Coach Lineweaver - Euless Trinity

[astroz]

I am trying to find a bio on Coach Lineweaver. I went to Trinity's website, and it had a link to the coaching staff, but there wasn't a bio on Coach Lineweaver. I would appreciate any information about Coach Lineweaver's coaching career.

[LGVAg]

He's been to state a few times... And he made one call that cost him the game. Hang on.

[rantanamo]

Is this the same Lineweaver that led Commerce to all of those titles and deep playoff runs?

[LGVAg]

http://www.smoaky.com/records/viewthread.php?tid=628

[Favpack]

Is this the same Lineweaver that led Commerce to all of those titles and deep playoff runs?

Yes - it is. He's a tremendous coach - success everywhere's gone. My claim to fame is my dad coached Coach Lineweaver many moons ago in Abilene.

[astroz]

Thanks LGVAg, I appreciate the info! Hey Favpack, I have an older brother, who "thought" that he went to school with Coach Lineweaver at Abilene High. I was just trying to confirm that.

[dragonsdaddy]

he coached several years at slc under ledbetter, before going to commerce. his going for 2 late in the title game was one of the oddest moments in an otherwise stellar coaching career.

[Favpack]

Yeah, I would assume he graduated from AHS in the '65-'70 range - could be off a few years. I'm not familiar with the blowing the game call though I've heard it a few times.

[drgnbkr]

he coached several years at slc under ledbetter, before going to commerce. his going for 2 late in the title game was one of the oddest moments in an otherwise stellar coaching career.

His son Aaron, coaches at Carroll Middle School...Coach Ledbetter was instumental in getting Steve his shot at a head coaching spot in Commerce.

[dragonsdaddy]

Yeah, I would assume he graduated from AHS in the '65-'70 range - could be off a few years. I'm not familiar with the blowing the game call though I've heard it a few times.
his option was to go for the tie, which traditionally is how coaches played in title games, and let the kids be co-champs, or go for the win. they went for 2 and failed and thus were relegated to the trash heap that is second. lots of second guessing.

[farmerfan]

his option was to go for the tie, which traditionally is how coaches played in title games, and let the kids be co-champs, or go for the win. they went for 2 and failed and thus were relegated to the trash heap that is second. lots of second guessing.

If I remember correctly, he let the players decide to go for two, he said looking back he would not do it again, however if they convert on that two point conversion then no one even mentions it, and the streak that was sealy never would have made it to back to back champion status. I commend him for his call, even though it did not work out right, you work your butt off all year for a shot at state championship glory, he had the opportunity to win it all and not settle for the tie and he and his players took their chances. The only thing that stinks is I believe the following year was the first year OT was used to decide tied games.

[Shoot2thrill]

If I remember correctly, he let the players decide to go for two, he said looking back he would not do it again, however if they convert on that two point conversion then no one even mentions it, and the streak that was sealy never would have made it to back to back champion status. I commend him for his call, even though it did not work out right, you work your butt off all year for a shot at state championship glory, he had the opportunity to win it all and not settle for the tie and he and his players took their chances. The only thing that stinks is I believe the following year was the first year OT was used to decide tied games.

What made the call even worse is they were ahead on penetrations so a tie would have still given them a state title. Thank goodness that we changed that archaic way of settling tie games. You can't blame him for wanting the title outright without the tie.

[farmerfan]

What made the call even worse is they were ahead on penetrations so a tie would have still given them a state title. Thank goodness that we changed that archaic way of settling tie games. You can't blame him for wanting the title outright without the tie.


In championship games, penetrations did not play a factor. The only reason they did in district or playoff games was it was how they determined who would advance in case of a tie. But once you got to the championship round, a tie would end in a co championship, penetrations and first downs were thrown out the window.

[CoppellCowboy57]

In championship games, penetrations did play a factor. The only reason they did in district or playoff games was it was how they determined who would advance in case of a tie. But once you got to the championship round, a tie would end in a co championship, penetrations and first downs were thrown out the window.

penetrations are stupid if an offense is scoring from 70 yards out ever times, and the other team is moving the ball slowly, 10 yards at a time...penetrations and first downs would mean the winner of the game would be because of a team moving the ball slowly

[Shoot2thrill]

In championship games, penetrations did not play a factor. The only reason they did in district or playoff games was it was how they determined who would advance in case of a tie. But once you got to the championship round, a tie would end in a co championship, penetrations and first downs were thrown out the window.

