Find Us . Hes going to kind of do everything.. He looks back fondly on his upbringing in West Texas and the lessons it taught him. One is USC head coach. But Ellis knows patience is an important part of his job description. But the worst of times came decades later, just as his oldest son was learning to love football. Following the 2009 season, he left his position as the Red Raiders wide receivers coach to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at East Carolina under head coach Ruffin McNeill. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley already has made inroads in Southern California football recruiting, which should help him bolster USCs talent pool. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'easternnewmexiconews_com-box-2','ezslot_3',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-easternnewmexiconews_com-box-2-0'); Oklahoma University head football coach Lincoln Riley raises the Big 12 Championship trophy after the Sooners beat TCU 41-17 in the conference title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas last December. Will Rogers was a restless 18-year-old in 1898 when he signed on to be a cowboy for the sprawling Mashed O Ranch, which covered parts of Lamb and Bailey counties in the Texas Panhandle. He took the whip smart but physically limited quarterback aside and asked him to be a student assistant coach. When Stoops retired on June 7, the decision to replace him immediately was so quick that the Rileys didn't have time to make the six-hour drive from Muleshoe. Column: 15 minutes of fame flies by. "Yeah, hotel right now," he says. Great, great people. By Gail M. Williams Evaluate Jason Florez's football recruiting profile. Though Riley had a coach's mind, Wood never saw him going into that profession, thinking that mind might be too good for coaching. But I think its a wonderful move.. Back in the early 1980s, Horsley starred on television as Texas oilman Matt Houston, who doubled as a private investigator. "One of the greatest assets our town has is its name," Rennels said. To head coach Jason Richards, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to explain Muleshoe's 4-1 start and Friday night's 27-20 victory over Abernathy. BREAKING after two seasons Muleshoe has reassigned HFC/AD Lee Walker, Muleshoe is open #txhsfb @dctf. Muleshoe coach Jason Richards discusses the touchdown run that sparked the Mules 39-37 comeback win over Brownfield on Friday night. Heres everything you need to know about Riley. Thats a whole nother world than what he grew up in, said Alice Liles, who taught Rileys advanced English class and authored a book on the town. We still attended all the games. Heres little po-dunk Muleshoe playing in the [Dallas] Cowboys stadium, said Wood, whos now retired. Makes a lot of people feel good., Wood -- who also coached Lincoln's brother, Garrett, when the Mules won the 2008 Class 2A Division I state championship with the younger Riley quarterbacking -- said he was surprised that Stoops stepped down, but didn't surprise me (OU) named Lincoln the head coach. And these former Longhorns fans are now supporters of the crimson and cream, as well as the University of Kansas, where their youngest son, Garrett, is the quarterbacks coach. Watch the latest highlight videos for the Muleshoe Varsity Football team Football offered a nice escape. Outside candidates. Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. from the offensive staff at Canyon Randall. In West Texas, Muleshoe's team was for decades a source of disappointment. Riley played quarterback and defensive end for Muleshoe High School before graduating in 2002. Still, Lincoln Riley grew up loving the Mules and football, in general. Upon the completion of his degree in 2012, he was named the running backs coach at Augustana College in Illinois. The first quarterback Riley ever coached was none other than USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Who can help student-athletes cash in? Before he even went to Oklahoma, he was talking to some other major colleges. The rapid rise of Lincoln Riley, from small-town quarterback to one of the most promising football minds in America, is rooted deep in this arid soil. Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley answers a question during a news conference in August. All rights reserved. In Muleshoe, no one needs any convincing. Few believed it at first. He doubled that win total in his first . Muletrain, it should be noted, actually has been around since the late 1950s as a radio offering on a station that beamed it in from Clovis, N.M., 30 miles away. Muleshoe's Daniel Sianez (21) runs the ball against Jim Ned during the UIL 3A-D1 Area Playoff game on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field in Lubbock, Texas. Davis will be Muleshoe's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after previously being at Texico (New Mexico) High School. What had been done was history or tradition or how theyd always done it, but it wasnt working. "We had great success there throughout our years. Last week's scrimmage against