Beyond the Lights: Football Across Texas

Eli Reinhart is fresh off his state championship win as the OC for the North Crowley Panthers.  He is taking over for the Hutto Hippos with his first head coaching role.  We discuss everything from Michigan high school football to his expectations for his new athletes as he begins a new era in Hippo football.

Randy Jackson has had experience as a head coach and specifically turning programs around by developing culture and very intentional actions to bring about the desired result:  a successful program.  Listen to Coach Jackson talk about the first steps and priorities you will want to attend to as you start your program.

Brent Kornegay enters his 22nd year as a head coach and athletic director, starting anew at Johnson City in the hill country.  After retiring once, the pull to get back on the field brought him back in 2 years ago and now he looks to revive the Eagles program for Johnson City.

Devon Dorris is closing out his 15th season as head coach for Azle ISD and that is probably the longest tenure of any head football coach in Azle high school history.  He has returned to his hometown and kept the hornets playing consistently at a high level against 5A powerhouses in the DFW area.  Coach Dorris has taken what he learned from his coaches in high school and college and put them into practice for the Hornets.

Denney Faith is the 2nd winningest active football coach in the state of Texas with 369 wins.  Coach Faith talks about what keeps the Lions consistently in winners circle and what the keys are to staying in one place so long.  (and it's not just the bass fishing up there!)

Coach Cedric Hardeman of Conroe High School talks about his move from the business world back to the football field.  He also talks about the importance of "finding your David", what has God given you to be successful in life and how he teaches that to his athletes to prepare them for life after graduation.

Keith Allen has been selected as the head football coach at Schreiner University as they lay the foundation for their new football program, which will begin games this fall.  We talk about what it's like recruiting kids to start a program and how he sells Kerrville and Schreiner University to new recruits.

Ryan Mahon is the head football coach for the Blinn Buccaneers.  Blinn competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).  Coach Mahon talks about how he recruits, what his goal is for his athletes and how the portal has affected his level of football.

Bob Wager, former high school football coach and current TCU director of football relations talks about recruiting at the D1 level.  We also discuss the effect the portal and NIL are having on college football today.

Head football coach David Jones talks about a variety of issues that affect programs and some of the things he does to keep parents involved with their kids as they participate.

While attending Randy Jackson's Fast N Wide Clinic in Plano, I took time to do some short interviews with Joe Cary from Tomball Memorial HS, Brent Pickard of Eau Claire Memorial HS in Wisconsin, Canon McWilliams of Big Spring HS, Dennis Dunn of North Desoto HS in Louisiana and Jeff Caffey of Big Spring.

Coach Eric Luster of Brazoswood HS sits down with me at Randy Jackson's Fast N Wide clinic and talks about the importance of T.H.I.S. :  Trust, Heart, Intentionality, and Service.

Michael Hurd, author, sports writer, historian, veteran and occasional baker discusses his book Thursday Night Lights.  This book documents the history of black high school football in Texas.  Mr. Hurd spent years researching for this book to bring well-deserved recognition to many of the individuals responsible for making Texas high school football what it is today.

Blake Fuschak is in his 3rd season as the head coach for Antonian Prep.  His dad helped establish Antonian as a TAPPS powerhouse and now his son is continuing the tradition.  Coach Fuschak talks about the importance of humility and always learning and growing as a coach.

Jarrett Lambert was promoted from the DC of the Pearce Mustangs to the head coach 3 years ago and has progressed from 4-6 to 9-3 this year to make the Mustangs a strong contender in the biggest classification in the state.  Retired Azle coach and friend, Joel Fuller, joined me for this episode in Richardson.

Post head football coach and AD, John Wright, talks about his movements from west Texas to north Texas and back as he made his way back to Post for a second time.  Over the last two years he started over with a new system for the Antelopes that paid off this year with a 13-1 record.

Chris Freytag and I talk with Eric Soza, head football coach and AD for Rockport Fulton.  He talks about coaching and playing for his dad and the turnaround season for the Pirates in his first year as the man at Rockport Fulton.