Archives > The Colony Courier-Leader
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Rangel ready to rock as new football coach of The Colony
BY ANDREW MAY, Staff Writer
Rudy Rangel’s ardent adoration for American Idol runs deep. A fervent fan of former Idol winner Carrie Underwood, Rangel hasn’t missed an episode since the show began in 2002. When he isn’t home in time to catch the live broadcast, Rangel will record it and stay up to the wee hours of the morning watching intently, hanging on each note of every song.
The father of three now finds himself on the big stage with eyes and ears focused on his every move. Rangel is The Colony’s newest head football coach and athletics coordinator, a position he officially assumed last Wednesday following a Lewisville ISD board meeting. He replaces Dan Burk, who resigned from the post nearly three weeks ago following two seasons on the Cougar sideline.
“It means a lot to me,” said Rangel from his all but barren office after less than a week on the job. “There is a great group of kids in place and a great support base. I think this is a good thing for everybody.”
“I kind of feel like I’ve been on the job training here for awhile,” Rangel said. “I was allowed to have a lot of responsibilities, so not much is going to change as far as my role and how involved I was. I’m going to continue to be the same way I was.”
This won’t be Rangel’s first rodeo. After graduating from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science, he landed at Bryan High School in 1997, where he coached freshman baseball and football. After a three-year stint, Rangel was out of coaching in 2001 before taking over as head baseball coach at Navasota, a 3A high school 25 miles south of College Station. In 2005, he arrived at The Colony to coach football and teach physical education and team leadership. Two years later, Rangel is on the throne, poised to pilot the program back to prominence.
“I want to make the playoffs, no doubt,” said Rangel of his goal for the inaugural campaign. “I think we have enough firepower. I believe that the energy is going to be there, the plan is going to be there, we just have to get the kids to really take the next step.”
Getting the Cougars to play beyond their means is an aspect of the game Rangel embraces. He knows every team will have talent, size, speed, and athleticism. His focus then is more centered on the cerebral side.
“My philosophy is based on mental preparation. I believe our kids are physically adequate. We need to make sure we’re up on the mental stuff. That’s something I’m going to harp on,” Rangel said. “I’m also a big organization plan guy. I’m one of those that likes to put kids in situations all the time, that way when we get to games, it’s not a big deal; we’ve been there before.”
One of the primary criticisms of Burk was that he was rarely accessible and didn’t do enough to accommodate parents. In turning a deaf ear to most concerns and qualms, a strong division developed between Burk and some in the community. Rangel is determined to deaden that discord early in his tenure.
“I’ve been the main parent person for the better part of two years; that’s not going to change,” said Rangel, who is a “huge” Akon fan. “My office is always open. It’s been like that ever since I’ve been here. That’s a big deal to the community to be able to come and talk to somebody when they need to. I just want people to really trust me with their kids and understand that they’re better off being in this program than not being in it.”
Ease of access is certainly not an issue that will arise during the Rangel administration. Though his primary responsibility to the school over the course of the last two years has been football related, Rangel was a fixture at various other sporting events, including basketball, soccer, and powerlifiting.
“I believe in practicing what I preach, that’s a real big deal to me,” Rangel said. “I believe in leading by example. I’m going to get out there with all the coaches, whether it’s a ninth grade coach or whatever it is, and get my hands dirty and work. I’ve always been like that and I’m not going to change that.”
Rangel will be surrounded by a staff he is very familiar with. Only wide receivers coach Keri Timmerman has accepted a position elsewhere, so organizational cohesiveness should again be restored.
“The staff that’s here and the guys that are in place, we’ve always been [close] with each other,” Rangel said. “We’re not only colleagues at work, we’re best friends. We’ve all been hanging out for years and years. We’ve got a real special group.”
Rangel said he has already received resounding support from players, parents, faculty, and the community at large. The key to improving upon last season’s 4-6 overall record begins with the knowledge that everyone is on the same page and is united under one cause.
“Just being here for the kids no matter what is going to put us in good shape,” Rangel said. “We’re here for them, no matter who it is. That’s what we’re here for. We’re actually servants to the kids. We’re here to provide service, whether it be on the field, in the hallways, at home, or with parents. That’s something I really believe in.”
The 2008 season will mark Rangel’s 12th year of coaching. He’ been married to his wife Patricia for eight of those years and has three children: six-year-old Kayla, two-year-old Kacie, and six-week-old Trey Nathan. The close-knit family enjoys piling into one king-size bed, watching movies together, and just being goofy. Rangel can’t remember the last time he saw an adult movie, but is up-to-date on most every children’s flick known to man.
“If it’s animated or kid’s, we’ve seen it,” Rangel said.
The consummate family man has grown to accept and even enjoy motion pictures meant for kids. Same goes for music. Only one of the CDs in the six-disc changer is his, the rest crank out jingles best suited for the young ones. But Rangel doesn’t mind. When his eardrums are clogged with a certain Hannah Montana melody that seems to reverberate interminably, he just plops down on the couch to catch some grownup tunes from his favorite televised singing competition.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Carlton White wrote on Jun 1, 2007 11:00 PM:
" Coach Rangel is a great coach. He coached me at Navasota High School for Three Years. I was able to prosper and grow up mentally and physical on the field and off the field. He help turn around a 1-9 football team to an 5-6 playoff team. He was very encouraging to me while i was on my way to be an All-State football Player.
Congradulation Cougar football Fans you have yourself a winner and a excellent coach. Coach Rangel will get this program to where it needs to be. "
Sean Murphy wrote on Jun 19, 2007 10:15 PM:
" As a parent, I look forward to watching the team learn the game and inprove there skills. I, sure would like to here the views on what he would like to see in the The Colony Football and Baseball Little Leagues. What could he pass on to the volunteers who couch the game. What can the coachs do to help the future players of The Colony High School. "
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
