"The Turnaround": Another Close Call

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Lubbock Cooper Pirates vs. Lubbock High

Location - Lubbock, TexasStadium - Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park
Time - 8:00 p.m.
Captains - Joel Rivera, Raleigh Anderson, Keefe Gallagher, Dom Adame
Coin Toss - We want the ball (Cooper won toss and deferred).

Westerner Key's to victory:
1. Finish drives
2. Ball security/protect the ball
3. Red Zone efficiency (just score!)

Tidbits:

Coach Strunk's Cooper Note
Board

LHS had lost 24 straght games heading into this contest... Cooper is a state-ranked opponent that is located just outside Lubbock city limits... Weather was cool...perfect football weather...crowd approximately 8,000... 

Game Notes:

There is no point in going blow-by-blow on this game. This game was lost on two crucial drives.

With the Westerners up 21-19 in the first half, we had the ball with about 6 minutes to go in the quarter. We were moving the ball pretty good all game. We had it in our hands again. This time we had a chance to go up 28-19 at the half! A lead that would have been the difference in the game. A lead that could have snapped the streak. A lead that, well, simply put, could have been the LEAD of the year.

As it turns out, we marched inside the 5 yard line and came away empty... again. We mixed up the play calling well, I thought. RB Brandon Hernandez was hit for a loss on 1st down. 2nd down we were nailed with a sack. All of a sudden we are back to the 14. On 3rd down, we were sacked again. However, we caught a break as Cooper was called for an offside penalty. This set up and 3rd and goal from the 9. We tried Brandon on a run again. Why? He is an All District Running Back that carries people with him. He makes things happen. Also, I didn't want to be stuck with a 4th and 9. Percentages say, the lesser the yards, the higher the execution rate. I was hoping for very manageable 4th and 4 or 5.

Brandon was hit again in the backfield again. This time getting back to the LOS. I was right where I didn't want to be: 4th and goal from the 9. Kicking a field goal was not in my plans. I have all the confidence in the world in our kicker, Ryan Rodriguez, however, at some point we need to overcome this red zone funk. I can't always kick field goals, especially in a few weeks once district games start. They need to learn to finish. Finish a drive! If we could put 7 on the board it would have been the giant step we need to take!

On 4th and 9, QB Layven Armendariz dropped back and fired a bullet over the middle at WR Bam Jackson. He was open. Bam was walking in with a TD... except a Cooper LB got his hand up at the last second and tipped the ball up and over Bam's head. TD lost. Turnover on downs. 28-19 lead not to be had.

My thought at this point was, let's get into half with the 21-19 lead. Our defense came out and did their job. We got the ball back and ran out the clock. We will take a halftime lead any day of the week. We were up at half on a state ranked opponent. Not a situation too many people would feel down about. 

We felt we could sustain the lead and grind out one more score. Cooper was receiving the 2nd half kick. If we could get a stop and punch one in, we would be alright. Cooper had other plans, however.

Cooper took the opening drive and scored. Their QB threw a long TD to beat our man coverage. I personally felt our coverage was good. CB Amadeo Conyers was in good shape. Travis Windham, the Cooper QB, threw one heck of a ball. Give them credit. Cooper up 27-21. 

We weren't worried. We kept the sore this way until we began a drive with eight minutes left in the 4th quarter. We faced a 3rd and 9 in Cooper territory. from the 48, Armendariz hit Cory Schovanec on the outside. "Schov" caught it, made a move, put his hand on the ground, and off he went. 44 yards later, we are on the 4 yard line. Five minutes to go. Down by 6. On the 4. Time to punch this in and get the "W".

On 1st down, Hernandez carried to the 2 yard line. 3 plays to get two yards! On 2nd and goal from the 2, Armendariz kept it. He was dropped for a loss. now we were looking at 3rd and goal from the 6. No panic. We felt we were going to be fine.

On 3rd and 6 we slipped Brandon out on a screen to the right. He was WIDE open. The only thing between Brandon and the end zone was turf. Turf! Layven released the ball. A strike, so it seemed, until Cooper's DE stuck his left hand out and tipped the ball away. The ball falls to the turf and you could hear the roar of the crowd turn to a groan. He was clearly open.

