SOFTBALL IS IN BROOKS HAACK’S DNA.
Haack’s father, Kalum, coached the sport collegiately for 18 years and is in his 26th year leading the vaunted Katy High program, having won two State Championships and more than 700 games.
Haack’s mother Leslie, the deputy superintendent of Katy ISD, coached wh she opened the Cinco Ranch softball program in the late 1990s.
“Rumor has it (Kalum), run-ruled her and helped make her decision to get into administration,” Haack joked.
Haack’s sister Matte played collegiately, competing for a National Championship her freshman year at Arizona.
So, while Haack was a NCAA Division I quarterback at Louisiana-Lafayette and Northwestern State following an all-state career at Katy High, where he still holds the program record for single game touchdown passes, he takes pride in starting up the softball program at Randle High, as much as being the offensive coordinator for the football program.
“Softball’s been the lifeblood of my family,” Haack said. “It’s one of those things where, if it’s another sport I have to coach, I want something I thoroughly enjoy and that’s been running through my blood since I was born.”
Randle High School is the 28-year-old Haack’s second stint as head softball coach. He led Westfield’s program in 2020 after serving as an assistant softball coach at George Ranch in 2019.
Haack is ideal for building a program like Randle’s from scratch. He is fundamental oriented, much like his father. He’s always engaged in the subtleties of the sport.
“Any time you can steal an out, a base, or a run, that’s something I’m going to do,” he said. “Small ball wins you games. Everybody now wants to hit home runs and get the slugging percentage up. Now, is there a time for that? Yes. But everybody on our team will be able to get a bunt down when it’s called.”
Haack remembers vividly Kalum using the squeeze play three times during the 2019 UIL State Softball Tournament, including one with two strikes that led to the winning run in the State Semifinal.
“It’s more so the thinking of the game,” Haack said of what he’s learned from Kalum. “Being two steps ahead of what everybody else does. The way he teaches the game, teaches the fundamentals. Just the way he’s able to coach and reach his players. If they know you have their best interest at heart, they’re going to play hard for you and they’re going to respond to you.”
Haack wants a program culture of unity and “great team atmosphere.”
He expects to lean on freshmen Peyton Perry (shortstop), Jasmine Tovar (pitcher) and Scarlett Cuevas (catcher) as team leaders.
“I’ve expressed all year to these girls that they’re getting the chance to do something special, laying the groundwork and foundation for the years to come,” Haack said. “So, how do they want to lay that? Do they want to start a successful program, or is it something that’s going to have to build once they’re gone?
“They’ve all bought in that they want this thing to be great early and set that standard high.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
