Jasper Article on Thomas Brooks

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Jasper Article on Thomas Brooks

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Brooks returns 'home'

Former coach changes mind, accepts post

By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

It all came down to coming home.

Thomas Brooks, who coached the Jasper Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001 to two Class 4A playoff appearances, has accepted the challenge of leading the athletic program.

"It feels real good to be home," Brooks said after Tuesday's announcement. "I feel very comfortable here in Jasper. I just have a spot in my heart for Jasper.

"I feel more relaxed and I'm just ready to go to work now that I'm back in Jasper," Brooks said. "The thing that brought me back here was the people. This town is so special. I just feel real good to be back around the people I feel comfortable with."

Interim Athletic Director Chris Coleman was ecstatic after the Jasper Independent Board of Trustees approved Brooks appointment to the position.

"It is great news," Coleman said. "I am excited as a parent because I have a son that will be in the high school program but I am really excited for our community.

"Thomas is a tremendous football coach but he's a better man than he is a football coach," Coleman said. "He has great character and great discipline in the program and he is immediately respected in the community by all sectors. We want our kids to have someone to look up to and we think Thomas Brooks is that kind of guy."

This decision marks a reversal from Brooks' decision a couple of weeks ago when he took his name out of the running for the position. Coleman said the pair had discussed the position in conversation but no formal offer was ever made to the then-John Tyler head football coach.

"It was just in the talking stage the first time we talked about it," Coleman said. "Thomas always said he loved Jasper and loved being in Jasper and it just started the ball rolling. We looked at it and toyed with it but at the time, it just didn't feel like the time was right for him to come back."

Brooks, 46, contacted Coleman Friday, March 23 and informed him he was interested in coming back to the position.

"He will bring instant creditability to this program," Coleman said. "But when you are looking for a head football coach, to us, it's not just about winning football games.

"He is a living example for our kids and the students deserve the opportunity to have someone they can look up to," Coleman said.

Brooks served as head coach for the Bulldog football program in 2000 and 2001 after serving as head coach at Waxahachie. In both seasons in Jasper, Brooks led the Bulldogs into the Class 4A playoffs with an overall record of 15-10.

"He really started us back on building a strong program," said Coleman, who hired Brooks for his first stint with the Bulldogs. "There were some things we had to adjust program-wise that first year. The entire program had to be adjusted."

Brooks has directed the rebuilding John Tyler football program into the Class 5A playoffs the past two seasons and now will face a similar task in Jasper.

"He's a great fit for Jasper," Coleman said. "He presents a tremendous image for us outside of Jasper as well as in town. He will do what is right, at all times, for the kids."

Coleman said the plan is for Brooks to begin his Jasper duties Thursday, March 29.

Coleman believes the athletes of Jasper will accept and welcome Brooks as their new head football coach.

"I know the kids will be excited because they know they are getting a good man," Coleman said. "They know they will have to act right, work hard and represent Jasper, Texas and Jasper High School well because Coach Brooks won't stand for anything less than that."