SAN ANTONIO – In Texas there just aren’t too many people with the power of a high school football coach. Sure, the head coach must know the intricacies of his team. But with the help of coordinators, he’s also ultimately responsible for the offense, the defense and the play and conduct of his team. The job doesn’t end when the team leaves the field. One of the most difficult issues is dealing with is the parents and boosters. He must deftly handle any issues with the way that he runs the program. In addition, a high school's head football coach often serves as his school's Athletic Coordinator or Director, which adds even further responsibilities to his job. In most Texas high schools, the head coach must also have a paying job within the school, almost always as a teacher.
So who's the best high school football coach in San Antonio? We asked for your nominations, counted them up and here are the top four...
Coach Jim Streety
Madison High School
Coach Mike Jinks
Steele High School
Coach Steve Basore
Brennan High School
Coach Hector Rodriguez
Holmes High School
With more than 80,000 total votes cast via our online web poll, texts and tweets, Coach Steve Basore managed to edge out Madison Coach Jim Streety by just a few thousand votes.
His team's only been around for a few years, but already this coach is tops. Steve Basore is head coach at William J. Brennan High School in the North Side School District. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1989 and was defensive coordinator at Brandeis before coming to Brennan when it opened in 2010.
Basore says the award is an exciting and humbling experience.
“It’s a recognition not only what I’ve done, but more the community, the school, and what the team has accomplished,” Coach Basore told News 4 WOAI.
It’s not an award the Coach was really pursuing.
“People were telling me, ‘Hey Coach, I voted for you!’ – teachers, kids and students,” said Basore. “But I wasn’t aware exactly what it was.”
But now that he’s been voted the best coach in SA, he feels blessed.
“It’s exciting for the Brennan Family,” he said. “We’re trying to do some good things. Mold kids and help kids and have success on the athletic field. I think all that comes together. And when that comes together, maybe it makes people vote.”
Any advice from the coach?
“Work Hard. Try to do things the right way. If you work hard and do what you’re supposed to do, things will take care of themselves,” explained Basore. “Hard work usually pays off.”
Congratulation Coach Basore! Go Bears!