By Moses Leos III.
The numbers will always define retired Hays High head coach Bob Shelton. His namesake on the Hays CISD football stadium proves that.
But the changes he witnessed in the game over a 40-plus year career are noteworthy, representing more than simple wins and losses.
To fully appreciate that history, one has to go back to 1964. That year, the Beatles made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. President Lyndon B. Johnson won the presidential election over Barry Goldwater, and a gallon of gas was 30 cents.
In Hays County, life was different from today. Where urban sprawl dominates, lush prairie land was the norm. Instead of one unified school district, Buda and Kyle held their own dominions.
At Buda High School, a young head coach by the name of Bob Shelton led the Buda Bulldogs football team. He was trying to incorporate a weight-training program. However, the concept was a newfangled idea at the time.
Above, Bob Shelton served as Hays High’s head football coach for more than 40 years. (Hays Free Press file photo) |
“When I started in [1964], some of the schools were doing weight training,” Shelton said. “We started our own program in Buda. We used old cans that we put cement in, and bars in to make some weight training equipment.”
Film study was also a new concept. Shelton helped fundraise for a 16-millimeter camera between his first and second year. While an advent of technology, it also had several drawbacks.
The staff had to go into Austin to develop the film, which took until 2 a.m. They often worried about the film’s quality. Sometimes it ended up “grainy and flickery,” thus unwatchable.
Of course, as technology improved, so did weight training and film study. Once he became coach at Hays, Shelton oversaw many improvements. At one time, weight training involved simply bulking up. Now agility rules the day.
“I think [weight training] has developed toward speed, to speed the game up,” he said. “Everyone is trying to run more plays, run more repetitions.”
Film study has also improved. Since starting with a 16-millimeter camera, Shelton has seen the switch to VHS, mini-tapes and now to online video. It greatly streamlined the concept of swapping tape with opposing coaches.
“For old coaches, we hated to go to VHS; it was a big change and we had to get used to it,” Shelton said. “However, everything that has developed has been better. VHS was better, [mini-tapes] were better, I’m sure what they are doing now is better. Everything in technology is changing. What you have this year will be obsolete next year.”
Strategy has seen the biggest change. In the early years, the triple-option run game was the style. Many college and high school programs were predicated on it. Shelton was no different, incorporating the game plan for well over 30 years.
However, by 1990, Shelton relented, and passed the ball more often.
“Until [1990], we were a straight triple option [team]. We never got away from some type of option. It gave us advantages,” Shelton said. “We did go to the spread [formation] in the last 20 years I coached. We never got away from option football.”
However, not all change has been good. Recruiting athletes at younger ages, sometimes in middle school, does not sit well with him.
Shelton believes it’s not beneficial. Kids are “too young” and have a lot ahead of them.
“There is plenty of time when [players] are juniors and seniors to recruit them,” he said.
Shelton understands the game is faster; the players are bigger and stronger. However, he does not think the high school game is in jeopardy because of it. While the professional ranks deal with concussion and safety issues, he feels the UIL and NCAA are putting players safety in mind.
“Football is a physical game, so there are going to be some licks out there,” Shelton said. “However, everyone from the UIL down through coaches and training staff is concerned about safety. You never want to see players hurt. If there is anything you can do to make [the game] safer, you want to do that.”
Shelton enjoys life off of the field now. He is able to spend time with his wife, Beverly, who has stood by him all through his career.
Yet he is not idle. Shelton frequents bible study and golfs once a week.
He also is a part of a locally famous band, the Onion Creek Ramblers. Shelton’s role as a rhythm guitar player and vocalist has helped soothe stresses he had as a coach.
“Back when I was coaching, [music] was definitely a release,” he said.
Yet the game still courses its way through his veins. Moments such as the thrilling 21-20 win over Corpus Christ Calallen in the 2006 4A playoffs continue to make waves.
However, he now will keep a keen eye on the future of football in Hays CISD.
“I hope [Lehman and Hays] do well,” he said. “I know both [Neal La Hue and Todd Raymond]. I know the kids will be well coached.”