I had completely forgotten about that rule. :o I should have remembered that since Permian and Beaumont French were co-champions back in 1984 after tying 21-21. The point was though, that Coach Lineweaver had at least a co-championship in hand (assuming the PAT would have been good) and he went for the outright win. I like the gutsy call myself. :cool:

[farmerfan]

I had completely forgotten about that rule. :o I should have remembered that since Permian and Beaumont French were co-champions back in 1984 after tying 21-21. The point was though, that Coach Lineweaver had at least a co-championship in hand (assuming the PAT would have been good) and he went for the outright win. I like the gutsy call myself. :cool:


I agree 100%, Made the state Title in 99 all the more sweeter for Coach Lineweaver and Commerce, remember in 97 they lost to Sealy by 7, so after losing by 1 and 7, the city of Commerce and Coach Lineweaver got to celebrate a state title and beating Sealy to do it had to be icing on the cake.

[smoaky]

For whoever asked...here's an updated resume on Coach Lineweaver.

His record as an assistant coach and head coach is absolutely incredible.

Smoakyt

EULESS TRINITY Trojans
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: Steve Lineweaver (5th-Year)
Enrollment: 2,926

District 6-5A:
Euless Trinity
South Grand Prairie
Coppell
Grand Prairie
Irving Nimitz
Hurst LD Bell
Irving MacArthur
Irving High

OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: (817) 399-3672
A.D. PHONE NUMBER: (817) 283-4461 x2324
ASST. COACHES PHONE NUMBER: (817) 571-0271
OFFICE FAX NUMBER: (817) 354-3330
PRESS BOX PHONE NUMBER: (817) 354-3572
PRESS BOX COORDINATOR: Bill Bookout

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CONTACT YOU?
10:00 a.m./any day

HIGH SCHOOL ADDRESS:
500 North Industrial Blvd.
Euless, TX 76039

HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE:
www.trinitytrojanfootball.com

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Chris Jensen
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Donald Tryon & Pete Gee

OFFENSIVE FORMATION: I formation
DEFENSIVE FORMATION: 4-3

PLEASE LIST YOUR PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE, AND WIN-LOSS RECORD IF HEAD COACH AT EACH LOCATION:
HS/COLLEGE/STATE POS. YRS. WIN-LOSS
Euless Trinity (HC) 2000-Current (*54-13-0) 5 Playoff Teams in 5-Years
(*Includes 5-0 start to 2005 season)

Commerce (HC) 1993-1999 (83-14-2) 7 Playoff Teams in 7-Years
Asst. Coach at Southlake Carroll 1985-1992 (7 Playoff Teams in 8-Years)

OVERALL HEAD COACHING RECORD: (*137-27-2)
*Includes 5-0 start to 2005 season

IF YOU’VE BEEN A HEAD COACH, PLEASE ANSWER:

HOW MANY DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS? 11

HOW MANY PLAYOFF TEAMS? 12 (5 at Euless Trinity, 7 at Commerce)

WHAT’S THE DEEPEST ROUND YOUR CURRENT PROGRAM REACHED THE PLAYOFFS?
1992 State Championship Game, Lost to Converse Judson, 52-0
2001 Semi-Finals, Lost to Lufkin, 27-23
2005 Semi-Finals, Lost to Tyler Lee, 28-7

WHERE DID YOU GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL? Abilene High

DID YOU PLAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL, AND IF YES, WHAT POSITION(S)? No

WHERE DID YOU GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE? Tarleton State

DID YOU PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL, AND IF YES, WHAT POSITION(S)? No

PLEASE LIST THE FIVE GREATEST PLAYERS YOU’VE EVER COACHED (WHEN AND WHERE):
Dane Johnson, KR/WR/RB/DB-Southlake Carroll (Texas Tech)
Lee Foliaki, LB, Euless Trinity (Texas A&M)
Ryan Sienty, LB/FB, Commerce ('99)

LIST THE GREATEST PLAYERS YOU’VE COACHED AGAINST:

PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR MOST EXCITING MOMENT OR GAME IN YOUR COACHING CAREER:
*Winning Class 3-A state championship at Commerce in 1999.

