Live From THSCA in Austin

AUSTIN _ Find a parking spot and come on in. The Texas High School Coaches Association is well underway at the Austin Convention Center in downtown.

I'll be updating info as the day go on...

Sunday night

Evolving into one of the school's most popular new events in recent years is a coaches forum. There's Larry Coker, Gary Patterson, Mack Brown, David Bailiff, Art Briles, Todd Dodge, Kevin Sumlin and June Jones (left to right on stage)...

And they'll answer open-mike questions from any coach from Wink to Allen....The major topic this forum became developing leadership skills among players

Todd Dodge says North Texas is trying some team-building exercises suggested by Rockwall coach Scott Smith... He divides his team into groups of 12 and the groups are graded on how well they get tasks done through the spring...

Another question: "How do you decide which player to offer a scholarship when you have five talented players?"

Mack Brown: "It's like dating. If there are five good looking women that you're looking at. It's probably the one that likes you most."

Rice coach David Bailiff... And please not Rice won 10 games last season and has SIX players in this year's THSCA All-Star game...

"When you look at film, look with players who play with passion and not players who are playing not to get their butt chewed (late in video sessions)."

Another hot topic: Loyalty...

... consensus answers... Want a coaching staff that represents each other when other coaches are not in the room... (read no subtle or not so subtle verbal back-stabbing, second-guessing)... Loyalty is a two-way street for head coach to help his assistants...

Good general comment on staff moral: "we've all worked for guys where the biggest question was whether you had more butt than he had teeth" to chew you out...said Bailiff.....

How big a deal is THSCA?

"Today (July 19) is my 23rd wedding anniversary and I'm here," Todd Dodge, who also played in the THSCA all-star game.. Of course, Coach Dodge was smart enough to marry the daughter of a coach/athletic director who knows summer vacation ends the Saturday heading into THSCA...

A&M hard at work too

The forum panel _ led expertly by Craig Way _ includes all DI state coaches but second year A&M coach Mike Sherman had a conflict with a speaking engagement with a San Antonio Aggies group.

The Aggies assistants were noticeable at the forum...Saw A&M defensive coach Kirk Doll, whose son Kyle (go figure that name for a twice-tenured A&M assistant) is a top tight end prospect at A&M Consol... Kyle Doll (6-4, 200) has early offer from UNLV..

Mississippi State assistant Melvin Smith (a former A&M assistant) also has a talented son at Consol _ junior receiver Rickey Smith _ a speedy 6-0, 190-pounder..

Juicy topic

Katy has heralded running back transfer Donovonn Young from Humble. He's a great player and played for Katy's 7-on-7 state qualifier. But Young's move from Humble has to clear the UIL eligibility process... Katy has had UIL run-ins before and theoldcoach hears Tigers coach Gary Joseph wants every i dotted and t crossed on this one... before Young starts playing...

No charges of impropriety... Young's dad played at Katy but it's the technicial aspect... Youngs have an apartment in Katy but stills trying to sell Houston home... and having two residences can be a paperwork problem...

Most moving moment

With Texas coach Mack Brown speaking to an audience of more than 3,000 coaches Monday morning, 85-year-old former Texas coach Darrell K. Royal arrived to make an appearance.

The coaches gave Royal a standing ovation.

Best dressed coach

Just the way he rolls: North Mesquite coach Mike Robinson is in coat and tie.

He'll also manicure a field for you when it doesn't look good...

The unofficial THSCA attire is the school logo golf shirt, shorts or khakis and tennis shoes... There are no booths in exhibition hall for ties...

Best booth gimmick

An electronic sponser (Webb Electronics I think) ... has a card tablehosted by two very nice young women in black dresses ....not sure of their coaching backgrounds, but their table seems to be full ...