Residents share the traits they want to see in next Marble Falls football coach, athletic director

CAPTION: Dr. Jeff Gasaway, Marble Falls Independent School District superintendent, reads a list of qualities before tearing the page to add more during the community gathering to get feedback from residents on the traits they want in the next athletic director and football head coach. Photo by Jennifer Fierro/TexasChalkTalk.com

Marble Falls Independent School District officials sounded confident they would be able to meet a self-imposed deadline of presenting their recommendation on who to hire as the next football head coach and athletic director to the board of trustees Dec. 18 during its regular board meeting.

“We have 90 applicants and we still have it open until Dec. 4,” Assistant Superintendent of Administration Stan Whittle said to a gathering of residents at Marble Falls High School Nov. 29. “We’re excited about what we have in front of us. We realize this is an extremely important hire for our district, our community and, most importantly, our children.”

But before MFISD administrators began the interviews of candidates, they invited residents to participate in a gathering to tell them the traits of what they want to see in the coach and athletic director. Whittle served as mater of ceremonies, while Dr. Jeff Gasaway, MFISD superintendent, wrote down what was said on large easel pads.

Residents were asked to give feed back on three categories: professional experience, professional skills and other.

Whittle told attendees district leaders will contact 20 candidates then narrow the pool to eight to interview in front of a committee consisting of campus principals, Gasaway and himself. The top three candidates will be called back for another in-person interview.

Residents spoke loudly and clearly on the traits they wanted that included professional experience as an athletic director and head coach, experience in building a foundation from youth to the high school program, is a program builder and knows how to turn a program around, was a coordinator and a member of a successful coaching staff, knows how to delegate and lets assistants do their jobs, develops a coaching staff and builds future head coaches, and has a proven record of success.

That individual has professional skills that includes working with the Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club and Marble Falls Youth Football and Cheer, is able to handle multiple tasks such as leading the football program, the athletic department and other organizations throughout the community, has a military background and a leader of men, and has the expertise to install a strong strength and conditioning program.

Whittle said MFISD leaders will examine “how they did and how their teams performed.”

“Have they turned the program around? Those things are important,” he said.

The ideal candidate is charismatic, “a kid magnet” who can retain and recruit Marble Falls students who aren’t playing football, humble, from a one-high school town, invests in the community, longevity, has people skills, celebrates kids and makes playing fun, a problem solver, looks forward to the future, and has a history of developing a plan and executing it.

The coach knows how to help athletes play collegiate ball, no matter if that’s Division I or junior college, is approachable and likable, resilient and able to handle adversity, who listens to the athletes and is empathic and compassionate, is a motivator, encourages the older athletes to work with the younger athletes, and makes the offseason program a priority.

“That’s why we want that person to start Jan. 8,” Whittle said. “We really do value and see your passion. We want what’s best for your kids.”

Gasaway said MFISD leaders received “input from the student advisory group from the high school” on the traits they want in a football coach and athletic director.

“We’re building a wish list,” he said. “Can we find a candidate that meets a lot of these characteristics? … They’re not going to meet everything. But they’ll meet a lot. We want to get our kids to be around something special.”

Marble Falls High School Principal Patrick Hinson asked if he could address attendees.

“It’s good for me to hear these things,” he said. “It sounds a lot like what I want in this school. What’s important to you in the community is what’s important in the classroom. The way you support me, support this person. Throw your support behind him please. That’s so motivating, that’s invigorating. That’s what it takes. One guy has a lot of influence. It takes a community of coaches and parents. It’s ripe for the picking. And one high school – that’s a bonus. Let’s be all-in on him and let’s give him a chance to be successful.”

The superintendent made it clear that while others will sit on committees and be part of the interviews, he will make the recommendation to the board of trustees on who to hire.

“People send a clear message on what our priorities are,” he said. “The buck stops with me. I’m going to make that decision. I feel like the eight we take to the committee, the majority of those will be a good fit. It’s finding the right fit.”

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