Tigers breaking in new assistant coaches

When football practice started Monday at Texas High, it was akin to starting over for head coach Barry Norton.

Of course, every season is new, but Norton's 13th fall at Texas High is different than most in the past due to a shakeup in his coaching staff. While normally Norton might have to replace one or two coaches in a given year, nearly half his staff is new heading into the 2011 season.

"No doubt this is the most I've ever lost at one time," Norton said. "When two of your coaches move on to head coaching positions and four others to coordinator jobs, it's a tough job to find replacements. But new blood is good sometimes. You don't want to get complacent-not that I thought we were. But it get a little stale at times, and I'm really happy with the way the staff rounded out."

The coaching exodus started in the spring when Matt McClure, defensive coordinator with the Tigers since 2002, accepted the head football/athletic director positions at Atlanta, his alma mater, and took secondary coach Matt Graves with him as defensive coordinator. He later added Craig Fant, offensive line coach at THS since 2005, as offensive coordinator.

Todd Ledford, receivers coach for two years under Norton, also left for his alma mater, Arkansas High, where he is also head football coach and athletic director.

Others accepting coordinator positions included linebackers coach Darren Preston, who joined former Tigers coach Scott Surratt at Carthage and defensive ends coach Chris Birdwell, who returned to Hooks, his alma mater.

Norton also had to replace running backs coach John McClure, who was recently named head baseball coach for the Tigers and will coach football at the ninth-grade level.

Most of the changes are on offense, where only coordinator Kyle Preston returns. Newcomers are Kyle O'Quinn (running backs), Jeff Bryant and Dale Mann (line), Toby Foreman (wide receivers) and Scott Norton (tight ends).

O'Quinn has both high school and college coaching experience.

"Kyle played for John Outlaw at Arkadelphia, then coached for him at Sherman and Lufkin, where he was offensive coordinator," Norton said. "Then he went to San Jose State with Fitz Hill, where he coached running backs and tight ends before getting into the administration end of coach. He came back as assistant AD with John Thompson at UCA, but wanted to get back into coaching, and I was able to get him down here.

"Running backs are really high maintenance, and coaches have to be patient with them. Jason Harris was that guy when I first got here, John McClure stepped right into that role, and I think Kyle will be the same guy. I'm excited about coaching our kids."

Bryan, who hails from the Tulsa area, played at the University of Tulsa, and has coached at the college level with Fort Hays State Community College in Kansas and the University of North Texas.

"When Craig Fant left, I called Spencer Leftwich, who I coached with at Stephen F. Austin, and told him I needed an offensive line coach," Norton said. "Spencer is now the offensive line coach at the University of Pittsburgh, and he said Jeff would be a perfect fit for us.

"Jeff's young, but he's a really bright guy. He was a good player, but he's going to be a great coach, and he's going to help our football team."

The hiring of Mann from Van Buren High School in Arkansas allowed Norton to shift Jeff Harrell from offense to his old position coaching defensive ends.

"I'm more involved with the offense, and I need people I can trust on defense," Norton said. "When Jeff told me he wanted to go to defense, I was hesitant to make the change because he meant so much to the offensive line. But after Coach Bryant had been here and while, and I had seen him with the kids, I thought he could haldle it, and I moved Jeff to defense and hired Dale to help with the offensive line.

"Dale has 25 years of experience and had visited us several times through the years. He was on our radar, and now we have a young guy and a more experienced coach for our line. Both are very intelligent, and I think it will work out well."

Norton coached Foreman during the latter's senior year at West Orange High School.

"We've had a bond since that time. Toby was a great player (wide receiver) then and at SFA. He coached at Baytown Lee and Vidor, then went back to West Orange, where he was named receivers coach, then became the offensive coordinator the last three years. He also won three straight state track championships, and will be our head track coach.

"Toby is outstanding with kids and will make us a better team. I've tried to hire him before and finally got it done."

Scott Norton, the head coach's older brother, completes the offensive changes.

"Scottie did a great job at the middle school, and I brought him up the varsity when we had a coach quit," Norton said. "He's really good with the kids, and it's been fun to watch him grow as a coach. He's learning fast, and I'm excited to be able to work for him."

The changes on defense include the move of second-year THS coach Kurt Botkin from tight ends to coordinator, replacing Matt McClure.

"Kurt will oversee our defense. He played at Arkansas and in the NFL for five years, and has great knowledge and energy," Norton said. "He understands what it's like to play at all levels, and will bring something difference to the defense.

"Kurt's been on the defensive side before, but I hired him to coach tight ends because that was the spot we had open, and that's what he played in the pros. He knows how to prepare as a player and a coach and brings a lot to the table. He will do a great job and will be an excellent head coach some day."

Replacing Darren Preston at linebackers coach will be former NFL player Cody Spencer.

"This is Cody's first year to coach, but he played six years in the NFL (Titans, Jets, Lions), and I've always been intrigued with him after I met him when he left the pros. He's played all the coverages we're going to play, and brings some different things from his playing experience that he can teach the kids.

"Of course, you have instant credibility when you've played in the NFL. You can get the kids' attention. He has lots of energy and knows what it takes to get to every level. I think it's good for the kids to hear that. So we have three guys who have played a combined 21 years in the NFL, counting coach (Earnest) Rhone. I think that expereince is invaluable."

Graves' replacement as cornerbacks coach is Michael Ruth, a former Hooks coach, who joins the Tigers from Liberty-Eylau.

"I've known Michael a long time, and (former Hooks and THS baseball coach) Glenn Welch really sang his praises," Norton said. "He wanted to come to Texas High, and what a hard worker he is. I think he's going to be a great addition to our staff."

Rhone (tackles), Harrell (ends) and Pat House (safeties) complete the defensive staff. Harrell will also head the kicking game and will be assisted by Jacob Skinner.

"The thing I like about the new group is we have some guys with experience and some who are younger. I think that mix is important," Norton said. "It's fun to watch the younger ones as they learn how to manage kids from some of the older guys. We always try to find coaches who love football, kids and Texas High, and I think we've hit a home run on all of them."


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