing every game. Maybe it was just those 5 games. I kind of doubt it.
I don't expect everyone to act like an adult but c'mon, It's High School kids who have worked hard on the practice field getting ready for a game. East has a very large number of fans that do everything mentioned above. Are they all bad? Well of course not. Percentage wise East has a lot of fans that act like children in the stands. No, I'm not referring to your student section. This is coming from people I would normally consider adults.
It's ok though because you got to the playoffs and apparently have some great traditions.
December 11, 2011 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slapstick says...
I warned you redrage, can't say I didn't, see caller times. Be ready, I'm going to have some fun with you this week. You will be exposed!! Acting strait, please.
December 11, 2011 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roberttx says...
I'd imagine the list of people 'interested' in the job is much more interesting than the list of people that actually applied.
December 11, 2011 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
Jason, you need to go to more games then. I have been to Cuero, west, Calhoun, Calallen games and you will here that at every game. You can't hold it against the entire fan base. Heck, there are people who don't like you or me on this forum, but we are still here and they have their opinions and actions. Heck, slapstick can't stand me and claims to know me. If he really new me, he would know I am a nice guy.
December 11, 2011 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roberttx says...
sit on the visitors side, nice collection of victoria football fans on that side
December 11, 2011 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
Yep, and listen to the visitors complain. Lol
December 11, 2011 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roberttx says...
only the calhoun and calallen fans complain, unless they're blowing out VWHS
December 11, 2011 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasonbourne says...
I've sat with Calhoun, you're right they are bad. They are much like East in that they don't know anything. I've also sat with Calallen, they are some of the better fans I've ever sat with. CC King has good fans. Just saw Hightower for the first time last night. Whew, they are right down there with East and Calhoun.
The visitor side at Memorial Stadium is very nice. Especially when East is in town.
West fans are waaaay to quiet. They need to learn things like when their defense stops someone on 4th down, it's time to make some noise. I've heard more noise on a golf course than from West fans.Quiet is better than the what the East fans do.
December 11, 2011 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RickGomez says...
If history repeats itself, the new head coach is already employed by VISD, and was selected before the first application came in. Just saying that VISD Athletic leadership is not one I have a whole lot of trust or faith in.
It’s a shame that a lot of seemingly qualified candidates are wasting time with VISD believing they will be given an honest look. Personally, I would rather earn a promotion because I deserved it, not because of past alliances. Do the right thing Ralph, give everyone an honest chance.
I think the committee idea someone mentioned earlier would be a good approach, of course it depends on who selects the committee.
December 11, 2011 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roberttx says...
Past visd leadership was known for pulling stupid moves. I like the present leadership in place. They did a great job with the new coaching hires for east and west.
That list might be the official applicants but I'd bet there are several head coaches in the mix that don't want their name out there yet.
December 11, 2011 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
Whitacker or Danaher?
December 11, 2011 at 8:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roberttx says...
I'd bet one of them has already sent out feelers.
December 11, 2011 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
That would be wild if one of them got offered the job and accepted..
December 11, 2011 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slapstick says...
Whit, is not going to Victoria, again, news flash, whit is not going to Victoria. He may be leaving, but it's not Victoria. So put that one to rest. Goodnight sleep tight.
December 12, 2011 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
group6 says...
What about that dude from Refugio?
December 12, 2011 at 10:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fbubet says...
Westlake coach was offensive coordinator 1997-2009 they won alot of games in that time period. Danaher has won a few. Winning programs. Need someone from or thats been part of a established program.
January 4, 2012 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
xback27 says...
All you people crack me up.......VISD will not win once they get by those terrible schools in the valley. The economics in this town won't allow it. NEWS FLASH: Tradition isn't built by a coaching staff. It's built by a supportive community. It's a community wide expectation. The socio-economics of this city and school district, the demographics, and several other indicators suggest that VISD will struggle to compete much further than the second or third round.
Really REDXIII??????????: "Tradition is what the coaching program develops to reoccur each year. VEHS is a new school and will need a good hire who can develop that tradition of winning year in and year out. It seems that has been lacking at Victoria schools say??? as in forever. What I meant is that the next hire should have that background. look at the schools currently headed to state, they have tradition of good coaching, good discipline (ask Cuero), good overall program."
January 4, 2012 at 11:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLordtree says...
Xback...I agree and disagree with your premise. The head coach is partially responsible for that tradition and setting up a winning cycle through high school program system....something not done since Reeve. The other factors, minus sociology economics somewhat, also apply. The head coach also impacts this in driving community support.
January 5, 2012 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fbubet says...
Westlake coach? System produced Drew Brees, Nick Foles, Tanner Price, Ryan Swope Playoffs every year. Bet they do not even call the guy! Someone knows someone who knows someone. What a shame.
January 5, 2012 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )