Will Sul Ross State choose the right fit or the best resume?

We’ve reached day number 67 since Barry Derickson announced he was stepping down for other opportunities. While the exact number of candidates remains unknown, multiple sources confirmed that current Lubbock Cooper assistant coach Lee Hays visited the SRSU campus on Wednesday. Hays is a former Texas Tech assistant coach, who I erroneously reported as currently on the Red Raiders staff in the Blitz last week.

The Lobo's search for a head coach will likely be decided by whether the administration values the best resume or the best fit. Hays certainly brings the resume, having an extensive history in the Lone Star Conference and stops at FBS programs Baylor, Houston, and Texas Tech. However, Hays has spent the last eight years in the high school ranks, and college football has undergone massive changes off the field during that time.

If the Lobos desire fit, they need to look no further than current offensive coordinator Christian Escobar. Very few understand Sul Ross like Escobar, a standout tight end for the Lobos from 2011-2014. Escobar has been a part of two of the Lobos three seasons at or above .500 since 2008. 

He was a member of the team when head coach Wayne Schroeder and then offensive coordinator, now UTEP head coach Scotty Walden, led SRSU to a 5-5 record in 2012 that included two games against Division II opponents when the Lobos were in Division III. Escobar was a member of former head coach John Pearce’s coaching staff in 2016 and helped guide the Lobos to a 6-4 record, which is the last winning record posted by the program since 2006. Escobar’s wife, Rita, is also an alum of Sul Ross, and sources indicate that his family loves Alpine, which is not everyone’s taste.

Escobar is also the choice of the donors and many alums. An overwhelming number of sources have indicated they have been contacted by Sul Ross alums and donors, who expressed an interest in seeing the offensive coordinator given a chance to run the program. SRSU is in desperate need of all the support it can find.

Whoever is chosen will face one of the most challenging situations in Division II on multiple levels. The question is whether the administration will choose the person with the better resume, no head coaching experience, and no connection to the university or Alpine or hire the person with no head coaching experience, less overall coaching experience, but is passionate about the city and the university. 

An early frontrunner emerges at Howard Payne

The news that Kevin Bachtel was leaving HPU to return to Edgewood High School surprised many across the state. When contacted, Bachtel expressed mixed emotions about the decision. He felt returning closer to family was most important and could not pass the opportunity to return to Edgewood. However, coaches and players become a family, and leaving is never easy.

According to multiple sources, a current Lamar assistant coach is an early frontrunner to replace Bachtel. However, the director of athletics, Dr. Hunter Sims, is believed to be in the early stages of the search. On Monday, watch TexasFootball.com for a list of potential candidates.

Hardin-Simmons begins interviews for tight end coach

News broke in mid-January that Matt Fanning was leaving HSU to return to the high school ranks and serve as the head coach at Alvord. Fanning joined the Cowboys in February last year after leading Jim Ned to a 58-16 overall record and the 2020 Class 3A Division I state title during his six seasons in Tuscola.

Sources close to the program indicate that head coach Jesse Burleson has received a “ton of interest” in the position, which has yet to be posted. According to sources, one person interested in the position is a current assistant coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville.