Published: May 15, 2008 10:15 am            

VanBeber takes over Waurika Eagles’ football team

EMPIRE — After two years in charge of the Empire Bulldogs’ football program, Larry VanBeber is heading south to take over the Waurika Eagles.

VanBeber was introduced as the new Waurika High School head football coach Monday night at the Waurika Board of Education meeting. He becomes the Eagles’ third head coach in three years, replacing Justin Snider, who went 0-10 in his one season with WHS.

VanBeber guided the Bulldogs to a 5-5 record, falling just short of a playoff spot. When he took over the EHS program, the Bulldogs were coming off a winless season and a 1-9 mark the previous year.

VanBeber turned the Bulldogs into a legit contender that otherwise would have made the postseason if not for a pair of one-point losses to Wynnewood and Walters. Now, VanBeber enters a situation that, much like when he arrived at Empire, needs some positive energy and fine tuning.

The Eagles went winless last season, three years removed from their last .500-or-better record. Waurika suffered through a long list of injuries and defections under Snider last season, but VanBeber doesn’t think last season’s issues will affect his tenure.

“The absolute toughest thing will be maintaining a positive attitude,” VanBeber said. “These kids had a tough year and, by the end of the season, had just enough players to put on the field.

“My goal isn’t to come in here with an iron fist, you just can’t get anything done like that. We’re going to get to know each other, learn football and build good relationships.”

VanBeber’s reasoning for taking over a down program wasn’t bred out of necessity. As VanBeber puts it, he had it good at Empire, but the challenge of turning the Eagles around thrilled him.

“The people at Empire treated me like a million bucks, and I can’t thank them enough,” VanBeber said. “I get the same feeling from the people around Waurika.

“I don’t look at this as a dire situation because they have big, strong kids down here. They just need to be coached.”

It helps too that VanBeber’s wife, Mary, is a teacher at Waurika Elementary.

“Already being down there, she was familiar with the people around the school and she told me how supportive everyone is,” VanBeber said. “It reminded me a lot of being here.”

VanBeber’s staff will feature virtually the same assistants from last year. Joe Masoner will coach quarterbacks and offense, Tanner Harris will handle the secondary, Doug Gunter will coach the linemen and Roger Jessie will call the defense. VanBeber will call the offense.

The Eagles had their first spring practice on Tuesday and, much to VanBeber’s delight, there was plenty of energy.

“We did some hitting and you could see the enthusiasm,” he said. “They fell right in and hustled, just what I was looking for.”

The new Eagles’ man said he won’t worry about a playoff berth or a winning season in Year 1, rather focusing on improving.

“I want to expose them to as much football as possible and get them to improve athletically,” VanBeber said. “The one thing I promised them is improvement, and I’ll stand by that.”

        

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