Coaches of the Month Spotlights

Each month, the Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD Athletic Department will recognize a coach for his/her accomplishments in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. The recipient will receive a coupon for a free pizza courtesy of MOD Pizza. "Our coaches work hard on the field and in the classroom with our students and student-athletes," Athletic Director Brent Barker said. "We wanted to recognize them for their hard work and dedication to EMS ISD Athletics and thank you to MOD Pizza for sponsoring this."

                                     March 2025

Head Boys Track and Field, Football Defensive Coordinator, and Assistant Powerlifting Coach Weston Bond is the March spotlight for Coach of the Month! “It’s an honor,” he admitted when asked about his feelings on receiving the award. “It’s something I didn’t expect. I really appreciate the nomination, and it’s a huge credit to the kids I get to coach every day.” Joining the Knight team for its inaugural season, Coach Bond is helping to set the standard. Track has had a fantastic first season as several individuals have the opportunity to advance to the regional meet in a first year, first time achievement for EMHS. “We have three relays with the opportunity to make it to regionals if we can keep doing what we are doing and improving steadily. There are a couple of other guys in individual events who are in that same boat, and a JV group that is having a tremendous amount of success that has the chance to win the district track meet this week, so we’re excited about how it is going.” It is because of this consistency in performance that Coach Bond is confident about the results of the rest of the season. “I’m looking forward to having a good district meet this week, then seeing the relay guys in post season after that, so getting to see those guys go and achieve and go as far as they can go will be a great to see.”

“Coach Bond is a great team player,” commented Campus Coordinator Jeremy Mullins. “He is always willing to do what is best for the kids and all of the programs at EMHS!”

                                  February 2025

Head Softball and Assistant Volleyball Coach Erinn Jayjohn is the recipient for the February Coach of the Month! “I’m incredibly honored,” she expressed when asked about receiving the award. “Coaching is a profession you don’t really get recognized a lot in, so it’s nice to be honored by your peers and especially by people above you.” Coach Jayjohn is entering her 11^th year as a teacher and 12^th year as a coach in her first season with the EMHS Knights, starting her head coaching career in 2015 at her alma mater, Northwest High School. It was with the Pirates that she was named the District 9-5A Coach of the Year after leading them to their fist playoff appearance in 7 years in 2017. On top of this, she is also a lifelong softball player, earning her way on the Northwest and University of Mississippi teams where she was named District MVP and Pitcher of the Year for the former and voted unanimous team captain in both groups. “I’m really excited about this season,” she explained. “We’re getting some recognition, the kids are working incredibly hard, and we’ve faced some adversity over the past couple of weeks, but they’ve really stepped up. They’re doing everything we ask of them, and I think we’re going to win a lot of success because of it.” Coach Jayjohn has played competitive softball for over 20 years. It is because of this that she has a great passion for the sport and has driven her to help future leaders emerge among both players and coaches alike, being one of the many reasons she is so excited o now be with the Knights as a fresh program. “I look forward to helping Eagle Mountain make an impact in softball, in the 4A level, and beyond, and I’m excited for us to make a statement to some people that we’re here to compete and to win.”

“Coach Jayjohn is off to a strong start in district play with a 1-0 district record,” Campus Coordinator Jeremy Mullins commented. “Beyond coaching, she’s always willing to step up-whether it ‘s announcing at basketball games or leading our Girls’ Night Out events. Her dedication to EMHS doesn’t go unnoticed.”

                                   January 2025

Offensive Coordinator, Head Powerlifting, and Assistant Track Coach Will Kates is January’s Coach of the Month! “It’s an awesome feeling, but I think it’s a testament to the kids, really,” he stated when asked about receiving the award. “For me, it’s what they do. They show up every day, working hard, and we just kind of put them in motion, but I’m humbled. It’s really cool.” Like all of his fellow coaching staff, this year marks Coach Kates’s first season with the Knights, an opportunity that he is really excited to pursue as he helps build up the fledgling programs. “We’re feeling good about the upcoming season with track and getting them out there. Our first meet is on the 20^th, and we’ll be wrapping up powerlifting around that time, hopefully with some regionals and state qualifiers. I’m ready to get them out there, see what they can do, and throw that dinner plate around,” he joked. Coach Kates says he looks forward to seeing all the improvements that can be made week by week and establishing the culture of the program. “These kids are coming from all around the district, you know, and we’re really trying to give Eagle Mountain its own identity. I think we do that by going to track meets, representing ourselves well, and competing as hard as we can, seeing improvement each day and putting Eagle Mountain on the map.”

“Coach Kates has played a pivotal role in establishing and growing the powerlifting program, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication,” said Campus Coordinator Jeremy Mullins. “Coach Kates is a true team player who takes great pride in all aspects of his work, consistently making a positive impact on our athletes and programs.”

                               December 2024

Head Wrestling and Assistant Football Coach Zach Redden is the December spotlight for Coach of the Month! “It’s an awesome feeling,” he admitted when asked about receiving the award. “I’m happy to be here, happy to be recognized, and this is all because of the kids.” As an EMS-ISD graduate, Coach Redden has sunk a majority of his time and career into the city of Saginaw. He spent a brief stent at Brewer Middle School before returning to his alma mater, serving in multiple roles on the Rough Rider football team and head wrestling coach, a title he continued to hold moving to Eagle Mountain High School. “[The season so far] is going good,” he explained. “We have 43, 44 kids, so we’re building the program up. We have a lot of JV kids and a three of four that have come in with varsity experience, all of whom are doing great. JV has been winning consistently and we have a ton of kids that are in multiple sports, so it really shows their work ethic.” His experience as the head coach with Saginaw High School shows just what talent he is bringing to the Knights’ family, creating an immense culture with successes that include six district championships, 21 regional placers, a state champion and is closing in on 100 dual victories. Coach Redden expects that the climb to building the team at EMHS will take time, but he is confident in fostering a similar culture to the one he has forged before with the help of the student athletes. “Like I said, we’re trying to build the program from the ground up, so I’m really excited to see all the kids compete and watch them grow in their confidence and skills.”

