The Texas High School Coaches Association was formally organized in 1930 and has grown from 28 members to over 23,000, making it the largest coaching association in the world.
The THSCA recognizes member coaches — both head and assistant — from the various Texas high school sports upon completion of each of their seasons. Nominations are made and honors are given in each of the eight THSCA regions based on season record, awards received by their players and teams and their community involvement.
When the district champion Wimberley High School Texan football team finished their season last month, little doubt existed that Head Coach Doug Warren would be nominated for coach of the year in Region VII. The strength of the district was on full display when the final four teams at the Region IV semi-finals consisted of Wimberley, Navarro, Lago Vista and Jarrell — all participants from 4A District 13. Wimberley would go on to eliminate Cuero in the state semi-final game before facing Carthage in the championship round.
For those paying close attention, it would come as no surprise that other Texan assistants deserved nomination. The Code Red defense and Big Blue offense combined with exceptional special teams play to amass 681 points while allowing only 256 with five shutout victories on their way to a 15-1 record.
Teamwork was rewarded last week as Doug Warren and Dane Saucier were recognized as head and assistant coaches of the year. Both men attribute the awards to upbringing — both are sons of football coaches — and their athletes and staff.
“It’s obviously a reflection of the entire group. Both awards that coach Warren and I got are a reflection of the entire staff all the way to the junior high coaches,” deflected Saucier. “It’s not just one person. I don’t really know how they can give an award like that to just one coach.”
Saucier graduated from Stephen F. Austin University one afternoon, drove out to Wimberley to spend the night, then started his coaching career here the next day.
“I’ve been here 29 years starting with coach Wayne Mahaffey, then Dan Burke, to Coach (Weldon) Nelms and now with Coach Warren,” he said. “I’ve learned from every one of those guys and others like Kelly Parker that I’ve worked with over the years. I get a better understanding of the game by listening and talking to coaches like Wes (Lambert) and Coach (Chris) Ellis on the defensive side. The offensive team (Ryan) McNeely, (Greg) Dydalawicz, and (Brian) Owens worked hard to make this season a success with these young men on the field.”
Coach Warren reflected on the season and his 34 year career in considering the distinction.
“Anytime you get an award it’s nice, but it’s not something in my makeup to strive for those things,” he said. “It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work from a lot of different groups starting with the kids that buy into what we tell them and work extremely hard. We’ve got a great group of coaches that are second to none and that pour their hearts into these kids and support me. Then a great administration that supports us and the things we do. My name is attached to it but it’s really an award for the entire program to be honest.”
Warren noted that the team’s character showed when facing obstacles in late summer, rallying around the experience to draw strength and resolve.
“Each team takes on their own persona,” he explained. “This one is just so unique, unlike any other that I can remember to be honest. They enjoyed coming to work every day. They never showed up grouchy. They got out there and had a great time and just loved playing the sport of football. They were so tight knit and loved their teammates. I think those are the things that were special about about this little group” Warren also considered the success of this team in bringing recognition to the staff.
“This year’s group made a deep playoff run,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of people really expected that from us. They thought we would put a good product out there. They thought we were gonna be hard nosed, play tough, but I don’t think people put a lot of stock in us being able to reach the state championship game.”
