The high school football season kicks off this week with 16 coaches making their debuts in Greater San Antonio. About half are veteran coaches who landed at a new school. The others are getting a chance to lead a program for the first time.
Regardless of their experience, each job has its challenges. Here's a look at the challenges each coach faces at his new position:
Myles Duelm, Madison
Duelm is taking the reins of a program that lost one of the city's top football players to graduation. Wide receiver Jordan Clay is now at the University of Washington after spending all four years of his high school career at Madison. Although Duelm is a first-year head coach, he has plenty of familiarity with the region. He was previously Reagan's offensive coordinator and also worked at Brandeis.
Vernon Hughes, Judson
Hughes takes over a team that hasn't had a winning season since 2021, which is a shocker considering the Rockets' reputation as San Antonio's most decorated football program. Hughes takes over for Mark Soto, a Judson alum who played for and won a state championship under D.W. Rutledge in 1988 but was unable to restore the Rockets to state prominence from the sidelines. The Rockets are never short on talent. Hughes' task will be utilizing that talent to get the Rockets back on track in one of Region IV's toughest Class 6A districts.
Matt McKinney, Harlan
McKinney is tasked with leading one of the city's top 6A programs in his first season as a head coach. He will look to sustain the success the Hawks had under Eddie Salas, who led Harlan to the postseason in all eight of its varsity seasons. While McKinney is in a new role, he is no stranger to the program after serving as Harlan's offensive coordinator since the school opened.
#Football #coach
Regardless of their experience, each job has its challenges. Here's a look at the challenges each coach faces at his new position:
Myles Duelm, Madison
Duelm is taking the reins of a program that lost one of the city's top football players to graduation. Wide receiver Jordan Clay is now at the University of Washington after spending all four years of his high school career at Madison. Although Duelm is a first-year head coach, he has plenty of familiarity with the region. He was previously Reagan's offensive coordinator and also worked at Brandeis.
Vernon Hughes, Judson
Hughes takes over a team that hasn't had a winning season since 2021, which is a shocker considering the Rockets' reputation as San Antonio's most decorated football program. Hughes takes over for Mark Soto, a Judson alum who played for and won a state championship under D.W. Rutledge in 1988 but was unable to restore the Rockets to state prominence from the sidelines. The Rockets are never short on talent. Hughes' task will be utilizing that talent to get the Rockets back on track in one of Region IV's toughest Class 6A districts.
Matt McKinney, Harlan
McKinney is tasked with leading one of the city's top 6A programs in his first season as a head coach. He will look to sustain the success the Hawks had under Eddie Salas, who led Harlan to the postseason in all eight of its varsity seasons. While McKinney is in a new role, he is no stranger to the program after serving as Harlan's offensive coordinator since the school opened.
#Football #coach
2 months ago
