GAMES
RANKINGS
High School coaches from across Houston were hosted by Jim McIngvale and Gallery Furniture
THE BIG GAME: McIngvale gives once-in-lifetime opportunity to Houston HS coaches
Houston was at the epicenter of the college football landscape last night as the Bayou City hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship at NRG Stadium.
While Michigan knocked off Washington, 34-13, to hoist the hardware and earn at National Championship, Gallery Furniture’s Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale hosted dozens of high school football coaches from across the city, opening his luxury box to those leaders of young men from Greater Houston.
“Truthfully, this is my Super Bowl,” Grand Oaks coach Shaun McDowell said. “I love NFL football, but I have a passion for college football. Not just a single team but for all the great college football coaches who come through my office. They really inspire me.
“A big thanks to Mattress Mack for doing this. It just shows his overwhelming support for high school coaches. Seeing him speak at the Regional Meeting at Coaches’ School plus the Touchdown Club, he’s just a hometown hero.”
College assistant coaches and 1989 Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware also passed through the suite to pay their respects to Houston-area high school football coaches.
“Dickinson High School meant everything to me,” Ware said. “It changed my life. I’m still very connected to Coach (James) Farris and we talk or text on a weekly basis. Our relationship still holds true today.”
McIngvale’s nephew and Atascocita assistant coach Thomas Dunson played a huge role in coordinating the event.
“It’s always been my goal to reinvest in the Houston,” Jim McIngvale said of the event. “I align with high school coaches because they are reinvesting in their own communities and building future Texas leaders. I support all that they do.”
As handshakes and hospitality were the fare of the evening, coaches genuinely appreciated the support of one of Houston’s most legendary citizens.
“It’s the best feeling in the world to have someone like Mattress Mack appreciate the grind that we, as coaches, go through,” Sam Rayburn coach Sergio Gonzalez said. “From what we do for our community and our kids, he makes us feel very appreciated.”
“This is amazing. It shows his contribution and respect for coaches in the area,” Fulshear coach Nick Codutti said. “Having an opportunity to be with your peers… people you don’t get to spend a lot of time with and just have some fun, it’s a one in a lifetime experience.”
For Lamar coach Michael Lindsey, the evening meant a little more as one of his former players, Jaivion Green, played in the game for the Washington Huskies.
“I’m so proud Jaivion and his accomplishment,” Lindsey said. “This is pretty surreal to see him playing in this game. Honestly, when I got the text to come to the game, I didn’t know it was real. It’s really cool to see everyone here… it’s really special. We have a two-year-old, so what a great date night.”
Some coaches were dialed into the game at the edge of their seats as a fan.
“The energy in the building is phenomenal,” Ridge Point coach Rick LaFavers said. “To be a fan and not on the sideline is really fun. You can sit back and question the calls and hang out with our community of coaches is something I’m honored to be a part of.”
“This is an awesome experience for us to bring a loved one to something like this and just enjoy the night,” Bridgeland coach Lonnie Madison said. “It was really exciting for us to have an opportunity like this.”
Another touchdown for "Mattress Mack" as he continues to show his support for local sports with a big gesture to the generals of high school football.
Willie Gaston set to led his alma mater - North Shore
THE HEADLINES: NIL; QB Bailey; Coaching Changes top storylines entering 2023
NIL AND THE PORTAL
High school football and recruiting has changed forever and there is no getting the toothpaste back in the tube.
First, the portal. The portal coupled with COVID was a hurricane for high school athletes. Why? For the classes of 2021 and 2022, recruiting was somewhat stalled because college athletes were granted a COVID year while the scholarship numbers per school were not increased.
It was a numbers game. Where would the incoming 25 or so scholarship athletes fit into the 85 football scholarships that universities are allotted? It was tough to be a mid-major recruit in high school sports.
Add that to the opening of the portal and it was mass chaos. Fringe college players were hopping in the portal to find a soft, landing spot, usually moving downward to a mid-major or FCS program or out of college athletics all together. That further cut into the opportunities for high school athletes. BCS programs were filling up with Power 5 portal athletes. The good news is that the cycle is starting to smooth out as time marches forward after COVID and the extra year given to those athletes are starting to cycle out.
Now, how about the NIL? Are you ready for this number? $10-plus million. In Greater Houston, it is VYPE’s estimation that the Class of 2024 will sign guarantees of $10 million upon arriving on their respective campuses by the schools’ Collectives. An NIL Collective is a program designed to facilitate athletes’ potential endorsement opportunities. So, putting pen to paper on National Signing Day is a lot different than it was a few years ago. They are signing for scholarships, but also for future finances.
Stay tuned.
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HE’S BACK
Quarterback Kaleb Bailey won a State Title as a freshman… at North Shore.
Imagine a freshman leading a team of Alphas to the promised land in 2021.
That’s a story in itself, right? Well, a few games into the 2022 season, someone stepped on Superman’s cape. Bailey suffered a serious knee injury against CE King and would be lost for the season. A season that ended in the State Final against… Duncanville, again.
“It’s was an unimaginable experience,” Bailey said. “God has brought me through every event, good or bad,” he said. “It’s been a blessing that I’ve been through this now because I have an actual testimony.
“My mind was all over the place. I really didn’t know what to think because I had never been injured like this. But I’ve always been told that God is with me, so stay positive.”
Bailey watched from the sideline. It may have been more painful than surgery and rehab wrapped into one.
“The biggest motivation for me throughout this whole process was my family,” he said. “I owe it to myself to get what I deserve, because it was a worse pain when I couldn’t help my brothers compete.”
Rehab, workout, throw… rinse and repeat. North Shore coaches have been optimistic throughout the process, saying that he is better than before the injury. Bailey is confident as well.
“This season is called my ‘Revenge Tour’,” Bailey said. “My junior year… this is where I wake the whole nation up. I’m not going to say too much, but just keep an eye out for North Shore quarterback Kaleb Bailey.”
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THE CAROUSEL
As the ball kicks off, there will be several new faces leading some of the top power programs in Houston. Here are a biggest changes at the top.
TOP 10 Most Interesting Coaching Changes (In alphabetical order)
Bridgeland – Lonnie Madison, College Park HC
Crosby Cougars – Joe Willis, Cedar Park HC
Eisenhower – Odell James, Duncanville QB Coach
El Campo – Travis Reeve, New Caney, HC
Grand Oaks – Shaun McDowell, Foster HC
Klein Forest – Derrick Vaughn, Willis DC
Manvel – Kirk Martin, Colleyville Heritage HC
North Shore – Willie Gaston, North Shore OC
Paetow – David Hicks, Paetow Interim
New Caney – Mike DeWitt, Coppell HC