One of the things that makes Texas high school football the best anywhere in the world is the depth of coaching. Would you mind giving him a call, coach? the father asked. At the 1995 state quarterfinals against Bastrop, Calallens players ended the first half by taunting the opposing teams fans. But the truth is, it's a debate that'll never be answered, and proabably shouldn't be. By then, rumors were already swirling around town. Community Connector School Program presented by Optimum, Mr. Texas Football Player of the Year Award, North Texas Dance Team Spotlight presented by Children's Health, San Antonio Inspirational Coach of the Week, San Antonio Student Trainer Program Spotlight, Texas Children's Training Staff Superstars Award. Jeff Baxter, one of Danahers players at Calallen, in 1986. Once the season began, the team tied its first game and won the next three. So many people are part of the success weve had., Last seasons championship, which the team managed to win amid a pandemic that constantly threatened to derail the season, was especially satisfying. The job doesnt stop at 10:30 when the game is over. It was January 1984, the beginning of his time at Calallen, a school district encompassing the northwest side of Corpus Christi. The baseball team won its first of three state championships in 2000, and its coach, Steve Chapman, became the winningest coach in Texas high school baseball this spring. Active Texas high school football coaches with the most wins include Highland Park's Randy Allen, Albany's Denney Faith, Duncanville's Reginald Samples and Smithson Valley's Larry Hill. J.T. But what about the big prize? It was so amazing at his funeral to see some of the people stand up and talk about what he meant to them. This week, the 65-year-old coach will begin his eighteenth season in charge at Katy with hopes of adding to a resume that includes a 22722 record and five state championships. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. A normal day during the football season: Get to school before 6 a.m. and start ninth grade practice. Texas high school football history is among the most storied in the United States, as the Lone Star state features some of high school footballs most dominant programs. Lydell Wilson is one of nine Black head football coaches to have won a Texas state high school championship. After losses, he and his staffmany of whom have worked for Joseph for nearly two decadesclimb the stairs to the football offices and go right back to work, trying to figure out what needs to be fixed. He was the athletics coordinator at College Station. Her sister is in Richardson.". It's spring game season in college football and with it comes a busy time on the recruiting circuit. (Photo: Parker Waters). Let's limit it to coaches with at least 100 games coachedin their career Only two active coaches with at least 100 games coached have a winning percentage above .900 Gary Joseph at Katy, and Jerry Burkhart at Richland Springs. information to become public in this format. Success! Then its an early wake-up call all over again. Hes not most coaches. Photograph by Trevor Paulhus. But nothing gets him going like the conversations about finding value in every single player; about getting each kid to be his best, whatever that best is. Things were starting to click. When Danaher heard his former second-stringer was playing college football at the Citadel, he expressed surprise that Vest made the team. In the weeks that followed, Joseph hung championship medals arounds the necks of players, band members, and others who contributed to the season. Mike Craven May 22 The Allen opening created a question in my head: Is that job still one of the best jobs in the state? The National Coach of the Year is the State's All-Time Winningest African American Coach with 323 victories and counting. A home game might end on 10:30 p.m. on Friday night, but he wont get home until midnight or later. Apocalypse Sow: Can Anything Stop the Feral Hog Invasion? Heres everything you need to know to stay informed about the 2022-2023 high school football season in the DFW area. Galena Park North Shore High School coach Jon Kay is surrounded by his players as he holds up the state championship trophy after defeating Austin Westlake during the Class 6A Division I. Related: The High School Football America 100 National Rankings. They coached together in Oklahoma. Timing was just right. Kansas State will pay Chris Klieman's coaching staff nearly $1 million more after taking home the Big 12 championship in 2022. But just from what I know, they earn those paychecks.. But were doing a lot of the same things., This season, Joseph is selling the possibility of back-to-back championships for the Tigers. The lowest-paying coaches in DFW are Dallas Kimballs Brandon Harrison and Dallas Whites Kenchee Ross. Ive interviewed congressmen and criminals, but I was nervous when I visited Danaher at his house in Calallen in March. Some other notes here: former Allen coach Terry Gambill (.886) ranked fourth before his retirement last monthifyou drop the minimum number of games coached to 50, the list reads: Gary Joseph, Chris Koetting, Mart's Kevin Hoffman (.885), Hank Carter, and Cedar Park's Carl Abseck (.877)if you entirely remove the minimum number of games from the equation, the list reads: Shiner's Daniel Boedeker (26-1, .963), Grandview's Ryan Ebner (26-2, .929), Gary Joseph, Jerry Burkhart, and Southlake Carroll's Riley Dodge (38-4, .905)the all-time leader in winning percentage with a minium of 50 games coached: former Aledo coach Steve Wood, who went 75-4 (.949). Low around 50F. These days, the cups on the fence have been permanently installed, and the stadium has been named after