Head coaches welcome new season, programs

Even during these uncertain times, everyone in Rockdale and its surrounding communities are anticipating the return of high school football. However, the sidelines will look a tad bit different this year as new coaches take the helm of their respective teams.

A few weeks ago, RHS named Jacob Campsey as the new head football coach from a pool of 71 applicants. Campsey has served as the defensive coordinator under coach Jeff Miller for six years.

In Thorndale, Jeff Kovar was named head coach last week. He will be replacing Scott Hawkins, who is headed to Liberty Hill High School.

Both men are stepping into shoes of successful programs and expectations to win will remain high.

I had the pleasure of meeting Miller at his farewell event.

I saw the tremendous love and heartfelt gratitude people expressed towards him as they thanked him for bringing Rockdale its first state championship in over 40 years. It was obvious that he meant a lot to our community during his tenure.

As I thought about what the up-and-coming season may bring, I thought about what it must be like for Campsey. Miller will be a tough act to follow, especially for someone’s first head coaching job.

I wondered if Campsey would be feeling any sense of nervousness or pressure about succeeding the winningest head coach in Rockdale history.

With Miller being such a vital part of the community, would people compare every move Campsey makes to Miller. Also, with it being his first year, would they have faith that he will carry on the winning tradition.

Campsey said he feels like he’s in a great spot since he’s been here for the last six years as opposed to being completely new to the area.

He also stated that he can’t dwell on being compared to Miller because that would bring more pressure.

“Expectations are to win every year,” Campsey said. “Coach Miller did a lot for me and meant a lot to the community, but I have to do this the Jacob Campsey way.”

New Thorndale Head Coach Kovar faces the same predicament as he will try to maintain the success of previous coach Scott Hawkins.

Hawkins, in his six seasons, helped the Bulldogs improve their record each year of his tenure. The Bulldogs finished last season with a 9-3 record and earned a second-round playoff berth for the second year in a row.

Thorndale ISD superintendent Adam Ivy made it clear that the expectations have not waivered for the Bulldogs and they expect to win.

Kovar says that he is ready for the challenge and he’s not worried about being compared to Hawkins.

“I don’t pay attention to any of that stuff,” Kovar said. “We can’t look in the past. We have to move forward. I am excited for the challenge.”

As I prepare for my first season covering Texas football. I look forward to covering the first seasons of these two coaches. Both coaches enter with

Both coaches enter with plenty of experience and I expect both of them to run successful programs. I hope that the community will accept both men and remember that empires are not built overnight.

Whether Campsey and Kovar have successful seasons or not, we must give them time to implement their game plans and cultures to their teams.

Let’s give these coaches our full support and cheer them on whether it’s win, lose or draw.