DHS coaching staff ready for new year

BEE PHOTO/TONI WALKER

By Toni Walker
news@steelcountrybee.com
DAINGERFIELD – Football coaches around the state are putting the final touches on the off-season regiments in preparation for fall practices to begin in a few weeks. Daingerfield High School Athletic Director and head coach Mike Waldie is no different.
“At this point last year, I had coaches who had not even made the move yet,” said Waldie. “This year, we have 10 coaches coming back, and we have added two new coaches, so we are already ahead of where we were last year.”
Beginning last August, Waldie had a completely new coaching staff, which gave them team a disadvantage at the beginning of workouts. After losing only eight lettermen, and having his entire coaching staff returning, Waldie likes where they are starting the season in that respect.
“Last year, the first two, really three games of the season, we were searching after Jakauri (Woods) went down with the injury,” said Waldie. “There were things we knew as coaches we could try, but we couldn’t because we had not worked on them yet.”
Offensively, Waldie is pleased with his prospects at the quarterback position. Woods, who was injured in game one last season, Reggie Jeter, who stepped into the role following Woods’ injury, and newcomer Jakobie Alexander all have the potential to help this year’s team.
“We have three quarterbacks who I truly feel could help us win a district championship,” said Waldie.
Offensively, Waldie sees Jeter as the biggest returning player, due to his leadership and experience. Behind Jeter, at the running back position, is Waldie’s biggest offensive question mark, with last years’ stars at the position, Kieston Rushing and Markevian Grant, both graduating.
“You can’t replace 2000 yards like we got from Grant and Rushing last year,” said Waldie, adding, “I think we will be looking at a multi-headed position with plenty of depth, just not as explosive as we were.”
Defensively, Tradarius Lynn and Jose Mendez both project to be key players for a Tiger defense that lost the likes of Cody Williams and Dalton Morgan, just to name a few.
In all, Waldie is excited about the upcoming season, and the potential on the field.
“I am extremely excited to have these four classes on campus together,” said Waldie. “We have the District champion varsity, the JV district champions, and a class of ninth graders that have been district champions. You just don’t get that often. I can see this freshman class being a huge factor.”