“Coach Redden has been an outstanding asset to our coaching staff this fall,” commented Campus Coordinator Jeremy Mullins. “He did an excellent job with our receivers this fall. Coach Redden consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and takes great pride in everything he does, ensuring that every detail is handled with care and commitment. Additionally, Coach Redden is playing a crucial role in the development of our wrestling program, where his efforts are laying a strong foundation for success in the future. His passion for the sport and his ability to connect with and inspire the kids has been invaluable. We are excited to see the continued impact he will have on both programs.”

                                  November 2024

Head Boys Basketball and Assistant Track Coach Scott Richardson is the recipient for the November Coach of the Month! “It means a lot,” he admitted when asked about his feeling of being awarded the title. “You work really hard, and so for people to notice the hard work you put in by the team is really… It really means a lot to me.” Coach Richardson started his career with EMS-ISD this year as Eagle Mountain High School’s first ever Head Boys Basketball coach, but this does not mark his first time being in the position overall. Before dawning the Knight armor, Coach Richardson was the Head Basketball coach at Tolar High School guiding the team to a record-breaking season with an impressive 30 wins that culminated in the school’s first ever Regional Finals appearance. He brings with him a wealth of experience and success, evident by the 400 wins under his belt and an acclaimed article for Texas Coach that earned the 2023 Article of the Year award. Now, with the season officially in full swing and all of the athletes ready to take to the court, Coach Richardson is ready to bring home some big wins for the Knights. “We’ve got some great kids,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun coaching this group of guys and watching them come together and take on their own identity.” Football playoffs cut into the roster ever so slightly for the team, but that has not slowed them down. As of writing, the Knights have played two games and won both. With the athletes now coming off the field and onto the court, there is a strong sentiment that this will only further strength and already cohesive group. “I’m looking forward to seeing the relationships between the kids grow,” he stated. “Being on the bus rides and having team dinners and stuff like that is really going to help them come together as a group and I can’t wait to see that happen.”

“Coach Richardson is truly a standout figure, both as a coach and as a colleague,” commented Campus Coordinator Jeremy Mullins. “His blend of kindness and dedication to helping his athletes exceed is a rare quality. Supporting not only his team but the entire sports community shows his true leadership. Wishing Coach Richardson and the Knights all the best for the season ahead!”

October 2024

Head Girls Track and Assistant Swim Coach Miles is the spotlight for the October Coach of the Month! “I’m excited,” he admitted when asked about being named Coach of the Month. “It’s a mix of gratitude and appreciation, especially for my peers.” Coach Miles is a 17-year veteran of education, 15 of which include coaching experience. He has held positions in GCISD, Northwest ISD, and Hillsboro ISD before armoring up with the Eagle Mountain Knights, where he acted as a coach for several sports including track, football, soccer, and basketball. “Swimming, so far, is going really well. I’m optimistic and looking forward to track, too. I think there’s an opportunity to build something really special in both sports. Being a new school, you get to go in and put your fingerprints on it.” In his time with other districts, he has coached several district champions, regional qualifiers, and a state champion. Though, he admits, the teams are small due to it being the school’s inaugural year, he sees a lot of talent in the individuals that make them up and he has high hopes for what they can accomplish. “I’m looking forward to setting the foundation and the standard for the years that follow us. We want to teach the kids how to compete and how to be proud to be a knight. When you wear the logo, you should be proud because it represents something special.”

“Coach Miles consistently goes above and beyond to support both his fellow coaches and student-athletes,” commented Assistant Coordinator Catherine Foerster. “His enthusiasm for work is infectious, and it’s evident in the positive energy he brings to our teams. He takes the time to connect with each coach and athlete, fostering a welcoming and encouraging environment. Coach Miles is not only dedicated to athletics but also brings a creative flair to our events with his fantastic dress-up themes and photography skills, which we all cherish.”

                                September 2024

Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Football Coach Bobby Crook is September’s, and the first ever for Eagle Mountain High School, Coach of the Month. “It’s a great honor,” he admitted upon receiving the award. “It’s a testament that the kids are working hard.” While being the inaugural Head Baseball Coach, Crook is no stranger to America’s favorite pastime. On top of being a 3-year letterman from Marcus High School in Flower Mound and playing collegiately at the University of Dallas, he also has 20 years of professional experience with the one and only Texas Rangers. “I’m feeling good [about the upcoming season],” Crook expressed. “I love being on the ground floor and being able to work with such a great group of kids.” Coach Crook joined the Rangers in 2004 and wore a myriad of hats during his time with them, including Area Scout, Special Assignment Crosschecker, and various front office position that kept the team moving. His experience as a scout is complimented by his time as a manager with the Texas Rangers Area Code Team, the Texas Rangers Scout Team, the Texas Scouts Association North All-Star team, and as a coach with the Cooperstown Cobras organization and USA Baseball prospect camps. “I’m really looking forward to getting these guys on the field,” he said, gesturing to a group he was coaching before commenting. “Obviously in football, we’re seeing it. They’re able to play, show themselves, get after it, and have fun. That’s what I can’t wait to see; for these baseball guys to represent the school the right way and enjoy doing it. It should be a blast.”

“Coach Crook is a dedicated team player,” commented Campus Coordinator Jeremy Mullins, “who is instrumental in launching our baseball program while also playing a key role in our football operations. His commitment and versatility make him an invaluable asset to our athletic department!”