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THE CAROUSEL: Coaching movement changing cultures across SE Texas
The coaching carousel in the Greater Houston and Southeast Texas areas has been spinning somewhat under the radar.
In case you missed it, here are some of the biggest storylines.
PEARLAND GETS IT STARTED
When Ricky Tullos took the Bryan High School job, who knew the how the dominos would fall. Follow me on this. Tullos goes to Bryan and defending State Champ coach BJ Gotte of Katy Paetow takes over the Pearland program. Denton Ryan OC Lonnie Teague gets the Paetow job and brings over David Hicks from Allen as an associate head coach. He brings over with him his son David Hicks Jr., who is the No. 1 player on Texas for the 2023 class.
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MILLER SPRNGS TO WILLIS
Trent Miller built a power over the past few seasons at Spring High with his explosive offense. Miller has taken the Willis Wildkat job after the departure of coach Mike Wall. He will have super sophomore QB DJ Lagway to work with for the next two seasons.
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YOUNG JOSEPH GETS MASSIVE JOB
If you have never been to Port Neches-Groves and seen a game at the Reservation, you are missing out. PNG’s Brett Faircloth took the Sulphur Springs job and in comes a familiar name to all of Texas – Jeff Joseph. Jeff is the son of legendary Katy coach Gary Joseph. Jeff was at Southlake Carroll as the special teams coordinator last year.
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MOVEMENT DOWN SOUTH
Texas City coach Leland Surovik moves to the AD spot leaving the Stings job open for now. Blake Ryder takes over at Santa Fe, Kevin Berneathy of Dobie takes the La Porte job, Pasadena Dobie hires Pasadena Rayburn HC Demon Stafford and Brazoswood Danny Youngs leaves to Brenham as Joe Dale Cary takes over the Bucs.
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MOVING ON UP
Coaches are always looking to move up the coaching ladder. Here are some interesting moves. Ramon ChinYoung leaves Willowridge to be a Quality Control coach for the Denver Broncos... Goose Creek-Memorial’s Shannon Carter takes an Abilene Christian assistant job and interim Daniel Ragsdale takes over Patriot Nation… Summer Creek OC Cornelius Harmon gets the Nimitz HC job… Westbury HC Darrel Colbert takes over at Class 6A Beaumont United… Atascocita DC Jacody Coleman is hired as the Dallas Skyline HC… CE King HC Derek Fitzhenry moves to the AD spot and George Young is now the HC… Huffman HC and AD Mike McEachern takes over as the AD at Pflugerville… Hightower assistant Will Blaylock was hired as HC of Lubbock Estacado…Manvel OC Kendrick Crumedy takes over as Jasper’s HC
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SAYING GOODBYE
Legendary coach Cornel Thompson of West Orange-Stark, who led the ‘Stangs to two State titles, has retired… After 19 seasons, John Bolfing hangs up the whistle at Montgomery.
THE GENERALS: Houston's Top 10 trending coaches
The city of Houston is home to some of the most successful active coaches in Texas high school sports. Even the nation. They win at a high level, develop athletes to go to the next level and instill their values in their students.
These are the top program-builders in the area and have filled the trophy cases of their respective schools.
Here are Houston's Top 10 Trending Coaches.
No. 1 Jon Kay, North Shore, Football
Jon Kay has won two state titles in four years
By Bradley Collier
Since taking over the head coaching job at North Shore five years ago, the Detroit-native has won two state titles (2015, 2018). He's been in Galena Park ISD since 1996 and learned under coach David Aymond. Kay is tremendously detail-oriented but gives his assistants room to do their jobs. The 'Stangs are LOADED for 2019 and could reach the state game again. They market their kids and put them in the best position to be successful.
No. 2 Gary Joseph, Katy, Football
Gary Joseph is on the Mt. Rushmore of Texas High School Football
On the Mt. Rushmore of Texas High School football, Gary Joseph has four state titles, 14 district titles and 201 wins. He is the fastest to reach 200 wins in state history and has held leadership positions such as being the THSCA president in 2017-18. His father was also a coaching legend at Wharton HS.
No. 3 Juris Green, The Woodlands, Cross-Country
Juriis Green has become a nationally-recognized coach at TWHS
His dad built the Highlander program decades ago, but Juris is taking it to the next level. The Woodlands boys are going for their fifth consecutive Class 6A state title in cross-country. The Highlanders have also won back-to-back state title in track in 2016 and '17. He was the National Coach of the Year in 2017. TWHS has won 21 XC state titles.
No. 4 Lloyd Banks, FB Marshall, Track
Lloyd Banks has won four state titles in five years.
The Marshall track program has become a dynasty. Banks has led the Buffs to four state title in the past five years -- that's insane. Banks preaches competition on a daily basis and has made Buffalo Run a destination for track stars. He was named the USTFCCCA Boys' Coach of the Year in 2019. He connects to his athletes. He pushes them but also cares tremendously for their well-being.
No. 5 Greg Wise, Yates, Basketball
Yates' Greg Wise has four state titles
The kingpin at Yates has four state titles (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014) to his name and six state tournament appearances. He has been controversial as his teams have rolled up their opponents by over 100 points many times. The Lions are the premiere basketball brand in Houston, drawing droves of fans to see their high-energy tempo.
No. 6 Ron Eastman, The Woodlands, Baseball
TWHS' Ron Eastman was inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame
MLB's Paul Goldschmidt and Jameson Taillon ring a bell? How about NFL star Danny Amendola? They have come through the Highlander program under the direction of Eastman. Eastman won a pair of state titles and reached the state tourney three times. He was inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and was inducted into The Woodlands Hall of Fame in 2011.
No. 7 Vincenzo Cox, Elsik, Soccer
Vincenzo Cox led the Rams to a state title in 2018
Cox has built a beacon in Alief ISD. The Rams won a state championship in 2018 and was named the USA Today Soccer Coach of the Year. He has built a state soccer power from literally nothing. Cox was a sprinter at UH and has become the name in Houston soccer. His is a tremendous communicator and marketeer. Elsik better hold on to this guy.
No. 8 Laneigh Clark, Pearland, Softball
Pearland's Clark has over 630 wins in her career
The Pearland legend has been to four state tournaments and is the second-leading, all-time Texas High School softball coaching win-leader with 637 wins. She has a state title under her belt in 2010 along with 18 consecutive playoff appearances.
No. 9 Budd Booth, Memorial, Tennis
Budd Booth has led his team to 10 straight state tourneys
Booth has been patrolling the courts at Memorial High for over 15 years. In that time, the 'Stangs have been to the state semis for the past decade and the state finals in seven of those years. That's a decade of regional titles and Memorial won it all in 2017. He's also developed dozens of state individuals for both boys and girls.
No. 10 Amy Cataline, Seven Lakes Volleyball
Amy Cataline has led to schools to the state finals
Amy Cataline has led two different teams to school history. She led FB Austin to the state finals in 2015 – a team that hadn't been past the third round. Amy then left for Seven Lakes and led the Spartans to the state finals in her first year for the first time in their school history.
Others of note: Cary Black, Klein Forest, Basketball; Ed Pustejovsky, Cy-Fair, Football; Brien Tuffly, Bellaire, Softball; Brad Butler, Shadow Creek Football; Ricky Tullos, Pearland, Football; James Williams, FB Marshall, Football; Wayne Jones, Episcopal, Basketball