Now we had another 4th down. Had to get the ball into the end zone. We liked all of our options. This was the make or break play of the game. Everything we wanted was right in front of us. All the frustrations could end, right here, right now. It was time.

Layven dropped back. He peeked the post in the end zone. He didn't like it. He checked to number 2. He didn't like it. Layven stepped up in the pocket. He never checked off to #3. He was dropped for a sack before he could ever get the ball out. Our #3 check down, Brandon Hernandez, was standing wide open to the left. We just didn't get it out to him. Ball game over. Cooper (who added a safety late) wins 29-21. If we punch it in, the safety never happens and we win 28-27, assuming our D had one more stop in them.

Possibly 4 yards from victory. We were on the doorstep again. Can we get any closer?

I will say this. Layven Armendariz is one of the toughest players I have ever been around. We don't want anyone else back there running the offense. Next time out, he makes that play and we pull it out. He is a solid QB and he is our guy all the way to the end. Layven, you are an excellent QB and we have nothing but good times ahead of us. Mental toughness and attitude! You have everything it takes.

Another tough loss to swallow. But we swallowed it. I didn't give them any time to hang their heads. We were back in on Saturday at 9 a.m. No time to rest. Time to work and work harder, at that. 

We enter our bye week this week. We have two weeks to get ready for the Andrews Mustangs. We will be ready!

Good times are ahead! I have no doubt about that!

Talk to you tomorrow....

"The Turnaround": Ready for Cooper

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

We had a cold front move in today. Practice was nice and refreshing, a huge change of pace or us. The heat, especially on the turf, can be unrelenting. The gray overcast skies were also a nice change. Actually, it felt more like a practice in Pennsylvania yesterday during this time of year. The temps were in the low 60's. I would take that every day!

The welcomed cool weather provided a boost in our energy. Very crisp, sound practice today. I have really been liking our Thursday approach to practice. All we need to do now is transfer Thursday into Friday nights. It is easier said then done. However, like I have said all week, we are close to busting out of this. Right at the top of the hill, teetering on success. Once it tips in our favor, watch out. These kids are hungry! They want to succeed and they want to taste victory!

After practice we marched up to the team dining hall and our weekly spaghetti dinner. It is amazing to watch the amount of food these guys consume. Even more amazing is the relationships that are being forged on this team. There is a sense of family in pride in tht team dining hall. It is fun to watch this grow.

Good news...our black jersey's (the one's shipped off for repairs) arrived back in Lubbock today. That means we are going all black tonight. The kids really get pumped when we go all black. Let's hoepe this helps in some fashion tomorrow night!

Concussion Rules...I have fielded numerous questions this week about concussion rules, particularly about helmets coming off during play. In case you missed it last week, our RB, Brandon Hernandez (200 total yards), carried the ball down to the 1 yard line late in the 4th quarter.  Unfortunatley, for us, his helmet popped off. Once a helmet comes off during play, it is MANDATED that the player leave the field of play for at least one snap. 

You cannot call a timeout in this instance. The player must sit for a single snap. There is nothing I could have done in this scenario. Brandon's helmet came off and he had to come out. We didn't score... but we should have. From the 1 yard line you need to be able to score with anybody on your roster. Sure, it hurt not having Brandon in, but the bottom line is we didn't score and it was there to score. The blame is on us, not a rule.

Tomorrow is game day!! Time to get after it!!


Editor's Note: Lubbock plays Cooper tonight. The Westerners are looking to snap their 24-game losing streak.

"The Turnaround": Duane Toliver, Defensive Coordinator

by Jason Strunk

Lubbock High School Head Coach

Lubbock Defensive Coordinator Duane Toliver
Photo courtesy of Paul Anderson

When I came into LHS I had no idea who I was going to retain. One guy I am thankful I kept on board is DC - Duane Toliver.

Duane is a high-energy coach who builds solid rapport with our kids. His intensity tunnels through the defense every day in practice and every Friday night. Our defense plays with a tremendous amount of passion. I think last Friday night against Coronado was the best we have looked on D since our arrival. What that tells me is, Coach Toliver and the defense are evolving and growing into the players we need. He has done an outstanding job!

Duane and his family join my family every Sunday night for dinner at our house. The Toliver's bring their kids over to play with our two rugrats as well. It is house full of fun chaos for a couple of hours. I wouldn't have it any other way!

