Eric Ward has experience molding young people. It started well before he began his coaching career.
Moments after being approved as Estacado’s head football coach and athletic coordinator Thursday, Ward went down the line to introduce his family, which includes five sons. He described his oldest, 13-year-old Jayric, as one of his best friends. Ward shared that his son ran with him when the former Texas Tech receiver celebrated senior day at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Ward said he raises Jayric, like all his children, to be a leader. An emphasis on work ethic is at the forefront, with an added focus on consistency.
These are the pillars Ward will build his program on with the Matadors. And if all goes according to his plan, the lessons will go beyond the field.
“My goal is to develop great young men and women, and I think that’s a win for me,” Ward said. “When I set the standard and allow them to understand like, hey, I want you to be successful post-high school, and I want to teach you things that’s going to make you successful. Those are my goals. I think doing that entails developing young men and women into being leaders and setting the tone so they can go out there in the real world and be leaders themselves.”
Ward learned work ethic early
Ward, one of the most accomplished receivers in Tech history, learned at an young age the importance of hard work. He believes “hard work will create opportunities, but consistency will keep you there.”
Ward was 7 years old when one of his “favorite coaches” shared the sentiment.
The coach? The father of Estacado boys basketball coach Tony Wagner.
“I thank him,” Ward said of Wagner’s father, Coach B.J., “and I always wanted to emulate and be a fraction of the coach he was to us. We came from impoverished environments, and he always gave us everything he had. That’s the kind of coach I am and that’s the coach I want to be, and that’s the coach I strive to be. I just want to pour into kids and be a good team leader, good team player, and just go and give it my all.”
INTRODUCTION: Former Texas Tech receiver takes reins as Estacado football coach
Making his head-coaching debut as a colleague of his inspiration’s son only affirmed Ward’s feeling it was all meant to be.
“If you just look at the divine plan and how everything comes together, you never question God,” Ward said. “You just go and serve. I’m a big believer of faith, and I just think this came together at the right time. God’s timing is perfect.”
Plenty to learn from
Ward, previously the offensive coordinator at Wichita Falls City View, spent time as an assistant at WF Hirschi, Burkburnett, Elgin and his alma mater, WF Rider. He said he picked up advice along the way that will aid him as he takes on a new challenge.
Ward added that he isn’t done learning, saying, “if I don’t know, I’m gonna ask.” He will have plenty of sources, including staff members at Tech.
“I think in a role like this, you use all your mentors,” Ward said, “all the connections, all the coaches, because everybody’s different. … You have to learn, and I’m OK with learning. … I’m going to have to do it to get better at it, and also with the understanding that nobody’s perfect. … I am open-minded enough to understand this is going to be a learning experience for me as well.”
‘They know coach will always love them’
As of Thursday afternoon Ward had not met his new players, but he complimented the “passion” he’d seen on film. He’ll inherit a team that reached the region semifinals and finished 10-3. The Matadors will be favorites as they drop to Class 4A Division II in a district with Borger, Levelland, Perryton and varsity-newcomer Lubbock-Cooper Liberty.
Ward said his first priorities will be filling out his staff and getting to know his players. He will emphasize fundamentals before beginning prep work for the season.
Building relationships is the “most important thing,” just as it has been at his previous stops. Ward said he was part of a youth football organization in Wichita Falls with more than 160 kids. He said it was tough to say goodbye, but he left them in good hands and will continue to support them.
He hopes to form similar bonds on the east side of Lubbock.
“They know coach will always love them and I’m a phone call away,” Ward said. “… The relationship does not stop because I’m not present here with you at the moment, is what I told them. Anytime you need anything, give me a call, and I’ll do everything in my power to help you. I mean that from the heart, and that’s the person I am. And I follow through when I give people my word.”