Edwards wanted Marble Falls coaching hires to help students succeed in all phases

Rick Edwards did more than repeat the Marble Falls Independent School District’s motto of having an unyielding commitment to loving every child — he lived it.

That was apparent by the way the MFISD board trustee voted when it came to policies, funding unexpected expenses such as trips for extracurricular activities, and especially hires. Edwards died May 7 from a brain hemorrhage on the same day he was re-elected to the board.

While it’s a given that every MFISD employee embraces the district motto and shows it, the truth is some departments garner more attention than others. One is athletics. Before head coaches are hired, the board typically goes into executive session where members ask the superintendent various questions about the candidate. And not all questions center around qualifications and salary, Dr. Chris Allen, MFISD superintendent said.

“Mr. Edwards’ questions tended to focus on their character and how that would translate to the young people they coached,” Allen said. “He always cared about our kids being successful. He wanted all of our coaches to inspire young people to be fantastic for our community.”

Perhaps because Edwards was a 1983 Marble Falls High School graduate and witnessed firsthand the Mustangs’ success in the 1980s that he understood the impact a successful athletics department can have on a community. When his father, Jerry, started Edwards Risk Management in 1990, the younger Edwards ultimately returned and joined the family business. The 1990s were an especially successful time for the Mustangs, especially from 1991-93 when Marble Falls had the best winning percentage in the state.

When he returned, Edwards volunteered with the Granite Country Youth Soccer Association and served as president.

But Edwards also saw how the football program had hit hard times during the 2000s as Marble Falls was one of the smallest schools in enrollment in the second-largest classification in the state. In 2009, Edwards joined the school board and understood his role from different perspectives: as a former student, whose mother Carolyn worked for the school district as a teacher, as a businessman and as a school leader who wanted to give students numerous opportunities to help them find their paths and set them on a course to fulfilling their dreams and goals.

By then, he was the president and CEO of Edwards Risk Management that he and wife Kim led together.

Therefore in executive session with other MFISD board members, Edwards wanted to know more about a coaching hire that went beyond a winning percentage; fit with this community and how a coach interacted with his athletes also ranked near the top of his list, Allen said. It’s difficult to know the number of head coaches whose contracts Edwards voted for from 2009-2017, his first stint as a board member. The board appointed him a seat in 2018 that retained until he died.

“He also was very interested in knowing how the coach motivated young people to do their best,” the superintendent said. “He wanted to know how they love and inspire young people.”

Relationships mattered to Edwards. That’s why he was among the first to congratulate a new head coaching hire after the board voted and took a short recess to welcome that person and their family. He made it a point to attend as many MFISD events as possible and took great joy in seeing students succeed. He could be found after ball games celebrating with the athletes and coaches and giving them encouragement. When changes are made, whether that comes from the employee or the employee is told one is coming, Edwards did all he could to make the transition as painless as possible, Allen added.

“When you’re in leadership, you’re constantly having to make tough decisions,” he said. “He tried to express as much care and compassion as possible. He wanted people to be set up for success.”

Edwards is survived by his wife and children Collin and Jared. A celebration of life is set for 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at the Marble Falls High School Auditorium, 2101 Mustang Drive.

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