All of us at LHS are lucky to have Duane on our side. Once we get this thing rolling here he will be in-line for a head coaching position somewhere (I just hope I can hang on to him for as long as I can).

Toliver Bio

Coach Toliver (left) getting after it
Photo courtesy of Paul Anderson

Duane Toliver is entering his 13th year of coaching.  He graduated from Knox City High School in 1996.  While at Knox City he was an All State football and basketball player.  He was also the state runner-up in the discus at the State track meet.  He then attended Texas Tech University, where he played collegiate football.  At Texas Tech he was Academic All Big 12.  Upon his graduation from Texas Tech in 1999, Coach Toliver entered the coaching ranks at Slaton Jr. High (1999-2000).  Then he moved to Lubbock-Cooper  (2000-2002) to become the offensive line coach.  He was a part of the staff that led Lubbock Cooper to their first ever berth into the state playoffs.  From Lubbock-Cooper he moved on to Midland Lee (2002-2004) and Shallowater High School (2004-2007).  This will be Coach Toliver’s fifth year at Lubbock High School. Through the years Coach Toliver has coached in countless playoff games and he has coached 10 different division I athletes. 

He and his wife Michelle have two children.  Trajan Duane (7) and Jordyn Kamile (5). 

Editor's Note from Jeff Fisher: Lubbock head football coach Jason Strunk began writing his daily blog on August 29th.  Every post can be read here on this blog and in the coming weeks on our newly redesigned High School Football America website.  In the meantime, to access his older posts or read from the beginning, click here or go to our Blog Archives in the righthand column beneath Follow us on Twitter.  Follow Coach Strunk on Twitter @WestTXCoach

"The Turaround": Coach Tull, One of the Boys

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Coach Strunk in action
Photo courtesy of Lubbock Avalanche-Journal 

We started practice off yesterday a little today than usual. OC/OL coach Neal Tull went against some of our players in  a OL/DL pass rush drill. Obvioulsy, nobody had hemets on. Whenever the kids see a coach get involved in a drill they immedialtey become excited. This was the case yesterday. 

I felt it was getting a little stale and boring at practice. I like to mix it up and avoid falling into the same old dull routine. So yesterday, following a tough loss, was a perfect time to switch things up. In my opinion, it was what we needed and the kids responded with a good practice. 72 hours following our loss to Coronado, there are no signs that the game even existed. That is always good news.

The coaching staff this week is focused on raising the expectation levels of practice. Our job is to the show the team that we are not backing off from what we expect from them. Now isn't the time to let up and feel sorry for ourselves. It is time to kick it in high gear and start getting some wins. They will respond. When that first paycheck comes (a win) they will be looking for that check every Friday. It becomes addicting. Our guys haven't experienced that as of yet... but they will. We are very, very close to putting it all together!

Following practice we got a good lift in. We lift three times a week during the season. Our objective is to maintain the max weights they ended the summer with. I never understood why teams would lift all year and then stop when the season starts. If you have a 300lb bencher in August, you want him benching 300 in October too, not 250. Strength training and nutrition are the backbone of everything we do here. I will talk about this a lot over the course of this season. 

Some awards for Coronado game:

Offensive MVP - RB, Brandon Hernandez (200 total yards)
The Black Hammer Award - Safety, Keefe Gallagher (2 weeks in a row)
Special Teams Player - Punter, Dalequoin Love (great job with considering the wind he dealt with).

Later today, I will be putting together the second of our coacing staff features. This week it is going to be Defensive Coordinator, Duane Toliver. 

"The Turnaround": Cooper Week

by Jason Strunk

Lubbock High School Head Coach

Saturday

Whether we like it or not, Saturday is a work day for everyone, even following a tough loss. No sense in hanging your head. What is the point in that? Our guys reported at the same time, just like any other Saturday. 9 a.m. they rolled in. Guess what? They were greeted with a smile, pat on the chest and breakfast. Consistency. When you win or lose you need to be consistent. As a staff we are consistent. It is what this program needs.

Sure, we are all stinging. Who wouldn't be? We are invested in this program. Losing hurts. It should hurt. What it shouldn't do is keep you down. Why come in on a Saturday still feeling the emotion of the night before? Get over it. Get started on the next week. 