Danaher since 2009. One of the few times weve been beaten that badly, he said. What about state championships? The 1994 team was the first to win a region title when it defeated Harrison in the region playoffs to advance to the state playoffs. By comparison, the average salary for a high school teacher in Texas is just under $60,000. Phil Danaher is the best coach going right now, right? And personally, I think there's at least a decent argument for pretty much everyone mentioned aboveand a handful of coaches whoaren'tmentioned. Jim Clay, the only football coach in Alexander High history to win a region title, has died. Clay, 68, coached the Cougars from 1993-98 and was the second coach in the program history. They said that you contributed. The only coaches to have a higher salary in 2022-23 are Duncanvilles Reginald Samples ($146,675), Allens Lee Wiginton ($144,500), Lake Highlands Lonnie Jordan ($144,451) and Highland Parks Randy Allen ($141,307). Last year, just as the pandemic was beginning to take hold of the country, Joseph heard from the father of one of his former players. 1 John McKissick. Its five coaches are averaging $137,000. Hes still there until 1 or 2 in the morning, working through the weekend, and spring comes by, you have spring football and thats like a second sport.. Last year, Hampton (Virginia) High Schools Mike Smith surpassed 500 wins. When Vest stopped by the field house last fall, though, something felt off. Most playoff wins, too. Born in Dalhart, Texas, Purcell has been involved with high school athletics for more than 40 years as a head football coach and an executive director of athletics. He believed in finding value in every kid, and thats one of the most important things I learned from him. While continuing with whatever you h. This is what were going to do. Everybody had to sacrifice. There was an error processing your request. While most salaries are based on how long a coach as been in the business, performance on the field and winning games can play a factor. I wouldve taken less money and still done it. It contains boxes of cards and letters that, he hopes, tell another part of the story of a man who has spent four decades doing something he absolutely loves. Todd Howey spent over 20 years as a Texas High School Athletic Director at some of the most athletically successful and diverse school districts in the State of Texas. Its a calling and unfortunately, were short on coaches across the board. Both netted 2-year deals that pay $825,000 per year, according to documents obtained by the Wichita Eagle . season are and volumes of new material have been added for your viewing. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Clay served as a daily volunteer at Open Hands United Christian Ministry in Carrollton. Aledo just. Take three of the top four highest paid coaches, Samples, Allen and Wiginton Duncanville, Highland Park and Allen have combined to win 12 football state championships. This story was originally published August 25, 2022, 5:00 AM. He earned $3.5 million in 2022. A year ahead of him, another signal-caller was good enough to play at Texas A&M. But who is the best of the best, the finest coach in Texas high school football today? Texas Football Staff Apr 14 10:48 am Active Texas high school football coaches with the most wins: Don't Miss Any Exclusive Coverage! Updated: 10:32 PM CST December 13, 2021. That's the tricky question. Then his high school programs play the rest of the week. McKissick. You cant be afraid of being good. Since the summer before the 2021 season, he had been discussing his options with his family and school administrators. In 2002, the Texans entered the NFL as an expansion team, with Dom Capers (2002-05) as the team's first head coach. I firmly believe that Calallen is a sleeping giant, Danaher told the players. Winds light and variable.. Clear skies. Most folks in town only saw him on Friday nights, but he and his staff were working seven days a week, coming in after 2 p.m. on Sundays to allow for time with family and the Lord. He believes the officials called the game poorly. Black was named the National High School Football Coach of the Year in 2018 and inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. . Playing for him is very difficult. He passed away in 2019 at age 93. Im thinking, I gotta get my team out on the football field, and you want me to change the lights in the girls bathroom? he says. You find out you succeeded in getting to some of them when you hear from them years later, he said. Some might read that as a negative thing, but for me, it gave me a reason to keep working harder and keep pushing myself because I had yet to impress this figure that I looked up to years before ever playing for him.. Want to Buy a West Texas Ghost Town? Its a sad thing, but its the ones you didnt win you remember, he admitted. 621-156-13 *No. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. NFL/AFL stats for Texas Longhorns players at Pro-Football-Reference. Five Arlington schools are at $116,876. A lot of the usual suspects here, but I thought it was impressive to see Kennedale's Richard Barrett and Longview's John King here, each of whom have put together an impressive rsum. He's led the school to nine state championships. Phil Danaher, the winningest Texas high school football coach of all-time, retired Monday afternoon following a head coaching career spanning 48 years. Joseph followed his father, Eddie Joseph, a legend among Texas high school coaches, into the family business, and hes proud that one of his sons and his son-in-law have become coaches, too. Additionally, Taylor indicated Kansas State will have a new contract for Klieman done shortly. Lauren Larson is a former features writer and editor. Huff is making $140,000 during the school year, the most among Fort Worth-area high school football coaches. Those medals, those rings dont say anything about whether you were a starter or a backup, he said. Today: who is the best coach in Texas high school football today? Vest played quarterback, but he wasnt a star. Education requirements to become a high school football coach. The coach did allow himself a short vacation this summer, when he and his wife, Sheila, attended the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Danaher had missed the season opener. When I was a cheerleader at the school in the early aughts, we spent Mondays painting run-through signs and Fridays staging pep rallies. he winningest coach of all time, John McKissick (pictured above). 