New Marble Falls ISD athletic director Timmerman reflects on his first month

CAPTION: Marble Falls Independent School District athletic director and football head coach Keri Timmerman. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

Keri Timmerman has officially been on the job at the athletic director and football head coach for three weeks as the Marble Falls Independent School District athletic director and football head coach.

He was approved for hire by the MFISD Board of Trustees Dec. 18, the final week before the school district took a three-week break for the Christmas holiday. He follows Brian Herman, who resigned the positions Nov. 7.

Timmerman is the top sports administrator for the school district. Therefore, he awakes at 5 a.m. and is behind his desk before sunrise. He set up individual meetings, as many as six a day, with each of the 30 MFISD coaches all in an effort to get to know them beyond their whistles. He finished the last of these sessions Jan. 19.

“I spent 20-30 minutes in face-to-face meetings getting to know who they are and the names of their families,” he said. “I let them ask questions and told them if I can answer them, I will.”

And he recognizes a simple yet important truth.

“They are with our kids every day,” he said.

He noted the conversations served the purposes that he had. In between those meetings, he managed to hire Josh Gilbert as the new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, which was announced Jan. 19. Gilbert comes to Marble Falls from Lockhart High School, a community that mirrors this one in many ways that include the number of families and students as well as resources. Gilbert’s ability to develop and train athletes is among the reasons for his hire, Timmerman said.

“He did it with success,” he said. “He has seven or eight years experience as a play caller, He has a great heart for kids. They play really hard for him. Offensive line is one we’d like to have an expert. We understand each other.”

Goals are in place for the offseason football program that includes getting the Mustangs stronger. Timmerman noted the weight room is a busy spot on campus. While it’s common for new head coaches to change the way athletes do specific tasks and emphasize his vision, Timmerman noted the installation is in steps.

“I’m trying hard not to shake the world up,” he said. “The kids and coaches are killing it in our offseason for football. We’re ramping it up. The kids are showing up and working hard. They’re all gung-ho.”

Timmerman is attending ball games at different facilities across campus. Fans see him in Max Copeland Gym for the home basketball games and at Mustang Stadium to the home soccer matches, the two sports that are currently in season. He also cheered on freshman swimmer Kealin Alford as she competed at the District 13-4A meet and qualified for the Class 4A Region IV meet in the breaststroke, has attended Marble Falls Middle School basketball contests, and powerlifting meets.

“There’s been a lot of good competitive happenings,” he said. “The kids are really competing hard. People get so focused on football. It’s been fun to see the community turn out.”

He has met with the Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club, the primary fundraising arm of the department, and Marble Falls Youth Football and Cheer, the organization whose sole purpose is to introduce the basics of the sport to children from Kindergarten to sixth grade. He has opened Mustang Stadium to elementary-aged students on Saturdays where MFYFC president Nicholas Wood and Brad Goebel, a former Baylor University quarterback, are organizing the sessions.

Timmerman noted he was approached to do this by another adult and has enjoyed watching the participants have fun while improving.

“It’s 50-60 kids throwing and catching with a bunch of dads,” he said. “It’s a fun time to see kids come together. It also gives me a chance to support them.”

He plans continuing the partnership that’s been in place between the MFISD football program and the youth association where schemes, drills and other sport-specific items and information are shared.

“That was really fun to be around who people are excited,” he said. “Youth coaches is an easy way to love on kids. I want to come along side of them and install our offense and defense and instill the vision of our program.”

He has spent time at Marble Falls Middle School during the athletic periods and views it as an opportunity to get to know those athletes and help teach. He was happy that three middle school Lady Mustangs recognized him at the concession stand of one of the home matches and approached him to say hello and regurgitate what he said during a team gathering where they discussed Luke 2:52.

“I love that,” the athletic director said.

And he plans to travel to the different elementary schools. He already has committed to participate in STEAM Day at Spicewood Elementary School Feb. 9.

He noted extraordinary programs have all its entities moving in the same direction to ensure success. He indicated the families, school district personnel, fans and community leaders have been welcoming and have displayed a willingness to perform the tasks necessary for success.

“We’re aligning our goals of the department with the lower levels,” he said. “In small towns, you have great personal support there. They want the kids to have those experiences. You try to come along and align your vision of what those programs look like. They have the same tendencies and have the same terminology and practice the same way.”

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