Life is full of losses. I suffered one of the biggest losses of my life in 1995. It wasn't much fun waking up on January 12, 1995 (as a high school senior) finding out my Mom had died. Just like that 50% of my family was stripped from me. Is that a loss? I think it does qualify as a devastating loss. LIFE losses like that are tough to swallow. I spent about two years feeling sorry for myself. That didn't get me anywhere. All that did was delay the start of my adult life. 

Going through the loss of my Mom made me realize a few things. Number one, life goes on and the world doesn't stop to feel sorry for you. The second thing I learned? Mental toughness and attitude. It is how you go about your daily life that defines you. Nothing will slow me down. 

So when we talk about a football loss, it is not the end of the world to me. Dealing with death taught me how to handle every scenario thrown my way. Saturday morning's after a loss? Please. Been there done that.

The bottom line is, nothing will keep our attitude down and nothing will stand in our way of getting this program right. There are 200 people that look to me every day to get us out of this. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. My players do not need a leader that cannot handle the tough times.

I love these kids. They are going to get the best of me every day I am the Head Coach at LHS. I will not short-change them! 

Time to get ready for Cooper... It is a Saturday and all I know how to do is work harder.

Let's see what tomorrow brings....

"The Turnaround": Coronado 7 Lubbock 0

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Coronado Mustangs vs. Lubbock High

Location - Lubbock, TexasStadium - Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park
Time - 7:30 p.m.
Captains - Joel Rivera, Raleigh Anderson, Keefe Gallagher, Dom Adame

Coin Toss - We want the ball (Coronado won toss and elected to receive).

Westerner Key's to Victory:

1. Start fast
2. Ball security/protect the ball
3. Finish (drives, quarters and the game)


Tidbits
LHS has not beaten Coronado since 1985... The last Westerner victory was on October 23, 2009... We are the home team tonight, but we have elected to wear our white jersey's and black pants... Associate Head Coach David Moody admitted today that he eats at Bonus Burger once a week.

Game Notes

First Half

Coronado started on offense and immediately tried to test us on the first play. They went deep (something you would not expect from them to start the game) and we found ourselves in good position. Erin Lopez, a junior Safety, was playing his deep half cover 2 and was in great position. Lopez broke on the ball and intercepted the pass. The fast start we were looking for was granted to us again. First play from scrimmage and we found ourselves making something happen. 

Unfortunately, we were not able to capitalize on Erin's big play. We drove the ball into Mustang territory, but the offense stalled. Little did I know that this would be the story of the game for us. It seemed like we spent the entire first half driving into Coronado territory. The problem was we could not punch one into the end zone. We shot ourselves in the foot on numerous occasions and Coronado's defense stiffened when it needed to. 

For the first time ever, I found myself going into halftime tied 0-0. In today's game that is unheard of! You have to give credit to both defenses. I think defense is undervalued in this offensive state of my mind we now coach in. We witnessed some great defense in the first half.

Halftime

We felt good heading into halftime. We were going to receive the ball and we felt we could drive down the field and grab the lead. In fact, the way our D was playing I felt one TD would win it. I thought we could do that. I know KJ and his staff also felt good about where they were at too. I am quite certain they also believed that one score by them would win it.

3rd Quarter

We started off moving the ball on our initial drive. We stalled out after crossing midfield. Another frustrating series for us as we could not keep momentum going. Coronado was able to snatch that momentum and grind out the decisive drive of the game. Midway through the 3rd the Mustangs punched one in. The PAT was good and they were up 7-0. 

4th Quarter

We could not sustain any drives. We would drive and come up short. Deep into the 4th we faced a crucial 4th & 5, deep in Mustang territory. We threw a route underneath and it looked like we had a first down. However, the spot came up short and Coronado took over. At this point, the Mustangs could have nailed the door shut on us. Our defense made a stand and forced Coronado to attempt a FG. They have one of the best kickers around. We were staring at 10-0 hole if he hit this. I don't think he got a clean kick on the ball. The kick was short and suddenly we had life. One more chance to make something happen.

When we took over I made the decision that if we scored we were going for 2. Right as the drive started I said it into the headsets. Within a second we already had the 2 point conversion play decided upon. At that moment we felt we were going to score. My grand plan was to score, get the 2 point conversion and get one more stop on D to come out with an 8-7 win. 

