Mr. Buddy Garrity
01-10-2006, 01:49 PM
Departing Colbert contends Memorial in position to win
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By Dave Rogers - The News staff writer Posted: 01/07/06 - 11:55:06 pm CST
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Dean Colbert woke up on his first official day as Memorial High's ex-football coach Saturday and painted a blue-sky picture for his successor.
"Whoever gets the position is going to have a very good situation," he said, "because we have great parents, No. 1, and No. 2, we've basically got the schedule set for next year and we're not going to have to go to Lufkin, we're not going to have to play John Tyler or Tyler Lee and we're not going to have to go to Midland Lee."
Colbert's Memorial teams went 0-6 against those four teams the past two seasons, part of an overall 22-18 record the Titans put together in four years under Colbert.
The only coach and athletic director the school has known turned in his letter of resignation Friday morning.
But Port Arthur schools superintendent Willis Mackey said Friday afternoon that Colbert actually agreed to step down in mid-November, asking for and being granted another six or seven weeks of place-holding to aid his chances to land another job.
The Titans, 2-5 last year in a season interrupted by Hurricane Rita, had winning seasons in their first three years under Colbert and twice went to the playoffs, once as district co-champs.
But they were just 7-8 in predistrict games, including the 0-6 mark the past two years. That was largely because they were forced to travel and play tough teams early in the year because area teams wouldn't schedule them.
Colbert had taken steps to solve that.
"I had arrangements made with Aldine Nimitz, Ozen and another Beaumont school to play next year," he said. "Plus, with realignment, Spring and Humble schools may be gone from our district and Channelview may come in, they're coming up from 4A to 5A. We have put the situation in a positive light."
The biennial district realignment by the UIL is set to be announced Feb. 1. Most schools announce their predistrict schedule that day or soon after.
The school district isn't bound to honor Colbert's deals, of course. Nor are the coaches Colbert made them with. But one thing that shouldn't change are the players coming back for the Titans.
The coach said his biggest disappointment was in not going all the way with the Titans.
"I regret we didn't win a state championship," he said, "but it can happen. And in the near future."
Colbert took exception to a perception that by taking accrued sick leave while he looks for a new job, he would be short-changing the PAISD.
He wanted it known his salary is about $76,000, not $80,000 as written in The News Saturday. And his record as Thomas Jefferson head coach was 6-4, not 6-5.
"I haven't done anything wrong," he said. "I just want it known I'm not the kind of person to sit back and collect a check. I would do everything I have been doing for the last five years for no money, if that was possible. It's not a money issue at all."
The coach says he expects to have his office cleaned out by mid-week and doesn't have any plans to continue performing any of the athletic director responsibilities.
"I don't have any more obligations to the PAISD," he said.
He will continue to work to get his 2005 players college scholarships.
"I'm still going to do that as much as I can. I do that just because I love doing that," he said.
"The number one thing I wanted to do here was make a difference in young people's lives. I think I've done that."
Colbert said he wanted to express thanks to PAISD, especially past and present superintendents Louis Reed and Mackey, for the opportunity to coach. He added thanks to the community of Port Arthur and the Thomas Blvd. Church of Christ.
"I think it's a win-win situation for us all," Colbert said. "There's no hard feelings on my part. I'm just thankful to have the opportunity."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Dave Rogers - The News staff writer Posted: 01/07/06 - 11:55:06 pm CST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Colbert woke up on his first official day as Memorial High's ex-football coach Saturday and painted a blue-sky picture for his successor.
"Whoever gets the position is going to have a very good situation," he said, "because we have great parents, No. 1, and No. 2, we've basically got the schedule set for next year and we're not going to have to go to Lufkin, we're not going to have to play John Tyler or Tyler Lee and we're not going to have to go to Midland Lee."
Colbert's Memorial teams went 0-6 against those four teams the past two seasons, part of an overall 22-18 record the Titans put together in four years under Colbert.
The only coach and athletic director the school has known turned in his letter of resignation Friday morning.
But Port Arthur schools superintendent Willis Mackey said Friday afternoon that Colbert actually agreed to step down in mid-November, asking for and being granted another six or seven weeks of place-holding to aid his chances to land another job.
The Titans, 2-5 last year in a season interrupted by Hurricane Rita, had winning seasons in their first three years under Colbert and twice went to the playoffs, once as district co-champs.
But they were just 7-8 in predistrict games, including the 0-6 mark the past two years. That was largely because they were forced to travel and play tough teams early in the year because area teams wouldn't schedule them.
Colbert had taken steps to solve that.
"I had arrangements made with Aldine Nimitz, Ozen and another Beaumont school to play next year," he said. "Plus, with realignment, Spring and Humble schools may be gone from our district and Channelview may come in, they're coming up from 4A to 5A. We have put the situation in a positive light."
The biennial district realignment by the UIL is set to be announced Feb. 1. Most schools announce their predistrict schedule that day or soon after.
The school district isn't bound to honor Colbert's deals, of course. Nor are the coaches Colbert made them with. But one thing that shouldn't change are the players coming back for the Titans.
The coach said his biggest disappointment was in not going all the way with the Titans.
"I regret we didn't win a state championship," he said, "but it can happen. And in the near future."
Colbert took exception to a perception that by taking accrued sick leave while he looks for a new job, he would be short-changing the PAISD.
He wanted it known his salary is about $76,000, not $80,000 as written in The News Saturday. And his record as Thomas Jefferson head coach was 6-4, not 6-5.
"I haven't done anything wrong," he said. "I just want it known I'm not the kind of person to sit back and collect a check. I would do everything I have been doing for the last five years for no money, if that was possible. It's not a money issue at all."
The coach says he expects to have his office cleaned out by mid-week and doesn't have any plans to continue performing any of the athletic director responsibilities.
"I don't have any more obligations to the PAISD," he said.
He will continue to work to get his 2005 players college scholarships.
"I'm still going to do that as much as I can. I do that just because I love doing that," he said.
"The number one thing I wanted to do here was make a difference in young people's lives. I think I've done that."
Colbert said he wanted to express thanks to PAISD, especially past and present superintendents Louis Reed and Mackey, for the opportunity to coach. He added thanks to the community of Port Arthur and the Thomas Blvd. Church of Christ.
"I think it's a win-win situation for us all," Colbert said. "There's no hard feelings on my part. I'm just thankful to have the opportunity."