Scott Reed was in Cabot on Tuesday being introduced as the school’s next football coach. Meanwhile in El Dorado, administrators were busy taking the preliminary steps to fill the largest shoes in the program’s history.
Reed was announced as Cabot’s new coach Monday night.
In 12 years at El Dorado, he led the Wildcats to a 106-45 record and four state championships in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.
“I want to thank the El Dorado School District for the opportunity to be the head football coach at El Dorado High School,” Coach Reed said in a statement released on Tuesday.
“In particular, former Superintendent Mr. Bob Watson, Superintendent Mr. Jim Tucker, former athletics director the late Mr. Mike Bender, athletic director Mr. Phillip Lansdell, and our school board members, it has been a pleasure to work under your leadership. To the many people that have supported our young people, coaching staff and program, thank you, as well. It has been an awesome 12 years for Wildcat Football and I am so proud to have been a part of it. To the players, all of you, it has been a privilege to be your coach. You have brought a source of pride to our town and have proven to be second to none in 6A. To the school faculty members, as a parent of two EHS graduates, THANK YOU. Our sons could not have been more prepared for their college experiences.
“In closing, Connie and I are thankful for all of you. El Dorado will always be a very special place to us. GO CATS!!”
Tucker said the final day of Reed’s contract is Thursday. The superintendent said the process of finding the next coach has already begun.
“I am in conversations with each board member as to how that process needs to fall out. I finish up my conversations with the board (today),” Tucker said.
El Dorado’s school district break for the holiday starts on Friday. The search for a new coach won’t stop, however.
“It’s very possible we could begin the search process over the Christmas break,” said Tucker.
El Dorado athletic director Phillip Lansdell is currently in San Antonio for the National Athletic Director’s Conference. He won’t be back in town until Thursday but he’s already involved in the search.
“We’ll move on it as quickly as possible. We’re not going to rush things. We want to get the right coach that’s the right fit for our program,” said Lansdell, who noted the difficulty in replacing Reed both on the field and off.
“W’s and L’s are great but that’s not what you judge a high school coach on is wins and losses. They’re developing character and trying to make grown men that are responsible and lead successful lives outside of football. I’m going to miss Coach Reed. He’s been the most successful coach we’ve had here in history. But, not only is he a great coach, he’s a great man with great character.
“He did things the right way and he expected his players to do it the right way. It’s hard to replace a person like that. That’s the thing about it, we’re not going to be able to replace the man. We’ll fill that coaching position. What we’ll be looking for is a coach who has the same kind of character and morals. The X’s and O’s work themselves out.”
Tucker had similar thoughts about Reed and his impact off the field.
“What I have admired most about Coach Reed over the 12 years I’ve had the opportunity to work with him is that he is a good person,” Tucker said. “I’ve never had to worry about him doing something wrong. He had the right thing on his mind all the time. He worked well with the community. He worked well with parents. He worked well with staff and students and I never worried about it. I want somebody who is going to come in with that same ethics and moral fiber as Coach Reed had. And, be a great coach, just like Coach Reed was.”