Prep Football: Ties That Bind
Brandon Hampton is a teacher of the game of football.
At his core, he's also a student.
Hampton, head coach at Eldorado, has never shied away from bringing in outside experience to his Eagle program. For a few seasons, Hampton had now Harrisburg head coach Al Way on the sidelines as an assistant coach.
This week, as the Eagles start their first official week of practice, Hampton has brought in more knowledge and it comes with some perks.
Ralph Harris, Hampton's father-in-law, has built a six decade career in Texas as a football coach that included stops at the University of Texas and Baylor.
As a head coach you are always looking for an edge," Hampton said. "Whether that is the way you practice or the way you prepare or new ideas or fresh set of eyes. We have been able to have a lot of success bringing Al into the program for a year and half and continuing that relationship. I think with coach Harris here this week, obviously his pedigree speaks for itself, he's coached at the collegiate level, Division 1 and at some big time high school programs in Texas. For him to be around our kids and touch our program, I'm really excited about it and anytime you can get someone that you can learn from, not only as a player, but as a coach you have to jump at the opportunity."
Harris now resides in the San Antonio area and won a state title in the early 1980s at Sealey High School and coached Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson. Prior to hiring Harris, Sealey had lost 27 straight games. Three years later, they won a state title.
Harris also started the East Texas Baptist program from scratch in 2000 and in 2004 reached the quarterfinals where he was named AFCA Coach Of The Year.
Harris said he didn't feel an obligation to be there because Brandon was his son-in-law. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Harris admitted he was there for his granddaughters, Hope and Gracey Bell and his daughter, Ginger.
However, having the opportunity - albeit for just a week - to be around players and coaches was something that Harris didn't want to pass up on. Even if it meant shelving his golf clubs.
As a coach for the better part of six decades, Harris said he was just hoping to not get in anyone's way. But from the very onset Monday, he could be seen giving instruction to individual players and talking to them in groups.
Harris also believes in shooting for the top, no matter what business you are in, but in order to do so, attention to detail is sometimes key.
"The people who get there are those that do the little things. If your foot is pointed in the wrong direction or you take a step the wrong way or your hands aren't where they need to be, it's all the little things that a lot of people don't have the opportunity because of the number of coaches. My background was always bigger situations with five coaches on offense, five on defense, graduate assistants and people going everywhere. So, you're coaching everything, filming everything and seeing every little detail.
"But even as it is, if you continue to do the fundamental, simple things over and over again, it's how you beat the really good teams."
While the saying is true that the stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas. There maybe nothing they love more or shines brighter than their high school football.
Harris added that the similarities are there in southern Illinois for the pride the towns show for their schools.
"Texas high school football is great. It's not any different here. The community is excited when you are treating people well and teaching them how to play the right way. They grow up wanting to be a part of that program.
"That's what I like about Brandon and the way he coaches. He cares about his people more than probably anything else. I don't know if I could say the same thing about myself when I was coaching, but Brandon has a great vision for the future and I'm honored to be out here with him."
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.