We started our drive and you could feel that we were going to make something happen. We had a crucial throw from Layven Armendariz hauled in by Joel Rivera. That kept the chains moving. Suddenly we were into Coronado territory. RB Brandon Hernandez then broke off a long run. The Westerners were in the Red Zone. After a false start and two bungled plays, we faced a long 3rd down conversion. Armendariz hit Bam Jackson on a crossing route and Bam took it all the way down to the 5. We were in business. 

On 1st and goal Hernandez carried the ball down to the 1. There we were. 1 yard away from making this a game and possibly nailing down a win. Hernandez was forced to the sideline after the play because his helmet popped off. That is a MAJOR weapon to remove from the game. On 2nd and goal from the 1, Coronado nailed Armendariz in the backfield. Hernandez entered back in for 3rd and goal from the 4. We gave him the ball, Coronado forced him to bounce and caught him for a loss of 5. Just like that we were looking at 4th and goal from the 9. We went with a 3x1 look. We felt we had leverage to the single receiver side. We threw the fade to Rivera. Coronado's corner made a heck of play and wrestled away an interception. Just like that we were done.

Final score Coronado 7-0. 

Summary

Both teams had opportunities. Coronado capitalized on one and they came away with a "W". It was a frustrating game for us on offense. Duane Toliver put together a great defensive game plan. He had our D rolling. It is a shame we let that effort go wasted.

KJ and I hugged at midfield. Coronado D-Coordinator Mike Meeks and I shared a hug as well. He did an outstanding job. James Vint, my fellow Yankee and Coronado assistant, grabbed me and told me to keep it going, we are on the right track. That is what this game is all about. We lost and it stung. The first people to lift your spirits is the visiting sideline? Unheard of for most, but not when Coronado and LHS hook up in football. It is a great game and it involves relationships that go much deeper than any athletic event can ever match. 

We will bounce back. I know it. The staff knows it. Most importantly, the kids know it. 

Let's see what tomorrow brings...

"The Turnaround": One Day to Coronado

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Rex Fuller, Lubbock Class of '62
talks at team dinner

L-R Bam Jackson, Layven Armendariz, Joe Rivera

Bart Reagor, guest speaker at Team Dinner

It is now 9:15 P.M. and I am finally sitting in my office with some down-time. The best part of my day is when it is all cleared out and I am able to sit down and focus on what I need to do. It has been a crazy day; it has been a crazy week, for that matter.

Thursday's are used as a mental focus day or us. We practice in helmets and work on game simulation. Our staff preaches mental sharpness and clean team reps. Special Teams get good work in on Thursday's as well. We just kind of tie-up all the loose ends and make sure the player's are tuned into the plan.

After today's practice, I felt it was one of the best Thursday practices I have ever been apart of. When I say one of the best ever, I mean anywhere I have ever been, just not at LHS. There was something in the air today. A sense of calm and steely-eyed demeanor. There is nothing else I can really elaborate on with it. The feel today was just impressive. Nothing wrong with feeling good about yourselves the night before a big game.

Thursday Media Luncheon

Every Thursday we have our Media Luncheon at Jones Stadium, home of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. A catered buffet, good crowd, all the media and surrounded by a great set of head coaches from the other three school's in our district. It is a good time. Talk about doing things the right way. Texas high school football is big time. Since I coached at Purdue, I have a pretty good sense of what big time is. Texas is big time! I wouldn't trade my job for anything. It is a true joy being here.

The atmosphere, like always, was light. There is no tension in the room. Good natured ribbing is one of the main courses. I will be talking about these luncheons as we progress through the season. Not a whole lot of time right now.

Thursday Night Spaghetti Dinner

Every Thursday night is special. It is team dinner night. Spaghetti is always the main course. The kids look forward to it. The coaches do as well. It is an hour of sitting down and relaxing.

This is big to me because I consider this a large family dinner. It is all of us together eating and enjoying the night. It helps build team chemistry. We stress the concept of team here. Incorporating these dinners was part of our plan to increase team unity. So far it has been a hit.

