COACHES OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHTS

Each month, the Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD Athletic Department will recognize a coach for his/her accomplishments in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. The recipient will receive a free pizza and drink courtesy of MOD Pizza. "Our coaches work hard on the field and in the classroom with our students and student-athletes," Athletic Director Brent Barker said. "We wanted to recognize them for their hard work and dedication to EMS ISD Athletics and thank you to MOD Pizza for sponsoring this."

APRIL 2023

Chisholm Trail Assistant Football and Girls Basketball Coach Brandon Jones is the April Spotlight Coach of the Month.
“Thank you to our campus coordinators for this great honor,” He said. “It always feels nice to be recognized for hard-work. It’s a true team effort, we as a coaching staff put in a lot of time behind the scenes, and it’s a great honor.” 
This past year, Coach Jones worked with the Ranger outside linebackers, and this upcoming year will transition to assisting with the offensive line. When not coaching football, he’s working with the Lady Ranger basketball program as they are in their off-season program as well.
“It’s practically football season right now,” he said. “The kids are working hard to get as strong, and fast as they possibly can as we head into summer. With both programs, it’s so important that the kids understand the importance of conditioning and weightlifting to protect joints.”
Going forward with football, he expects his team to be physical, and says there will be several position battles that are going to be exciting to watch.
“Coach Jones is a team player who unselfishly volunteers his time to help support other programs,” Campus Coordinator Byron Bode said. “He works to get the most out of his athletes and students in the classroom.”

MARCH 2023

Chisholm Trail Assistant Volleyball and Track and Field Coach Haley Lancaster is the March Spotlight Coach of the Month.
“This is a huge honor,” she said. “There are so many coaches that are doing so many jobs and lots of good things on this campus. It’s a good feeling to be recognized for my hard work, and dedication. I always try to make a positive impact on these students.” 
Coach Lancaster is part of the Ranger Track and Field coaching staff, who have been one of the top teams at every meet this season. The student athletes have shattered many records, and are full speed ahead as they prepare for the district meet, with hopes of sending as many kids as possible to the state meet next month.
“We have a ton of great kids in our track program,” Coach Lancaster said. “They work hard on the field, and take care of business in the classroom, which we love to see. We have tons of competition, and they all push each other and make each other better.”
When not coaching the track kids, you can find her in the gym preparing for the volleyball season.
“Our off-season program is tough,” she said. “Brooke Smith, who played volleyball at the University of Nebraska, along with her mom {CT Head Volleyball Coach} Janine Smith worked together to create a weight room program for the girls, and they’ve worked hard. When we’re out there playing, we’re focusing on the little things and working on progressions. I’m excited for next season.”
Coach Lancaster pointed to the talent coming up from the middle school level, and the participation they’ve gotten in open gym.
“Coach Lancaster goes above and beyond,” Assistant Campus Coordinator Janine Smith said. “She has had to fill in and take on various roles this year. She is a young coach that aspires to be the best at her craft. She works extremely hard at building positive relationships with all of her students.” 

FEBRUARY 2023

Chisholm Trail Head Freshman Football/Varsity Running Backs and Head Freshman Girls Basketball Coach Khari Burns is the February Spotlight Coach of the Month. Coach Burns is in his third year at Chisholm Trail. 
As the head freshman girls basketball coach, Burns led the Lady Rangers to a 16-6 finish, and a second place finish in District 3-6A.
“I had such a great group of girls this year,” Coach Burns said. “They listened well, they played together, and worked hard every day. These girls loved to practice, and I think that was the difference. This group found a way to overcome adversity and had a great season.”
Now the focus turns to off-season football, and preparing for next year. Coach Burns is excited about having Israel Kaloso back, who rushed for 1000 yards a season ago. As a unit, the Ranger varsity backs had one fumble. “I’m looking forward to having Kaloso back, and looking forward to seeing where his career goes,” he said. 
In addition to Kaloso, he pointed to a pair of incoming juniors: Quintan Washington and Marquest Sorie who he thinks will be ready to carry the torch behind Kaloso.
“Coach Burns is a passionate young coach who has selflessly stepped up in many different roles this year,” Campus Athletic Coordinator Byron Bode said. 