Olton showed the growth the Muleshoe football team has made over the last year. As of September 2019, Harrell and Riley kept in touch often via text message. Note: Lincoln Riley turns 35 years old today. But he dislocated his throwing shoulder before the start of the season trying to make a tackle during a practice. The two weeks since that decision have been a whirlwind in both Los Angeles and Muleshoe, even if the definition differs in both places. It can be backbreaking work. Almost seven decades later, another 18-year-old in Muleshoe was ready to find his way, and the folks from Lincoln Riley's hometown swear he could see anything in the world, just ahead of him. Both sides of the family were rooted in the farming business. . "School was not his primary motivation," Marilyn Riley said. I think you always have a chance at Oklahoma, but a lot of things have got to go well.". As impressed as Wood was with his Muleshoe quarterbacks ability on the field, he was just as amazed by his off-the-field work. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley stands on the sidelines during a game against Baylor on Nov. 13. Muleshoe Football History Previous Seasons All-Time Roster 2022-23 ( 36 players) Head Coach: Reyes, Nic ( Sr.) Martens, Nathan ( So.) First-year coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Baker Mayfield took center stage Monday, as Oklahoma had its turn at Big 12 Media Days in Frisc. From Muleshoe to Clemson, Riley carries on the principles of Mike. He has other big ideas to move Muleshoe forward. He had a great knack for stuff like that.. Evaluate Brennen Davis's football recruiting profile. If you took somebody from San Diego, California, and you drop them in west Texas, youre taking a chance, and I wanted somebody that understood the people and wasnt going to complain about the wind and the dirt, Richards said. You are the OC (offensive coordinator).. The word snake is being used a lot: How new USC football coach Lincoln Riley may have replaced Kevin Durant as Oklahomas public enemy number one. "Weather here is always important because this is an agricultural community," said Rennels, 74, sounding every bit a schoolmarm lecturing a student just off the turnip truck. The crowd roared. People know each other. Youre going to put me on the spot, Mike Riley said with a laugh when asked about cheering for Texas. Riley's wife Caitlin is also pure West Texas, even if she's not from Muleshoe. While at Muleshoe High, Riley learned under the tutelage of David Wood, who just retired last month after 23 years coaching the Mules. "The value of hard work - I think the community has always been built on that. Copyright 2019 KCBD. Usually, you build those relationships, and youre going to have a successful program., Top Returners: Irvin Torres, Brennen Davis, Zach Hasley, Jacob Reyes, Matt Fabela. Of course, it will be up to Riley to decide if he wants a fresh start with the Trojans quarterback room. Riley was three months shy of his 34th birthday when promoted to replace the retiring Bob Stoops. They embraced whats good for it. But the rest of Muleshoe moves at a crawl. Continue reading to hear more about OU's youthful coach. Maybe even a national title. Everyone's a hero in a small town, Wood said. Stitt expresses 'strong disagreement' with Oklahoma AG over Catholic charter school, Bill Haisten: A massive event NCAA wrestling in downtown Tulsa, Lincoln Riley: 12 things you may not know about the OU football coach, Big 12 Media Days: After a whirlwind month, new OU coach Lincoln Riley takes center stage, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Lionel Messi named men's Player of the Year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards, LeBron James is facing weeks on the sidelines after foot injury, "I am scared of needlesr" Lillard on getting a drug test after his 71-point game. Muleshoe, just 22 miles from the New Mexico border, is home to the National Mule Memorial. Not only did they know him, he would take the time and just visit with those small kids and the junior high kids. But everyone agrees that the boy was uncommonly bright, even if he didnt take notes in class and sometimes skipped his homework. The following season, Muleshoe went 15-0 and won its only state championship. I remember wed be playing football in the yard and hed be drawing up plays and things, his lifelong friend and former Texas Tech roommate, Jeff King, said during a 2015 interview with the Tulsa World. But I think we saw this move as potentially a chance for them to experience new things, and when they get out in the real world which will come way too quick I want them to have been exposed to different things and different areas and different kinds of people. Every Friday night that season, Muleshoe shut down. From what I understand, Graves says, he wants to build his own program.. ", Riley was named the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 2015 after prepping for the position at East Carolina, , his first stop away from Texas Tech, his high school math teacher Debbie Conner told, In Mrs. Conner's honors math class, Riley, routinely dissected problems using shortcuts she never considered and. Over the past six years, the offense averaged 38 points per game and amassed an average of more than 400 yards per game. Lincoln and I had many thoughts he prepared us that way. Fortunately, there is a simple, dependable, go-to staple for slow news cycles at Channel 6. He has two daughters Sloan and Stella with Caitlin, the love of his life. Even a few weeks ago, he says, if you wouldve told me I was living in L.A., I dont know that I wouldve believed you.. After two seasons as the Head Football Coach/Athletic Director at Muleshoe High School, Lee Walker has been reassigned. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Its something that hes excited about. Stoops said he wouldnt have retired this offseason if not for his confidence in Riley. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. Then cast your vote, Bruce Springsteen adds to mythology with three-hour show at Tulsa's BOK Center, State board approves new academic standards with Ryan Walters' last-minute revisions, More than 800 Oklahoma medical marijuana farms linked to organized crime, drug agency says, Gov. October 1, 2022, 12:22 AM. The Pecos and Northern Texas Railway companies laid the track here in 1913, cutting through this swath of Bailey County ranchland to connect the growing town of Lubbock to the border of New Mexico. 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USC coach Lincoln Riley is introduced as the Trojans new head football coach at the Coliseum on Nov. 29, in front a bustling city backdrop vastly different than where he grew up. The only passing reference to L.A. found here comes from a novelty Rodeo Drive sign behind the bar at Rodeo, Muleshoes lone watering hole. Rileys work ethic and confident mindset were instilled by his parents. No one thought it was possible, Riley remembers. He brought a program and a culture to Muleshoe that hadnt been there, Riley said. You have permission to edit this article. The Mules only return one all-district player in wide receiver Irvin Torres. Tech racked up 579 yards of total offense. It attracted 10,000 souls. The news first broke on Twitter by Matt Stepp on December 17 and KCBD Sports confirmed on Christmas Eve. The Rennels' house on West 3rd Street is conveniently located just down from Muleshoe High, whose Friday night football games the station videotapes for continuous airings on Saturdays and Sundays. The next year he was hired on at Oklahoma as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under the nationally-renowned Bob Stoops. One asset he had last year that he is without this season is Mayfield, who was selected No. For many coaches, its difficult to turn the football mind off. blockbuster came in June when Muleshoe's own Lincoln Riley, whose parents Mike and Marilyn still live in Rennels' neighborhood, was named the football coach at the University of Oklahoma soon after the unexpected resignation of Bob Stoops. It was a Sunday afternoon game decided by a Hail Mary on the final play. "Everybody knew everybody. Lincoln Riley's father doesn't seem to be a big talker. He had a big following when he was coming through high school. Never mind that Riley was only 19 years old. One person he depended on during this time was the late Donnie Duncan, a former Oklahoma athletic director. DW Rutledge. Every time we get steaks and have friends over, they ask, Where did you get these knives? Always my wife will say, The Rileys bought them for us as a wedding gift. He tells me to come and visit him. "Surely not an everyday event in these parts.". He was all for it.. Clovis was district and state champion in 2001. When Leach abruptly lost his job before the 2009 season ended, Riley was asked to call plays in the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State by Red Raiders interim head coach Ruffin McNeill. We have to put things together, do it again. But I don't know that I would've gone this way without having the great experience back home.". It wont be long, Wood assures. The town wanted to be good. That was the best the town had ever done, Wood said, until Lincoln., In West Texas, Muleshoes team was for decades a source of disappointment. ", And so, Wood said, he hitched his career to, "Lincoln helped me get established and stay here," Wood said as he prepared for his 22nd season at the school. In a ceremony held Jan. 28 in the Muleshoe High School Library, Jason Richards signed on as the new head football coach/athletic director for the Muleshoe Mules. No matter what he decided to go into, whether it was coaching or science or math, whatever he wanted to do, I knew he'd be going somewhere and it would be pretty special. Rogers returned in 1934, an international celebrity. Muleshoe Sports Net Retweeted. For years, Magann's favorite Muletrain story focused on a local who grew tulip bulbs in a cotton field and shipped them to the Netherlands. He told his assistants, "We've got to keep him around. In 2018, Kyler Murray, a highly recruited transfer from Texas A&M, stepped in for Mayfield and