After the team settles in, our guest speaker takes center stage. Tonight our sponsor was Schlotzky's and our guess speaker was Rex Fuller, a 1962 LHS grad. His main theme was that this city is proud and he is proud to be a Westerner. It is great to see alumni gradually coming back into the fold. 

After our speakers, we show highlights from the week before. The kids really enjoy watching the clips put together by Coach Maxfield. 

Once the highlight reel runs dry, it is time to eat! My guys can really down the food. Nothing better than a good practice and finishing the day with a great meal!

I need to get moving on some other things.... talk to you tomorrow! Sleep well, because I will not be sleeping at at all!!

Let's see what tomorrow brings...

"The Turnaround": Rain, Rain Go Away

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Westerners practice indoors during rare rain
storm in Lubbock

Practice starts early with 7:30am film session
over breakfast

It was a rare Wednesday in Lubbock. We had this odd encounter with something called rain. Doesn't happen too much out in west Texas- well at least since we moved here. We need the rain so that was welcomed. What we didn't need was the thunder and lightning.

We started practice on the field and about half hour later we had to move inside to our indoor practice facility. After 30 minutes inside, we were able to move back out to the field and finish our practice.




Wednesday's are important. It is the last day to work full speed and practice in helmet's and shoulder's. When our flow gets interrupted it is tough to get a solid practice. But I felt we got a lot of good work. Overall, it was a good practice. Game plan is fully installed. We didn't have any miscues in our communication system or adjustments. I think it was a great way to jump into tomorrow's mental practice day.

Once practice was over, it was time for me to head out to the TV station to do my weekly TV/radio show. It is every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. I enjoy doing it. Any chance I get to talk about my team to an audience I take it. It is great for our program. 

On my way there tonight I had a close encounter. I was driving down Slide Road, when all of a sudden a crazy man, driving a white LISD Suburban, pulled up next to me. This guy was yelling at me. It took a couple of seconds to realize it was ole Kent Jackson, Thee head coach at Coronado High School. There we are, driving down the road laughing at each other. I thought he may try to cut me off. Wouldn't have looked good if two LISD Suburban's were swapping paint down Slide Road. He was in game mode! It is only Wednesday! It was good seeing KJ. I will get a chance to chat with him for about an hour tomorrow at our Media Luncheon. I look forward to those as it gives us a chance to catch up on a weekly basis.

One last note. I name a Coach of the Week every week over the course of the season. This week the winner was:

ADAM ROSALES, RB COACH

Coach Rosales won a $50 gift card to the Double Nickel Steakhouse. He is a tremendous coach and he and his wife definitly earned a steak dinner!

Let's see what tomorrow brings....

"The Turnaround": Coronado Week - Things are Heating Up!

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Lubbock Westerners' trainers Pep (left) & DJ (center)
Photo courtesy Carolina Kopp

It was a hot one today - nearly 130 degrees on the turf. Talk about building character and mental toughness. You could feel the heat coming up from the turf through your shoes. I'm sure everyone was suffering out on the field today, but I can write about it now, so it really isn't complaining. I am just relaying information, I guess. 

It was Tuesday practice; the first day of running through the game plan full speed. Tuesdays are a little slower. I am more concerned about getting it right on Tuesdays. We will get to a faster pace tomorrow.

The great thing about today was we got a lot healthier. Some key guys returning to the fold after missing time since before our scrimmages. We are creating a lot of depth. They say in baseball you can never have enough starting pitching. Well in football, you can never have enough depth, especially up-front. Our trainers, Pep and DJ, have done a great job getting us ready. They open-up at 7 a.m. for treatment and rehab. They approach it like a Division I program. That is a great mentality to have.

Right now, it is status quo for us. We are just rolling along, doing what we do. Tomorrow we will up the tempo and get more team reps going. Special teams looked good today, too. They were flying around. We made every PAT today again too. Really pleased with how Bryan Roberts and Brandt Martin have improved our kicking game. Kicking is a major focus for us.

I heard old Coach Moody getting after it today, too. He and Coach Toliver have the defense amped up. We did some pass rush work today, which always livens up practice.

Let's see what tomorrow brings... Wednesday is always our best practice day! Looking forward to it...

Stayed tuned for a photo blog...

