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From Klein Collins to Alabama, Svoboda is testament to quality of H-Town Coaches
"What's up scoop?" a booming voice would call out every time I entered the Klein Collins' field house.
Drew Svoboda loved to talk Houston high school football, recruiting, and life in general when I'd pull up in his office. He and his lead assistant loved to razz me about being obsessed with North Shore, Katy, or The Woodlands. Just, pure hazing.
That assistant is now College Park head coach Lonnie Madison.
Madison was the first I texted when I began hearing the rumblings about Svoboda becoming the Special Teams coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
"I gotta call you back, I'm interviewing with Ohio State," Madison texted tongue-in-cheek.
Svoboda left Klein Collins (93-24 record), where he built a Houston super-power, for the college game with Rice. He was with the Owls for three seasons and special teams became the strength of the team.
He was then hired by Memphis in January to take over the coordinator job for the Tigers.
As luck would have it, Jay Graham was hired by Alabama months ago and had to resign -- right place, right time, right opportunity. Now, Svoboda slides in to learn from the best – Nick Saban.
That's a long way from Oak Ridge High School where we first met.
"I've worked with Drew a long time and I'm not surprised with the success he's had in college," Madison said. "He's the best coach I know."
Former Klein Oak head coach Jason Glenn and new Director of Student Outreach coached against Svoboda and played for Nick Saban when he was with the Miami Dolphins.
"Drew is an amazing coach and as someone that played under Nick Saban, he will fit in great with the culture and expectations that have been established at Alabama," Glenn said. "I'm happy for him."
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Other Coaches Weigh In…
Jon Kay of North Shore
"Drew Svoboda on staff at Alabama is testament to the quality of coaching at the high school level in Texas, and more specifically the Houston area. His seamless transition and meteoric rise is really no surprise to anyone who knows Drew. I think college and NFL teams get stuck recycling coaches over and over and I credit Mike Bloomgren at Rice, along with other coaches who have dipped into the high school ranks when building their staff, for recognizing coaching talent and giving Drew the opportunity he deserved. We certainly look forward to working with Drew as he recruits the Houston area for years to come.
"The importance of athletics in the state of Texas develops coaches, who can transition to the next level easier. Texas high school coaches are fluent in the "24-7-365" nature of the college game because of athletic periods and summer conditioning rules. Obviously, this state is a hot-bed for recruits and it's always good to have a guy on staff with connections in the state. All of that coupled with the fact that Texas is one of the few states that play by NCAA rules. These coaches develop an eye for the game (without using video) that have bred them to make the in-game adjustments necessary at the college level."
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James Clancy, Klein Cain coach
Greater Houston Football Coaches Association, President
"I am very proud and happy for Coach Svoboda and it is no surprise that he has risen quickly in the college ranks. It is a great representation of not only the quality of high school coaching in the Greater Houston area but the state of Texas."
Gomez brings Championship pedigree to Northbrook Football
HOUSTON – Andres Gomez has always dreamed of this moment.
Getting to take over the helm of a football program of his own is something he has worked his way up to and now he is getting that opportunity at Northbrook.
"There's a lot of growth opportunity there," Gomez said. "A lot of potential for positive movement. I feel like it goes well with my skillset."
Gomez knows how to win.
In high school, Gomez played for Mike Johnston at Katy and in 1997 was a part of the first state championship for the program since 1959. After his time there, Gomez went to Texas A&M, where he didn't play, but then started his coaching career at Chavez High School.
Following his stint there, Gomez coached at Tomball, Aldine, Klein Oak, College Park and then most recently at Klein Cain as the Assistant Head Coach.
At Klein Cain, which played its first season in 2018, Gomez – who was named the Klein Cain 2020 English Teacher of the Year – got to watch and assist as James Clancy has built that program, which made the playoffs for the first time last year, from the ground up.
"I am so incredibly proud of Coach Gomez," Clancy said. "He has been an integral part of opening our young school and getting our program started. He is a relationship driven leader who makes everyone around him better. He truly cares about every student and player he comes into contact with. Northbrook is getting a great coach and better person. We are so grateful to him, and his family for all they have done for Klein Cain."
Even though Northbrook has been playing football since 1974, the Raiders are still seeking their first playoff berth and Gomez is approaching this as the same as they did with Klein Cain.
"It almost feels like the same situation of having to start from scratch," Gomez said. "There has not been a lot of positive football history, so it's almost the same mentality of putting some systems in place, some things we believe in, some non-negotiables of how we approach the everyday things we do and continue to trust the process."
Through his career, Gomez has coached on all three sides off the ball.
He's coached defensive backs, wide receivers (the position he played in high school) and special teams over his tenure as a coach.
When looking towards his first coaching staff, Gomez knows exactly what he's wanting.
"I just want passion for kids and energy," he said. "It's important to get some hungry, young coaches who are willing to put in the work necessary to turn the program around. I have an idea of what the right way to do things is and what kind of mindset and work ethic it's going to take to do what those kids need."
In the job of getting Northbrook turned into a winning football program, Gomez won't be alone in that challenge.
He will have mentors, such as Stratford head coach Todd Rankin, who he worked with at College Park.
"I feel like he's going to be a great mentor for me as far as taking over a program in Spring Branch and some of the minor details I'm going to need help with along the way, I think he's going to be a positive influence," Gomez said.
Not only will he have help from fellow Spring Branch ISD coaches, the first-year head coach will also be getting help from the top – SBISD Athletic Director Paige Hershey.
"She's been extremely helpful, she's been around the district for a long time and she knows all the ins and outs," Gomez said. "I feel very privileged to have been chosen for this position because I know that she has a great feel for what the school needs and what the community needs. The fact that I was selected is a great honor. She has been extremely helpful and pleasant to work with."
At the end of the day, wins are what will be the thing many will look for.
Northbrook hasn't won a football game since 2017 – going 0-10 the past two seasons – and hasn't posted more than three wins since going 4-6 in 1997.
But to get to those wins, Gomez said they have to focus on the small things first.
"As long as we focus on the important things, such as player development and academics, then the big things will take care of themselves by following those ideals," he said.