5 on the total victories list, also retired at the end of last season. Thats what we as coaches are supposed to do., Close to twenty years into his head coaching careerand with almost 230 wins to choose fromJoseph has trouble pinpointing a victory or handful of victories that stand out. Calallen didnt even have a stadium; the team played home games at the middle school. In a 1985 playoff game, when the Wildcats came up against an opponent led by future Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer, the star quarterback broke a local passing record in a game against Calallen, but Danahers boys still walked off the field with the win. I felt like after going through the process that the Lord really put it on my heart that there was still work to do here," Klein said after turning down Notre Dame. We had a week off and just sort of did a reset on the program., That strange season would end with a state championship. Joseph is the living, breathing embodiment of someone completely immersed in coaching. He shows me the gavel from the legislative session in 2017 when the Texas House of Representatives adopted a resolution praising Danaher for becoming the winningest high school football coach in state history. Hes a big face in our community, Keasler said. Cron collected hisprizes with Bartlett (1992, 1A), Mart (1999, 2A) and Commerce(2001, 3A).. We dont win because Gary Joseph is a genius. Katys defense is dotted with Division I college talent, including linebacker Ty Kana (committed to USC), defensive back Bobby Taylor (committed to Texas A&M), and pass rusher Malick Sylla (another future Aggie). Those words cut deep, Vest says. We win because we have kids that have bought into what were doing. . If you want the guy with the most titles in any classification, Jerry Burkhart at Richland Springs is probably your guy. | Opinion, What nightmares are made of. 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I had a son who was a senior last year. RELATED:Austin Westlake defeats Southlake Carroll to win Texas 6A Division I title, (Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News via Imagn Content Services, LLC), (Stephen Garcia/Reporter-News, Abilene Reporter-News via Imagn Content Services, LLC), (Mark Lambie / El Paso Times, El Paso Times via Imagn Content Services, LLC), (Photo via Mart Panther Football Facebook Group), (Image Credit: John Glaser/texashsfootball.com), *Note: Richland Springs is a six-man team. People say were old-fashioned. A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Douglasville First United Methodist Church. Lauren Larson is a former features writer and editor. He was looking at the big picture and building a dynasty, not just a better-than-average single year.. Rank/Name. Curtis. Denney Faith at Albany is the only other active member of the 300-win club, and the only active coach to do it all with one school. Youth sports has many problems. Former players call Danaher tough and ornery but also credit him for having an impact that seeped in slowly and sometimes wasnt felt until years later. Joseph has had a hand in eight of those Katy championships, three as an assistant coach and five since taking over the program in 2004. Top 75 Winningest Coaches in High School Football *Active head coach in 2022. And we can win big here.. My dad was one of the greatest role models you could ever have, and anyone that knew him will tell you the same thing, Joseph said. There has been a critical error on this website. Ciccone has helped sign some of the MAC's best recruiting classes the past seven seasons. Hes led his alma mater during the past four seasons while sporting a 52-5 record. That experience did not inspire AD Gene Taylor to attach a pair of golden handcuffs to his offensive coordinator; Klein's buyout should he leave for a non-Big 12 coordinator job is just two months' salary, roughly $138,000. Sign In to access this content. It contains newspaper clips and letters from other coaches congratulating Danaher on his record-setting 427th win. We practiced, and practiced hard, Joseph recalled. No Thanksgiving because we had a game on Saturday. Nowadays, especially coaches, they dont get summers off anymore. While it's not required, having a college degree especially if said degree encompasses a background in advanced education could make you a more attractive candidate to start out as a high school coach. Now 73, the coach was no longer himself. Katy High Schools nine state championships overall are the second-most in University Interscholastic League football history, trailing only Aledo, which won its tenth last season. You have permission to edit this article. His answer, when it emerges, arrives as a whisper. The Tigers season begins tonight in Katy against Clear Springs High School. But responsibilities run deeper than just Friday nights for Huff and most coaches. 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