Jeff Fisher's Editor's Note: I'd like to thank everyone who read Monday's blog about Coach Strunk's relationship with Coronado head coach Kent Jackson.  It was read by thousands of people, which shows how much Coach Strunk's look inside the program is becoming a daily read.  If you'd like to follow coach on Twitter, go to @WestTXCoach.

"The Turnaround": Working on Labor Day

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Bam Johnson with TD catch against Canyon
Lubbock Offensive Player of the Week

Labor Day practice was good. We arrived early for hydration and nutrition. We went through our position meetings and started mentally prepping for the Coronado Mustangs.

Nothing out of the ordinary today at practice. 

One thing I know we will work on this week is game simulation with the power going out. 

Never, and I mean never in 16 years, have I ever played a game through a power outage. I don't know how I ever missed planning for that one (catching the sarcasm? because I am laying it on pretty thick right now). It is hard to fathom the scenario we faced Friday night. Sure we have been delayed by rain, lighitning and all that good stuff. But I have never played a game  totally without electronics. No game clock, play clock etc. I promise you we will be ready or a power outage next time...20 years from now, maybe?.

Lubbock High School Weekly Awards

Offensive Player of the Week - WR, Bam Jackson
Defensive Black Hammer Award -Safety,  Keefe Gallagher
Defensive Black Death Awarm - DE, Josh Waugh
Defensive Most Productive - Charles Keller

Tuesday is here... updates as things develop!

"The Turnaround" - Rivals & Friends

by Jason Strunk

Lubbock High School Head Coach

Tracy Strunk, Kent Jackson (Coronado head coach)
Jason Strunk

As I mentioned previously, we have a unique intra-city rivalry with Coronado.

Obviously, both schools like to beat each other. That is always a given. However, since the arrival of head coach Kent Jackson (we were both hired by LISD on the same day) we have become good friends and the respect level for each school has rapidly increased. I feel it is because of the relationship we share.

Back in early January of 2011, I was at the AFCA convention in Dallas. At this point I was still with Purdue. I finished one more round of interviews with LISD personnel in Dallas. They offered me the job in Dallas at the convention. From that point on I was in crazy mode. I needed to fly from Dallas to Lubbock that night for a press conference introducing me as the new LHS coach that morning. My family was also jumping on a plane from Indiana to Lubbock to meet for the press conference. The Strunk clan was all over the place!

That night when I boarded the Southwest flight I was wearing my Purdue travel sweats. I was also deathly ill. It was a rough week. Anyway, I am boarding the plane and walking to the back of the jet where I always sit. As I am walking back this guy (Kent Jackson) says, "Coach Strunk how are you"? I paused for a second thinking to myself that word travels fast or this is someone I offended somewhere. We shook hands and he explained how he knew who I was (the Purdue gear gave it away). I didn't realize LISD was hiring two coaches at the same time. Old KJ was also on his way for the same introductory press conference that I was going to. We both found out on the plane that we were being introduced together. Talk about ironic.

When we landed in Lubbock, we exited the plane together. It was like we were old friends. Chatting it up the whole way. When we entered the terminal my family was there (Tracy, Mac and Kennedy). KJ didn't hesitate. He was grabbing strollers, luggage and everything the family was traveling with to help us load up. I knew him for all of ten minutes and here he is going out of his way to help us out. I knew instantly, regardless of being at rival schools, we were going to be friends.

Since that night in January we have become great friends, almost family-like, to be totally honest.  We went to playoff games together last season. One playoff week we went to Seminole. Kent grew up near there. My wife and I and Kent and his family rode together and had dinner at little restaurant with Kent's parents (the entire place was decked out in the school colors of Seminole). It was a great night. We had a lot of fun.

My wife had heart surgery last February. KJ was there at 7 a.m. waiting with me as Tracy went into surgery. He spent most of the day with me. As the doctor's took Tracy back for surgery, they asked her about her Dad (KJ) that was waiting in the room. They all thought KJ was Tracy's Dad. Funny stuff. From that moment on we just refer to Tracy as KJ's daughter. It gives all a good laugh.

On the football side of things, coaching against each other is fun. We don't get caught up in all that rivalry stuff. Last year we jumped out to a 27-7 lead on them. They came back and got us 49-34. The next morning I stopped in at Coronado's football offices (this is a common thing for KJ and I to do). We talked about the game, laughed a little bit and tried to help each other out for our next games. It is just how we do it. Nothing can stand in the way of a great friendship.

