Buckley | McMullen |
by MOSES LEOS III
Changes are coming in the Rebels’ coaching staff as Hays High’s Neal La Hue, head coach and athletic coordinator, recently announced two vacancies.
Cliff Buckley resigned his position as head coach of the boys and girls cross-country teams. Dean McMullen also filed his letter of resignation as head boys basketball coach.
Buckley, who started at Hays in 2001, helped guide the program to strong finishes. Several athletes during his tenure reached the UIL State Cross Country Meet, including Mariana Sigala in 2011. He was known for requiring that his athletes maintain a high standard in the classroom.
“As a program it is important to me for us to have one of the highest GPAs as a group,” Buckley said in a 2011 interview with the Hays Free Press. “I want to prepare these kids body and mind. If my runners can’t take care of business in the classroom, it is a good indicator that they will have trouble pushing forward in other aspects when things come up and life gets complicated, including during races. We strive for excellence in all that we do. These athletes exemplify what our program is all about. To have multiple runners achieve this goal is awesome.”
La Hue said the search for the next cross-country coach is in motion.
“[The Athletic Department] has made their recommendations for the next cross-country head coach,” La Hue said. “We and the district are prepared to interview the candidates for the job.”
He offered no timetable for filling the position.
McMullen, who resigned June 20, will take the head boys basketball coaching position at Pflugerville Connally High School. From 2006 to 2010, McMullen was an assistant coach at Connally and was on the sideline during the Cougars’ 2006 run to the State Tournament.
La Hue saw glimpses of McMullen at the helm during the latter part of the basketball season, and witnessed his offseason program. He was complimentary towards the Cougars’ decision.
“Coach McMullen did a good job,” La Hue said. “He is a quality coach and I know he will progress far as he goes forward in the coaching ranks. I wish him well at Connally.”
He added that no timetable has been set for hiring a new head basketball coach.
In 2012, McMullen helped guide the Rebels boys basketball program to its first playoff victory since 1980. The Rebels defeated Kerrville-Tivy 47-33 in the bidistrict round that season.