*My first 7th grade football at Fonville Jr. High in Houston, only coach, coached both offense and defense, that was 35-years ago.

PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR MOST DISAPPOINTING MOMENT OR GAME IN YOUR COACHING CAREER:
*Last minute loss to Lufkin in the Class 5-A, Division II semi-finals at Rose Stadium in Tyler, it was cold, wet, nasty, and we jumped on them for a 21-0 lead, but their qb, Reggie McNeal brought them back and threw the game winning touchdown in the final minute.

*During the 1995 Class 3-A state championship game against Sealy, we scored to pull within one, 21-20, and I decided to go for two to win the state championship outright, when a tie would've also secured a state championship. I remember Nebraska's Tom Osborne doing the same thing in 1983 against Miami. Obviously, I didn't sleep well for several nights, and that decision is one that I still think about to this day.

HAVE YOU EVER COACHED IN A HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME? Yes

IF YES, PLEASE LIST OPPONENT, YEAR, RESULT:
YOUR POSITION OPPONENT YR. FINAL SCORE
1988 Beat Navasota, 42-8 (asst. coach at Southlake Carroll)
1992 Beat Coldspring, 48-0 (asst. coach at Southlake Carroll)
1993 Beat Cuero, 14-6 (asst. coach at Southlake Carroll)
1995 Lost to Sealy, 21-20 (head coach at Commerce)
1997 Lost to Sealy, 28-21 (head coach at Commerce)
1999 Beat Sealy, 17-10 (head coach at Commerce)

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR PROGRAM MADE THE STATE PLAYOFFS? 2004

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR PROGRAM MISSED THE STATE PLAYOFFS? 1997 (4-6)

WHO WOULD YOU SAY INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST DURING YOUR COACHING CAREER, AND WHY?
“Oscar Cripps (Long time coach at Spring Branch Stratford. Great Christian role model, great passion and enthusiasm for coaching. Coached with dignity toward all talent-levels. Love of kids and fellow coaches (loyalty).”

ARE YOUR FOOTBALL GAMES BROADCAST ON LOCAL RADIO, AND IF YES, WHAT STATION, ETC.?
RADIO STATION CONTACT PHONE #
(CALL LETTERS/FREQUENCY)

WHAT PLAYERS ARE CONSIDERED THE FIVE MOST INFLUENTIAL IN THE HISTORY OF YOUR CURRENT FOOTBALL PROGRAM? (NOT IN ANY PARTICULAR ORDER)
1) Jay Fitch (QB) – ’81-82
2) Fotu Katoa (LB) – ’81-82
3) Mike Baab (C) – ’95-96
4) Lee Foliaki (LB) – ’99-00
5) 1992 Team AT Southlake Carroll

[chhspantherfan]

classic Farmer in this thread.

[maxtor]

Someone posted about a year ago that Lineweaver was overrated. Who knew?:eek:

[Hooked]

I can tell you a little bit about his early career - I was on the very first football team he ever coached at Spring Forest Junior High School (Spring Branch ISD) in Houston, Texas, in the fall of 1970. He was an assistant coach for my 8th grade team (and he also coached the 7th graders, as well, of course). He had the personality and physique of a Marine drill sergeant back then and he scared the daylights out of us poor 13 year olds!

Much to my chagrin at the time, he was promoted after that one year at Spring Forest to become the 9th grade assistant coach at Westchester High School. He remained at Westchester through at least the 1974 fall season, moving up to become an assistant coach for varsity (linebackers, I think?). I graduated from Westchester in 1975 and lost track of him until I moved into the DFW area after college and, sometime in the late 1980s, happened to read an article about him in the Dallas Morning News when he was the head baseball coach at Southlake Carroll and his son was playing on their eventual state champion baseball team. I have followed his extraordinarily successful career since then and it has become obvious that as he grew older his coaching style matured and evolved in an equally positive manner. :)

Fast forward to the fall of 2004 and I was at an Arlington Lamar-Irving High game at Irving Stadium (one of my older sons was playing for Lamar) and midway through the first quarter, Coach Lineweaver and his wife came walking up the steps on the visitor's side of the field to scout Irving (which was part of Trinity's district at the time). At halftime, I walked up to where they were sitting, as as I approached him and said, "Coach Lineweaver?", he got that "Oh jeez....whose parent of one of my players are you and what do you want?" look on his face. When I then introduced myself and told him I was one of his players he coached at Spring Forest and Westchester, the look of astonishment that immediately washed across his face was only exceeded by the hysterical laughter by his wife at that revelation. :) We had a great conversation and that encounter is just a reminder about what a powerful impact high school and junior high coaches have on the young men the interact with every day.

