Titans' boss ready for practice

[KFDM COOP]

Titans' boss ready for practice

By Tom Halliburton

The Port Arthur News

Kenny Harrison has a few varsity coaching spots remaining undetermined but spring football starts Monday at Memorial with most of his staff intact.

The 2009 Titans football candidates, with a few noteworthy exceptions, take the practice field from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

At least five significant football role players will be tied up with track and field workouts during at least the first two weeks of spring practice. Drills will conclude with a spring game on Friday May 29 in the PAISD Auxiliary Field at 7 p.m.

Plenty of recognizable area names have filled Harrison's coaching staff so far, especially in key positions.

Defensive coordinator Tony Brown, 40, has been Beaumont Central's defensive coordinator under Donald Stowers and also has served more recently as defensive backs coach at Converse Judson, a long-time San Antonio perennial Class 5A powerhouse.

The fiery Brown has added spunk to Memorial's off-season football work in the last two months since he joined Harrison's staff on March 5.

"Our intensity level has gone up tremendously since Tony's been here," Harrison said. "I've had the opportunity to observe coach Brown when he worked on Central's staff and he's well-organized."

Varsity soccer coaches Brian Morgan (boys soccer) and Phil Mattingly (girls soccer) definitely figure to play integral roles in Harrison's staff, too. Mattingly will be an offensive line coach and Morgan will be a special teams coordinator and also may work with the defensive unit.

The Titans' most intriguing staff arrangement will be Harrison's plan to deploy co-offensive coordinators. The Titans boss will slide former Nederland and Texas Tech quarterback Kip McFarlin into the staff. A former varsity assistant at both Nederland and Orangefield, McFarlin coached this school year at Memorial's Ninth Grade campus.

McFarlin will share offensive coordinator duties with Verril Young, who has served as offensive coordinator and head track coach at Beaumont Ozen. Another familiar Golden Triangle face, Young is a former Lamar University trackster and an assistant at both Ozen and West Orange-Stark.

How will the co-coordinator responsibilities be divided? McFarlin will oversee the running game and Young will oversee the passing game. McFarlin will be in the press box during games with Young on the sideline.

Harrison himself is likely to take an extremely active role in play selection. Harrison's predecessor, Ronnie Thompson, did the same while Harrison served as offensive coordinator under Thompson.

"I'm real comfortable with that arrangement," Harrison said. "I think that's going to be a great working relationship. Coach Young starts here on Monday. They're both very knowledgeable guys and I don't see that being a problem. I think it will be good."

Six other coaches with Memorial backgrounds will figure prominently into spring practice. Plus, ninth grade and middle school coaches also will be involved during spring practice.

"I'm looking to bring in at least two more varsity coaches but not until probably sometime in the summer," Harrison said.

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

Now i think this will be a good thing.