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Coaches of the Month Spotlights

Each month, the Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD Athletic Department will recognize a coach for his/her accomplishments in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. The recipient will receive a coupon for a free chicken biscuit or chicken minis, and a plush cow courtesy of Chick-fil-A. "Our coaches work hard on the field and in the classroom with our students and student-athletes," Athletic Director Brent Barker said. "We wanted to recognize them for their hard work and dedication to EMS ISD Athletics and thank you to Chick-fil-A Saginaw for sponsoring this."

                                    March 2024


Head Softball Coach Laura Williams is the March Spotlight Coach of the Month. “It’s kind of surprising being named coach of the month,” she laughed. “It’s enjoyable.” Coach Williams has almost two decades of experience in education, teaching special education with a focus in history. Before joining the Rough Riders, Coach Williams was head coach in Frankston, Texas, where she led the Maidens softball team to the Bi-District Playoffs in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Her leadership has led the Lady Rough Riders to playoffs twice; once in 2021 after a three-year gap in appearances, and again in 2022, winning both the District and Bi-District Championships. “This season is not as good as we really had hoped for,” Coach Williams confessed, “but everyday the girls come out and work hard, and so moving forward we’re going to keep working and doing what we need to do.” When asked about what she looks forward to for the next softball season, she expressed her love for the season as a whole. “I just love softball season. I love being outside. The girls I have coming back are a fun group to be with, great personalities, and so I’m looking forward to having that time with them out in the sun and the wind and the cold and the rain.”

“Coach Williams does an outstanding job with our program and is a tremendous asset to our coaching and campus staff,” said Campus Coordinator Mike Peters. “Coach Williams is extremely positive and coaches with great energy allowing our players to grow and achieve at a high level.”





                                  February 2024


Head Wrestling and Assistant Football Coach Zachery Redden is February’s Coach of the Month. “I’m excited,” he said when asked about how he felt about the honor, “and glad to showcase all of the hard work our kids put in. This is all possible because of them." Coach Redden was a student at Saginaw before he was coach, being named a two-time Regional Qualifier and a part of the 2009 District Championship team for wrestling, and a member of the first playoff team in school history while being selected as a 5A All-District Offensive Tackle during his high school football career. “I thought this year was going to be a rebuilding year for us [in wrestling],” he admitted, “because we lost, on the boys’ side, five seniors, but there was not as much drop off as I expected. We hadn’t been to State in the past two years, so seeing these kids step up into their new roles and be a part of those 16 elite that get to go is awesome to watch.” Redden has a long history of success as proof of his talents as a coach. During his time with the Rough Riders, he’s coached a variable number of District, Regional, All-State, and State Champions. “I’m looking forward to next year. The goal, of course, is to make it back State, but I love working with the athletes and seeing how they will further improve over the season.”

“Coach Redden has made a tireless commitment to the SHS athletic program, and his effort shows with the success of each of the athletes he coaches,” said Campus Coordinator Mike Peters. “He is hard working and has a desire to see every athlete succeed. He is an important part of our coaching staff and the faculty at Saginaw High School.”

                                     January 2024


Saginaw Assistant Football and Assistant Powerlifting Coach Hector Herrera is the January Spotlight Coach of the Month. “I’m honored,” he said about receiving the award. “It’s very rewarding.” Coming fresh off the second powerlifting meet of the season, Coach Herrera couldn’t help but praise the athletes for all their hard work and the progress they have made since practice began in December. “You can see all of the gains they have made since then, and they’re only going to get stronger and better as the season goes on.” He expressed an excitement for the upcoming district meet, admitting “I’m looking forward to seeing these kids compete watch them break through those barriers and become the best lifters that they can become, whether that be regionals, district, or even just the next meet.”

“Coach Herrera is an extremely valuable asset to our program and has a great rapport with players, coaches, the teaching staff, and our campus administration,” Campus Coordinator Mike Peters said. “He brings a great attitude and a tremendous work ethic to our teams every single day.”