JANUARY 2023

Chisholm Trail Assistant Football, Baseball and Head Boys Wrestling Coach Jacob Farley is the January Spotlight Coach of the Month.
Farley is in his ninth year at Chisholm Trail, and this is his first year as the head wrestling coach. 
“I knew this going in, but in this profession you don’t get recognized a whole lot for the work that you do,” he said. “Any time I get a compliment or an award like this, it’s extremely special to me. There are so many people deserving of this, so getting nominated by the campus coordinators made my day.” 
The Ranger wrestlers are closing out an extremely tough season with their last couple of meets. On New Year’s Eve, they won their first tournament of the year at Frisco Independence High School. They most recently competed at the Alamo City Duals in Judson, where two wrestlers went undefeated in their weight class. 
“Our girls team wrestled very well in Judson, finishing fourth out of 18 schools,” Coach Farley said. “This is Coach {Haley} Heaton and I’s first year, so we’re learning as we go, pushing for the best, and we’re happy that the kids are competing hard each and every time they get out on the mat.” 
The Rangers took 23rd at the Trojan Classic, and 13th against Arlington Bowie and now turn their sights to the regional tournament this weekend, after splitting against sister schools Saginaw and Boswell on senior night, and placing ninth at the district tournament. The Rangers advanced five (three boys and two girls) to regionals. 
“Coach Farley does an outstanding job of building relationships with all students,” Campus Coordinator Byron Bode said. “Not only does he take care of business in the athletic area, but he is also a Rockstar as an English teacher on our campus.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Chisholm Trail Associate Boys Varsity Head Basketball Coach, Head JV Boys Basketball Coach, and Assistant Cross Country Coach Randall Durant is the November/December Spotlight Coach of the Month. 
"This award means a lot to me, getting recognized by my peers and people I work with," Coach Durant said. "Everyone is a coach of the month for the work they put in, but it's nice to be recognized." 
Coach Durant is in his third year on the Ranger coaching staff, and this year has gotten off to a great start. The Ranger Boys Cross Country team placed second at district, and along with one girl advanced to the regional meet. The basketball team is coming off a second place finish a season ago and is looking to make a deep run this year, as district play begins in just a few weeks. 
"Our varsity guys have a chance to be really good," he said. "We're smoothing out some rough spots, but we like where we're at, and the direction we're headed. Our JV team has had a couple close losses as of late, but they've worked really hard, and they're chomping at the bit to get back out there." 
The varsity team went 4-1 at the Cat Claw Classic last weekend, and after defeating South Hills on Tuesday have won six of their last seven games heading into the district opener on Tuesday at L.D. Bell. 
"Coach Durant is a dedicated coach with a decorated resume," Campus Coordinator Byron Bode said. "No job is too small for him. He is all about kids, and loves the opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives."

OCTOBER 2022

Chisholm Trail Head Tennis Coach Josh Michael is the October Spotlight Coach of the Month. 
Coach Michael is in his sixth season at Chisholm Trail, and his fall tennis teams have made the playoffs in all six of those seasons. The Rangers have been the fall district runner-up for three seasons in a row. The spring tennis teams under his leadership have done just as well. The girls team is aiming for their third straight district title, while the boys team was the runner-up last season.
"This is a great feeling to be recognized for all of our hard work, and nominated by our campus coordinators," Coach Michael said. "Our campus coordinators are awesome, they're very supportive and they come out and cheer on our tennis programs. We really appreciate all they do for us." 
The Rangers dropped a heartbreaking 10-8 match to Timber Creek in the bi-district playoffs in early October; in a match that came down to several close individual matches. The team doesn't have much of an off-season in between as matches will ramp up a bit in November before the full slate kicks off in January. 
"Coach Michael does an outstanding job with our tennis program," Campus Coordinator Byron Bode said. "He is a relationship builder with the kids and pours everything he has into them."

SEPTEMBER 2022

Chisholm Trail Assistant Volleyball Coach Bill Tippett is the September Spotlight Coach of the Month. 
Coach Tippett has been with EMS ISD for 12 years, and this is his second year of his second term at Chisholm Trail. He was an assistant volleyball coach and the freshman basketball coach in 2015 and 2016. He has over 20 years coaching volleyball and was a standout athlete himself. 
"This is an awesome feeling," he said. "It's always nice when people recognize your efforts. I feel very fortunate to win this award, and fortunate to be here at Chisholm Trail." 
Chisholm Trail begins the second half of district play this week; splitting the last two games, including a thrilling five set victory against Paschal. The coaching staff is preaching to the team that it takes everyone, and they're looking forward to carrying momentum into the second half of district play! 
"Coach Tippett steps in and helps whenever he is needed," Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Campus Coordinator Janine Smith said. "He is a positive role model, has an amazing work ethic, supports all teams, and helps to build relationships among athletes. He has volunteered to fill in coaching multiple teams in multiple sports and volunteers his time to drive teams to their contests. Chisholm Trail Athletics is proud to have Coach Tippett on our staff, and we are a better department with him here."

AUGUST 2022

Chisholm Trail High School Offensive Coordinator, Assistant Track and Assistant Powerlifting Coach Brian Miller is the August Spotlight Coach of the Month.
Coach Miller is in his sixth year at Chisholm Trail, and his 24th year in coaching. He was a three year letterman in high school at Northwest, and a two year letterman at both Howard Payne University and Stephen F. Austin State University. 
Prior to coming to Chisholm Trail, he was the wide receivers coach for four years at Byron Nelson High School. In the classroom he's taught AVID for four years, Special Education for a year and this year he's teaching P.E. 
"It's an honor to receive this award," he said. "I enjoy working with our staff, and our student-athletes. We all share the same vision and I love working and helping our athletes get better every day." 
This year, the Rangers are off to a 1-0 start after beating Bryan Adams 59-7 to open the season behind 504 yards rushing from the offense. 
"Coach Miller is not only passionate about coaching our student-athletes; he goes above and beyond in preparing their individualized strength and conditioning plans throughout the summer and school year," Head Football Coach and Campus Coordinator Byron Bode said. "He is a great resource for teaching them how to prepare their bodies for an upcoming season and the mental toughness that goes along with it."