Posted: Sat, 22 May 2010 08:27 AM - 9,868 Readers
By: Rick Cantu
Hank Carter must feel like a teenager who has just been handed the keys to a customized Ferrari.
At 33, he replaces Chad Morris as head coach of the Lake Travis football program, which has won 46 straight games and three consecutive Class 4A state championships. On May 3, the Cavaliers kicked off spring practice after adopting the motto, "One more is four."
With 99 days to go before he makes his head coaching debut Aug. 28 against Westlake at Royal-Memorial Stadium, Carter spoke to the American-Statesman about topics ranging from the expectations facing his team to dealing with the pressure of being a three-time defending state champion.
AA-S: Coach, how fired up are you about spring practices?
Carter: We had a great offseason, but we're very excited about having the pads back on. August will be here before we know it.
AA-S: As head coach, what's the biggest change with your role on the team?
Carter: In the past, I've been the defensive coordinator. I concentrated on making sure we put our kids in the best situations to hold teams to as few points as possible.
Now I have to consider the entire program — offense, defense, special teams, academics, etc. The good news is that I have a great staff that helps me tremendously with these things.
AA-S: Do you still talk with coach Morris since he left to become the co-offensive coordinator at the University of Tulsa?
Carter: We talk a couple of times a week. Coach Morris and I have been great friends going all the way back to my time in high school. He's been my mentor and a great example to follow.
AA-S: Do you ask him for advice?
Carter: I do use him as a resource from time to time.
AA-S: How much pressure is there in taking over a program that has won state titles for three straight years?
Carter: There is pressure to win here, but any time you're a part of a great program, there is an expectation to be successful. I wouldn't want to be at a place that didn't have high expectations.
AA-S: How do you handle job pressure?
Carter: I spend time with my wife, Stacy, and 7-month-old son, Jason. They keep me busy when I'm not at work. I really enjoy just being around the kids here at Lake Travis. I don't have much time for it, but I also like to hunt and play golf when I can.
AA-S: A lot of good players from last season are graduating. How do you feel about the offensive players coming back?
Carter: I'm excited about the players we have returning on offense and the ones stepping into starting roles for next season. Any time you have your quarterback (Michael Brewer) and several skill-position players coming back, it's a good thing. (Receivers) Conner Floyd, Tanner Gillette, Griffin Gilbert and Alex Matthews all have a lot of great experience, and that will be an asset. Having UT commit Taylor Doyle and Reagan Womack returning to the offensive line is good, as well. The fact that our offensive staff is remaining in place is also very important. Coach (Matt) Green, our offensive coordinator, and the rest of the staff do an outstanding job and I look forward to a great season from our offense.
AA-S: And your defense?
Carter: We lost some great defensive players, but we have some good ones coming back, too. Our front six has a chance to be a very solid group, and four of them are returning starters — (tackle) Jonathan Roberts, (end) Shaquille Marable, (end) Tyler Paulsen and (linebacker) Austin Williams. (Safety) Colin Lagasse and (cornerback) Omar Duke-Tinson return to the secondary. We've got some real battles for starting spots with (linebacker) Blake Burdette, (tackle) Jeremy Amberger, (cornerback) Brian Kribbs, (cornerback) Brock Kenyon, (safety) Eric Patterson, (safety) Clay Clinn and (safety) Paul Heinen.
AA-S: How do you get the players to focus on the future when they've already accomplished so much?
Carter: We tell the kids to be proud of what they've accomplished but to focus on the next set of challenges. We don't talk about the (winning) streak much. We want them to understand that no matter what has been done in the past, we still have to go out and compete and fight every day. Lake Travis doesn't sneak under anybody's radar anymore. Our kids understand this and they've done a great job of not being complacent.
AA-S: What needs to happen for Lake Travis to win state again?
Carter: First of all, we have to stay healthy. We've been fortunate over the last couple of years to avoid lots of injuries. We also have to take care of the football. Turnover margin is something we pay close attention to, and we stress ball security with our players constantly. Special teams are also a huge factor in championship football. We graduated great players in our kicking game in (kicker) Kramer Fyfe, (punter) Jack Patton and (long snapper) Trevor Gillette. This spring we're looking for (kicker) Stephen Pyle and (punter) Colin Lagasse to play huge roles in our success.
AA-S: What keeps you grounded?
Carter: Knowing that every team we play circles us on the schedule keeps me grounded. We're going to get the best from each opponent week after week.
AA-S: As the new head coach, will you implement many changes?
Carter: There won't be any major changes in uniforms, practices, slogans, etc. Every year we look at areas of our program that need improvement — from offense and defense to special teams and academics. I believe in order to compete at the highest level, you have to try and stay ahead of the curve. We try to fit what we do according to the types of players we have and we will continue to do that.
AA-S: As an assistant coach, did you ever have a timetable for when you wanted to become a head coach?
Carter: No. I've had opportunities the past few years, but they weren't the right fit. I've been very fortunate and blessed in my career and I'm thrilled to be the head coach and athletic coordinator for Lake Travis High School. The support from the community and administration has been amazing.
AA-S: Just curious, what do you drive?
Carter: A 2008 GMC Sierra pickup.
AA-S: Now that you're the head coach, any plans to buy something new?
Carter: No. With the new addition (Jason) and my wife getting her master's, I'm going to drive what I have for a few more years.
