Weekend Recap: Feb. 20
2012-02-20
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We’ve officially reached the bulk of the offseason, which will run from now until roughly May or June. This is a period that’s going to be marked by two very different but equally noteworthy news items: high school coaching changes, and early Class of 2013 college commitments.
Every Monday, make TexasFootball.com your one-stop shop for all of the weekend’s big news across the state during this large offseason period. We’ll keep you up to date on everything you need to know to be a true Texas football fan!
(And, as always, if you see something missing, let me know via e-mail or Twitter.)
Without further ado, your TexasFootball.com Offseason Weekend Recap for February 20, 2012.
HS Coaching News
-It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for Claude Mathis. Back on January 18, the DeSoto coach – 36-14 in four seasons at the helm of the Eagles – was hired away by Tony Levine’s staff at the University of Houston to be the Cougars’ running backs coach. Not a month later – on February 13 – Mathis left the University to return to DeSoto, asking the school board to rescind his not-a-month-old resignation. This weekend, in a special session, the DISD school board did just that, welcoming coach Mathis back to the Eagles. A strange situation – one Mathis chalked up to a decision made in haste – in which much has happened and nothing has changed. Mathis remains a hot name in coaching circles, and this won’t be his last college coaching offer, but for now, Mathis remains an Eagle.
-Because he’s way out in El Paso, EP Andress head coach Allen Sepkowitz may not have the name recognition of some of the state’s big-name coaches. But Sepkowitz is one of 20 winningest coaches in Texas high school football history, winning 258 games over 36 seasons with the Eagles. It’s a career that is coming to an end, as the El Paso Times reports that Sepkowitz will retire after a lengthy, terrific career. He retires with his name in 20th on the all-time coaching wins list, and would’ve entered 2012 as the eighth-winningest active coach in Texas. Another longtime legend calls it quits; can’t say he hasn’t earned it.
-Speaking of longtime head coaches hanging it up, someone has to fill the shoes left by Steve Van Meter, who spent 20 years running the Friendswood program. On Friday, that spot was filled by a familiar face: offensive coordinator Robert Koopman. Koopman, a Hitchcock native, has spent the past 18 years on the Mustangs’ staff, including the past 13 as Van Meter’s offensive coordinator. That familiarity with the program should ensure a smooth transition.
-Things haven’t been great at Anna. Sure, the Coyotes’ 2010 season, earning a 3A playoff spot and finishing 6-5, was pretty good, but since 2004, the Coyotes are just 23-59. For the past three seasons, it’s been Curren McMahon calling the shots, but he opted to resign after a 2-8 season. Now, Anna has hired Justin Heath to run the program. Heath, 38, comes from Longview Spring Hill, where he was the team’s defensive coordinator, previously holding a similar position at Sherman. This will be his first head coaching job, and it figures to be a tough one.
Recruiting News
-My, what a weekend for the Texas A&M Aggies. By my count, the Aggies secured a whopping six commitments after their Junior Day this weekend for their burgeoning 2013 class. The first: Killeen athlete Johnny Jefferson. Jefferson, a 5-10 195-pound burner, is one of the fastest players in the state, running for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while playing mostly running back. Next: Bishop Dunne OL Ishmael Wilson. Wilson’s a big guy – at 6-5 and 275 pounds, he has the kind of projectable frame that coaches like to see – and while he’s been playing guard for Dunne, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him shift out to tackle with his advanced mobility. Next up: another hogmolly, this one Birdville OL Joas Aguilar. Aguilar’s a two-time all-district selection at guard for Birdville, and at 6-5 and 295 pounds, he’s got the kind of size scouts like to see for a guard. (I haven’t seen film on him, so I can’t tell you anything really beyond that; if you’ve got some, pass it along to me.) Next up in the Aggie haul: Rosenberg Terry DB Victor Davis. Terry’s a terrific athlete who’s been playing safety for Terry, and he’s got exceptional ball skills – he takes very good breaks on the ball. Expect the coaches to encourage him to fill out – he’s listed at 6-1 and 178 pounds – but as long as his skills continue progressing, he’s a terrific get. Also committing to Texas A&M this weekend: Pearland Dawson RB James White. Depending on your opinion of a couple of other guys, you could make a strong argument that White is the top running back in the 2013 class. He’s got a terrific mix of size and speed, using that to run for 1,840 yards and 23 touchdowns for Dawson last season. Finally, the Aggies finished off their weekend by getting a verbal commitment from Alief Taylor DB James Wiggins. I think Wiggins might be the biggest get of the weekend – he’s a ballhawking safety who can lay the wood with his 6-3, 200-pound size. In all, it was an exceptionally successful Junior Day for Kevin Sumlin and Co.
-A&M wasn’t the only team doing recruiting work this weekend, as Texas nabbed a verbal commitment from Arlington Martin RB Kyle Hicks. Hicks is a bit undersized as a running back, at 5-10 and 190 pounds, but he makes up for that with top-notch elusiveness and blistering open-field speed. I’m not convinced he sticks at running back in Austin, but he’s certainly got the pedigree to do it, rushing for 1,685 yards and 26 TDs for Martin last season.
Greg Tepper is the associate editor of Dave Campbell's Texas Football and TexasFootball.com.
He can be reached via e-mail, via Twitter (@Tepper) and via the DCTF Facebook page.