James Vint and Jason Strunk

Yesterday, the very same week we are playing, I found myself in the Coronado offices again. My son had a game at Coronado's field (he plays for Coronado's Pop Warner feeder program). I just popped into KJ's office and grabbed a seat. Tracy eventually joined me. We chatted. I had some friendly banter and ribbing with Coronado staff (Coronado has a Yankee on their staff named James Vint. We play golf together. He can bust you know what with the best of them). It is a really neat relationship. Just imagine Brady Hoke dropping in on Urban at Ohio State? Wouldn't happen. That is why our friendship is special.

Kent Jackson is one of the best coaches I have ever met. He is also one of the best men I have ever met. He runs his program with class and treats his players the right way. Win or lose on Friday night, nothing will change. He will still be Tracy's Dad and he will still be one of the best friends a coach can have.

Looking forward to Friday night!

"The Turnaround" : My Staff

By Jason Strunk

Lubbock Head Football Coach

I will be doing a feature each week with one of our coaches. A photo of the coach will accompany the post as well. These guys work their tails off for me. It is fun to get them some recognition. Trust me, they have earned it. My theory is, you are only as good as your staff.

Today I’ll start with David Moody, my Associate Head Coach, but first here are the names that make our program work.

2012 LHS Varsity Football Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator - Neal Tull
Defensive Coordinator - Duane Toliver
Associate Head Coach - David Moody
Assistant Head Coach/Operations - Cory Kollister
Passing Game Coordinator - Jake Willingham
Secondary Coordinator - Nathan Jephcott
Special Teams Coordinator - Bryan Roberts
Running Backs - Adam Rosales
Wide Receivers - Jinks White
Safeties - Zach Jones
Linebackers - Bryan Thomas
Video Coordinator - Jeremy Maxfield
Academic/Recruiting Coordinator - Dr. Kelly Harper
Graduate Assistant/Nutrition - Colin White

J.V. Staff

Offensive Coordinator - Derek Mauldin
Defensive Coordinator - Bryan Thomas

Freshmen Staff

Head Coach - Steve Ribera
Defensive Coordinator - Bryan Ducas
Offensive Coordinator - Brandt Martin
Defensive Assistant - Scott Simon

Middle School Staff

Cavazos - Kevin Hodges
Hutch - Johnny McCanlies

Training Staff
Anthony Peppers
DJ Abascal

 

David Moody, Lubbock High School Associate Head Coach

It isn't often you inherit a quality coach like David Moody.

He has big time experience on every level, which includes the NFL. He is without a doubt one the best coaches I have ever been around. Yes, he is an outstanding on field coach. However, is off field qualities and how he relates to kids is exceptional. We talk about building relationships with our players. David knows how to do it. You will not find anyone better than David Moody.


Moody Bio:

David Moody is entering his 36th year of coaching. He graduated from Estacado High School in 1970. While at Estacado, he played on the 1968 Class 3-A State Championship football team and in 1970 was an All-State linebacker. He then attended West Texas State University where he played collegiate football and helped lead the West Texas State Buffaloes to the Missouri Valley Conference co-championship in 1972. Upon his graduation from West Texas State University in 1974, he entered private business. He then entered the coaching ranks and coached at Lamar Consolidated (1977-1979) and San Angelo Central (1980-1984). In 1985 he advanced to the college ranks at Angelo State University, where he coached the defensive line for four seasons and the wide receivers for one. He was a member of the coaching staff at Rice University from 1989-1993 where he coached the defensive line. In 1994 he joined Spike Dykes’ staff at Texas Tech University as a receiver’s coach. While at Texas Tech University Coach Moody interned with both the Buffalo Bills in 1997 and the Miami Dolphins in 1998. When Coach Dykes retired following the 1999 season, Moody coached at Lubbock Coronado High School for the 2000 season. In January of 2001, he accepted the job as the fourth head coach in Estacado High School’s history, enabling him to coach at his alma mater. In the fall of 2003 Coach Moody resigned from his alma mater. In February 2004 Moody joined the staff at LHS and remains there today, coaching the DL.

He and his wife have two daughters D’Metrice and LaShaunda, and a son David, III.