After five years of coaching, head coach Drake Woodard has stepped down and athletics started the search for a new program lead. On March 25, players and their families were introduced to new head coach Mike Brown.
Through many other schools and positions along the way, Brown describes his inspiration to start coaching and his dedication to continue as, “football and athletics in general gave me a lot of opportunities and taught me life skills and an opportunity to continue my education. So I feel it’s my responsibility as a coach to give back and give the kids that opportunity to further their education.”
Brown’s coaching career has been expansive, starting from his first time coaching at Northwestern Oklahoma State as a student assistant then later becoming a graduate assistant. He finished his time at Northwestern Oklahoma State as the Director of Player Development. After coaching at the collegiate level, he shifted to high school and became an assistant coach and Adapted P.E. teacher at South Lakes High School.
“We got feedback from the parents and the players who were on the interview panel with us, talked to his former head coach that he worked for, and his former athletic director. [We] got very good feedback from them, so we feel very confident that he’s ready to lead the program,” Athletic Director Darrel Wilson said.
Current and new players understood his message and goal for the upcoming season, one of which was junior Kenny Martillo. “I’m happy about his [plans]. He’s going to try to rebuild the entire team, new scheme, new offense, new defense. I talked to him; he has plans for the spring, he has plans for the summer, he has all through December mapped out,’” said Martillo.
“Obviously, the hope and goal is to get into the building next year so I can have a bigger impact of seeing the kids and building a relationship,” Brown said. “I want the kids to love football, understand and set the foundation of the process and start building the house.”
“He’s actually starting soon with out of season practices and out of season workouts and contacting players and parents. We’re very excited. He’s hitting the ground running,” Wilson said.
