jason
01-06-2016, 09:22 AM
http://www.wfaa.com/story/sports/2016/01/05/allen-coach-tom-westerberg-headed-barbers-hill/78317942/
Allen Football Coach Tom Westerberg has been lured away to Barbers Hill.
The Class 5A school in southeast Texas has had a "Who's Who" of coaches on its wish list, and four-time state champion coach Westerberg has been a primary target according to multiple sources. Former Lewisville state champion coach Ronnie Gage retired at Barbers Hill in December. Barbers Hill, 35 miles east of Houston, was 4-6 in Gage's sixth season andhasn't reached the playoffs since 2012. The Eagles haven't been past the second round since 1999. Barbers Hill won state championships in 1971 and 1976 in Class A.
Westerberg's name has been prominent in several past college and high school coaching searches but he has stayed head coach at Allen where in 12 years he has four state titles, including three in a row from 2012-13-14. Austin Westlake beat Allen 23-14 in a 6A Division I Texas state semifinal to end the Eagles' 57-game winning streak.
The departure of Tom Westerberg comes as a shock to the high school football community.
Why'd Westerberg leave?
Barbers Hill is a less-hectic place to live and they're going to pay somewhere from $130,000-$150,000 for Westerberg to be athletic director and head coach. He made about $115,000 per year in Allen. Westerberg will also be able to bring his son, Kyle Westerberg, who was a first-year offensive coordinator at Allen last season.
Who's Next at Allen?
Waco Midway's Terry Gambill and San Antonio Brandeis' Jeff Fleener. Gambill is former Allen defensive coordinator for 2008 and has success at Midway. Fleener left just last year for San Antonio Brandeis after being Allen offensive coordinator. Gambill and Fleener were both very popular in Allen community and have all the coaching pedigree needed.
The Allen ISD released an announcement Tuesday afternoon about Westerberg's departure:
Allen High School head football coach and assistant athletic director, Tom Westerberg, has accepted a position as athletic director and head football coach for Barbers Hill ISD in Mont Belvieu, Texas east of Houston.
Westerberg came to Allen in 2001 as assistant head football coach/offensive coordinator under head coach Joe Martin. He assumed the head coaching position in 2004 and added assistant athletic director duties in 2007. Since that time he has built a coaching record of 148-17 in Allen with state championships in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was also named National Coach of the Year in 2014 by the National High School Coaches Association.
Westerberg spoke with Allen coaches and players today expressing gratitude for the support and high level of excellence they have exhibited over the past 12 years.
"I have been fortunate to be part of a program here in Allen that has reached the highest level," said Westerberg. "I felt it was a good time to pursue the opportunity to become an athletic director. The position of athletic director/head football coach at Barbers Hill gives me the opportunity to do that and still be involved with football."
"It has been awesome watching the Allen program grow," he added. "The parents, the fans, the school district and of course the players all make Allen a very special place to be and I can't express my appreciation enough for the chance to coach here."
Superintendent Lance Hindt summarized the feelings of many in saying "we are sorry to see Tom go but we understand his desire to advance in his career. Beyond the success that he has helped bring to our football program, Tom has run the program with integrity and positively influenced the lives of hundreds of athletes and coaches. We wish him well in his new administrative and coaching position."
"We want to thank Tom for all he's done for the program," added Steve Williams, Allen ISD Athletic Director. "He took over a good program and carried it to a different level with four state championships to show for it."
Westerberg will assume his new role in Barbers Hill later this month. Allen ISD will begin the search for a new head football coach and assistant athletic director immediately.
Allen Football Coach Tom Westerberg has been lured away to Barbers Hill.
The Class 5A school in southeast Texas has had a "Who's Who" of coaches on its wish list, and four-time state champion coach Westerberg has been a primary target according to multiple sources. Former Lewisville state champion coach Ronnie Gage retired at Barbers Hill in December. Barbers Hill, 35 miles east of Houston, was 4-6 in Gage's sixth season andhasn't reached the playoffs since 2012. The Eagles haven't been past the second round since 1999. Barbers Hill won state championships in 1971 and 1976 in Class A.
Westerberg's name has been prominent in several past college and high school coaching searches but he has stayed head coach at Allen where in 12 years he has four state titles, including three in a row from 2012-13-14. Austin Westlake beat Allen 23-14 in a 6A Division I Texas state semifinal to end the Eagles' 57-game winning streak.
The departure of Tom Westerberg comes as a shock to the high school football community.
Why'd Westerberg leave?
Barbers Hill is a less-hectic place to live and they're going to pay somewhere from $130,000-$150,000 for Westerberg to be athletic director and head coach. He made about $115,000 per year in Allen. Westerberg will also be able to bring his son, Kyle Westerberg, who was a first-year offensive coordinator at Allen last season.
Who's Next at Allen?
Waco Midway's Terry Gambill and San Antonio Brandeis' Jeff Fleener. Gambill is former Allen defensive coordinator for 2008 and has success at Midway. Fleener left just last year for San Antonio Brandeis after being Allen offensive coordinator. Gambill and Fleener were both very popular in Allen community and have all the coaching pedigree needed.
The Allen ISD released an announcement Tuesday afternoon about Westerberg's departure:
Allen High School head football coach and assistant athletic director, Tom Westerberg, has accepted a position as athletic director and head football coach for Barbers Hill ISD in Mont Belvieu, Texas east of Houston.
Westerberg came to Allen in 2001 as assistant head football coach/offensive coordinator under head coach Joe Martin. He assumed the head coaching position in 2004 and added assistant athletic director duties in 2007. Since that time he has built a coaching record of 148-17 in Allen with state championships in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was also named National Coach of the Year in 2014 by the National High School Coaches Association.
Westerberg spoke with Allen coaches and players today expressing gratitude for the support and high level of excellence they have exhibited over the past 12 years.
"I have been fortunate to be part of a program here in Allen that has reached the highest level," said Westerberg. "I felt it was a good time to pursue the opportunity to become an athletic director. The position of athletic director/head football coach at Barbers Hill gives me the opportunity to do that and still be involved with football."
"It has been awesome watching the Allen program grow," he added. "The parents, the fans, the school district and of course the players all make Allen a very special place to be and I can't express my appreciation enough for the chance to coach here."
Superintendent Lance Hindt summarized the feelings of many in saying "we are sorry to see Tom go but we understand his desire to advance in his career. Beyond the success that he has helped bring to our football program, Tom has run the program with integrity and positively influenced the lives of hundreds of athletes and coaches. We wish him well in his new administrative and coaching position."
"We want to thank Tom for all he's done for the program," added Steve Williams, Allen ISD Athletic Director. "He took over a good program and carried it to a different level with four state championships to show for it."
Westerberg will assume his new role in Barbers Hill later this month. Allen ISD will begin the search for a new head football coach and assistant athletic director immediately.