[chhspantherfan]

I can tell you a little bit about his early career - I was on the very first football team he ever coached at Spring Forest Junior High School (Spring Branch ISD) in Houston, Texas, in the fall of 1970. He was an assistant coach for my 8th grade team (and he also coached the 7th graders, as well, of course). He had the personality and physique of a Marine drill sergeant back then and he scared the daylights out of us poor 13 year olds!

Much to my chagrin at the time, he was promoted after that one year at Spring Forest to become the 9th grade assistant coach at Westchester High School. He remained at Westchester through at least the 1974 fall season, moving up to become an assistant coach for varsity (linebackers, I think?). I graduated from Westchester in 1975 and lost track of him until I moved into the DFW area after college and, sometime in the late 1980s, happened to read an article about him in the Dallas Morning News when he was the head baseball coach at Southlake Carroll and his son was playing on their eventual state champion baseball team. I have followed his extraordinarily successful career since then and it has become obvious that as he grew older his coaching style matured and evolved in an equally positive manner. :)

Fast forward to the fall of 2004 and I was at an Arlington Lamar-Irving High game at Irving Stadium (one of my older sons was playing for Lamar) and midway through the first quarter, Coach Lineweaver and his wife came walking up the steps on the visitor's side of the field to scout Irving (which was part of Trinity's district at the time). At halftime, I walked up to where they were sitting, as as I approached him and said, "Coach Lineweaver?", he got that "Oh jeez....whose parent of one of my players are you and what do you want?" look on his face. When I then introduced myself and told him I was one of his players he coached at Spring Forest and Westchester, the look of astonishment that immediately washed across his face was only exceeded by the hysterical laughter by his wife at that revelation. :) We had a great conversation and that encounter is just a reminder about what a powerful impact high school and junior high coaches have on the young men the interact with every day.

this post makes the thread worthy of resurrection. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[drgnbkr]

this post makes the thread worthy of resurrection. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

This!

[DPaul]

I can tell you a little bit about his early career - I was on the very first football team he ever coached at Spring Forest Junior High School (Spring Branch ISD) in Houston, Texas, in the fall of 1970. He was an assistant coach for my 8th grade team (and he also coached the 7th graders, as well, of course). He had the personality and physique of a Marine drill sergeant back then and he scared the daylights out of us poor 13 year olds!

Much to my chagrin at the time, he was promoted after that one year at Spring Forest to become the 9th grade assistant coach at Westchester High School. He remained at Westchester through at least the 1974 fall season, moving up to become an assistant coach for varsity (linebackers, I think?). I graduated from Westchester in 1975 and lost track of him until I moved into the DFW area after college and, sometime in the late 1980s, happened to read an article about him in the Dallas Morning News when he was the head baseball coach at Southlake Carroll and his son was playing on their eventual state champion baseball team. I have followed his extraordinarily successful career since then and it has become obvious that as he grew older his coaching style matured and evolved in an equally positive manner. :)

Fast forward to the fall of 2004 and I was at an Arlington Lamar-Irving High game at Irving Stadium (one of my older sons was playing for Lamar) and midway through the first quarter, Coach Lineweaver and his wife came walking up the steps on the visitor's side of the field to scout Irving (which was part of Trinity's district at the time). At halftime, I walked up to where they were sitting, as as I approached him and said, "Coach Lineweaver?", he got that "Oh jeez....whose parent of one of my players are you and what do you want?" look on his face. When I then introduced myself and told him I was one of his players he coached at Spring Forest and Westchester, the look of astonishment that immediately washed across his face was only exceeded by the hysterical laughter by his wife at that revelation. :) We had a great conversation and that encounter is just a reminder about what a powerful impact high school and junior high coaches have on the young men the interact with every day.

Awesome story and dpaul's Post of the year.