November/December 2023

Assistant Football and Track and Field Coach Harold Johnson is the recipient for the joi month of November/December. “This is astonishing,” Coach Johnson expressed. “I’ve never won anything like this before.” He showed a lot of excitement for the upcoming track season and voiced his pride in the football players, saying that they had grown a lot throughout their rough season. “I think we’re just a year away from being able to get those close losses to be wins,” he said optimistically. “We’ve come a long way with how competitive the kids are and how they do on and off the field. With track, too, we have a good mix of veteran returners and incoming kids with some talent, so I’m excited to see how we will get that mix to work.” Coach Johnson looks forward to working with the athletes and helping them become better competitors every day, hoping to take the track and field team to regionals and eventually state and admitting that he can’t wait for the next football season to start too.

“Coach Johnson is an integral part of our coaching staff and of the SHS campus,” Campus Coordinator Mike Peters said. “He brings lots of experience, high character, and knowledge to the job and he is an outstanding role-model for our student-athletes.”

OCTOBER 2023

Saginaw Assistant Cross Country/Track Coach Dustin James is the October Spotlight Coach of the Month. Coach James is in his first year as a Rough Rider and came over from Rough Rider feeder school Highland Middle. This year was his first ever year coaching Cross Country. “This is definitely unexpected,” he said. “I go out and do what I feel like is necessary and right for the kids, first and foremost making sure they are taken care of. I like to make sure our student athletes are performing at their best. This is really cool, and I’m honored that our administration thought of me, because I feel like I go out and am the biggest cheerleader for our athletes.” The Rough Rider Cross Country team was young this year, especially on the girls side; with six freshmen contributing at the district meet. Overall, there were many PRs set, Brady Brooks advanced to Regionals for the third time; and is one of the top runners in Rough Rider history. “For me, coming in with such a young team, we’re in it together and learning together,” Coach James said. “It was awesome having this group of seniors, learning from them, and overall watching everyone progress as the season went on. Seeing their emotions as their times consistently dropped throughout the season, was so rewarding for me as a coach. This group should be together for the next three or four season, and I’m excited for what’s to come.” With track season just around the corner, the Rough Riders have already begun training,  and are looking forward to competing for a district championship. “Coach James has done an outstanding job in continuing the improvement of our cross-country program,” Campus Coordinator Mike Peters said. “He coaches both the boys and girls and has a great deal of knowledge and a tremendous work ethic that has brought instant success to our team.”  

SEPTEMBER 2023

Saginaw Assistant Football, Boys Basketball and Baseball Coach Eric Harper is the recipient for September. “This is a very exciting thing for me,” he said. “I just got here, and knowing that I’m appreciated for what I do, means a lot to me.” Coach Harper came from Mineral Wells and is in his first year as a Rough Rider. “It’s definitely a lot bigger here than at Mineral Wells,” he said with a laugh. “It’s been fun here, and I’ve learned a lot in my short time here thus far.” He coaches the defensive tackles, and with the second half of the season upon us, he praised the work of Donnell Jackson, calling him “an enforcer on the defensive line, and fun to watch.” Coach Harper is excited to watch his guys go out and compete in the final games of the regular season. The Rough Riders close out with Northwest, Azle, The Colony and South Hills. “Coach Harper has done an outstanding job this season,” Campus Coordinator Mike Peters said. “He is a motivator for our kids, and is a great fit on our coaching staff.”

AUGUST 2023


Saginaw Head Volleyball Coach Peggy Randolph is the recipient for August. “It’s an honor to receive this award,” she said. “Our kids are working hard, and I’m proud of where we are, and the direction we’re headed.” Saginaw Volleyball had a busy start to the season, playing 28 games from the beginning of August leading up to the District 5-5A opener last Friday, Sept. 8. With three varsity returners from a season ago, the amount of games and extra reps allowed them to find their identity and gain confidence as the district slate looms. “We knew initially it could be a little rough,” Coach Randolph said. “In order to gain experience, you have to get beat up from time to time. We have taken our share of beatings, but our girls have great attitudes, come in every day ready to work and we’re starting to see that growth from them.” While Saginaw came up just short in their district opener, the Lady Rough Rider coaching staff is optimistic and believe that with their continued confidence they can make a playoff run. They’ll look to move towards that goal this week as they take on Wichita Falls Rider at home, and travel to Azle and Aledo next week. “Coach Randolph is doing a fantastic job in her first season as our volleyball head coach,” Campus Coordinator Mike Peters said. “She brings a ton of energy and a highly positive attitude to our program as well as our campus.”

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