FEATURE: An Experienced, Stellar Coaching Staff at the Second Baptist School

There are not many coaching staffs that can rival the one at the Second Baptist School.

A veteran head coach with more than 30 years of experience, a state champion running back at Katy and star at Nebraska, a Super Bowl champion, a captain from the University of Oklahoma and a plethora of experienced coaches fill the 12-man staff.

It's an impressive group.

"It gives us credibility when we're running out experience, plus energy, plus knowledge with these kids," Second Baptist School coach Terry Pirtle said about presenting an experienced coaching staff to players. "The {kids} buy into it. The coaches love building into the lives of our players."

Pirtle is entering his seventh season leading the Eagles, while 2019 will be his 31 ^st year roaming the sidelines.

Joining him in the 30-plus club when it comes to experience is William Leonard, who coaches defensive backs and is 34 years into the business. Another experienced coach is Keith Page.

Page is in his fourth year at the Second Baptist School, second as the defensive coordinator, but 2019 serves as his 18 ^th overall year coaching at the private school level in Houston.

Having that wealth of Houston-area private school knowledge available is invaluable.

"He knows the culture of every school in Houston," Pirtle said about Page. "He is able to help us understand who we're playing and how we're playing them. He does an unbelievable job of scheming and preparing our defense, which was one of the best in TAPPS last year. He's done a tremendous job."

Now, the former stars.

Pirtle added Super Bowl XXXV Champion Alan Ricard this offseason. Ricard was a part of the Baltimore Ravens 2001 Super Bowl Championship in a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants.

Ricard spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Ravens, Bills, Browns and Lions. His longest stint was with the Ravens from 2000-2005.

Last year, Ricard was a coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe before coming to Houston to coach halfbacks and tight ends at the Second Baptist School.

Running backs coach Adam Taylor played high school ball at Katy, where he helped guide the Tigers to the 2012 state championship. Taylor went on to play at Nebraska. Finally, Corey "Deuce" Warren helps in the secondary.

Warren played at Oklahoma from 1990-1993, finishing with 97 receptions for 1,593 yards and 12 scores in his career and serving as a captain for the Sooners his senior season.

"Many of our coaches have opportunities to coach at other places, but they choose to coach here because Second Baptist School gives them the opportunity to combine their passion with their ministry," Second Baptist School Director of Athletics Mike Walker said. "These men love God, love students and have a passion for football."

Other notable coaches on staff include offensive line coach Brad Lane, who played at Navy and enters his 11 ^th season at the Second Baptist School, and offensive coordinator DJ Steward, whose brother AJ is currently the running backs coach at BYU. Also, defensive line coach Jordan Reynolds started at TCU and is another new addition to the staff in 2019.

"Our coaching staff is comprised of men of different ages, so it's a real good mix of coaches that have a lot of experience with some that are young and energetic," Pirtle said. "We have a very good combination of experience, age, youth and we have a lot of energy on our staff. And just a great love for kids.

"We have a wealth of experience on our staff."

So, with all this experience and illustrious playing careers and moments, there must be some great stories and funny moments with this group.

Warren provides that by bringing some light-heartedness to an Eagles progress with "Corey-isms".

"He can pull out some sayings," Pirtle said with a laugh. "I'll ask 'Corey do you have a problem?'. He'll respond with 'Coach, if you see me and a bear fighting in the woods, pour honey on me and help the bear'. He's always pulling stuff out like that, which makes practice fun. I can't recall all of them but he will hit you with a zinger out of nowhere."

Bringing this amount of experience and talented coaches together is impressive, especially the way it benefits the players on a day-in, day-out process.

So, what brings them all to the Second Baptist School.

"I think it's just a culture thing," Pirtle said. "We have great facilities, great support, part of one of the most established churches in the nation. Having that support is great. Having a high academic standard for our kids. It's a good combination of a lot of good things that help grow young men. We have all the tools here."