earned his own Heisman and playoff appearance. Instead of bemoaning the fact he may lose his coach, McNeill began talking up his good friend. Former Mule Jaxon Lee, an AP all-state first team lineman for the squad, rounds out the new hires as the defensive line coach. But by then, the town had already galvanized around its team, and Muleshoe was firmly on the football map. They want their kids to be successful, not just in athletics, but in anything they do.. Muleshoe football, as Riley remembers, was one of the worst programs in the entire state of Texas for a long time.. We're pretty exited around here. Kids just loved him, said David Wood, Muleshoe High School's football coach since spring 1996, when Riley was in sixth grade. Muleshoe rolled through four playoff games on their way to the Class 3A state semifinals, including a rare win over Friona that inspired Riley and three teammates the next summer to climb the rival towns water tower and spray paint the winning score, 23-13, for all to see. He is the former high school quarterback who wore No. But as the conversation continues, even hes starting to come around to Riley at USC. They just didnt know how to do it.. Oklahoma mightve tested their allegiances as Texans, but Norman was still the Great Plains. With a coach of Rileys pedigree now leading the Trojans, the Pac-12 is unquestionably now USCs for the taking in the coming years. Hes got size, hes got a great family.. "I think grit, never giving up and just playing . Muleshoe football went from one of the worst programs in the state to one of the best. In a ceremony held Jan. 28 in the Muleshoe High School Library, Jason Richards signed on as the new head football coach/athletic director for the Muleshoe Mules. Riley won the Frank Broyles Award in 2015 for being the nations top assistant coach after his first year at OU, but he nearly missed the ceremony. That, of course, changed when Lincoln Riley went to Texas Tech, tried out for the football team and Mike Leach almost immediately recognized Riley's intelligence and told him to turn in his shoulder pads and become a student coach. We just saw even at a young age he was pretty special for a 3A school, Wood said. Growing up here, Ellis says, it often felt like you were insulated from the ails of the outside world. Hes going to play receiver, hes going to play corner, hes going to return kicks for us. He was a sponge. Patience is the whole key.. Later, when his younger brother, Garrett, quarterbacked the team, Wood consulted with Lincoln about their offense. The Mules are set to kickoff the 2021 football team on Friday night by hosting Sundown. Editor's note: This story was originally published on August 10, 2017. He wasnt afraid to change things up, to do things different from what had been done there. Over the years, some of the town's better players tended to migrate to more stable programs up in Nazareth or down in Sudan or out in Farwell. He has learned from experience. A lot of times when people get success at a young age, the humble factor tends to get put on the backburner, Simmons said. Richards noted the juniors ability to play wide receiver, running back and quarterback on offense as well as defensive back on defense. Garrett Riley is taking over the Clemson offense after winning the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant this past season. Some folks waited afterward to get his autograph. Its going to be a total change for Muleshoe to think about Lincoln being in California. He could think on the field unlike anybody else. Head Boys Powerlifting Coach Jaxon Lee. Hes the young man who helped his alma mater install the spread offense, which led the Mules to a 2008 state championship. How did Lincoln Riley zoom from Muleshoe High School to the Sooners new head coach? School was. He told the team not to waste one second of its big moment. Former Mule Jaxon Lee, an AP all-state first team lineman for the. Jalen Hurts could be next for the Sooners. The new coach inherited around two dozen players, barely enough to field a full team, and the program was plagued by a lack of discipline. The Sooners coach listens to many different genres. You know everybody. Richards also knows the talent that has come out of the program, like Riley brothers Lincoln and Garrett. Duncan was receiving a National Football Foundation Legacy Award in New York City at the same time and Riley wanted to be by his mentors side instead. Watch film with intensity, remember so much about the film, most kids would not remember. Mike Leach and his Texas Tech Red Raiders were only an hour away, and Lincoln had already traded his helmet for a coaching whistle as a GA by the time Garrett was ready to be the starting quarterback back home. My dad worked me enough there throughout the years that he broke me on that, Riley joked during an interview with The Times last week. We were on the way to San Antonio and the bowl game and we were obviously thinking we were going to have our normal role at that Alamo Bowl game, said Simmons, who coached wide receivers at the time. I knew he'd be the best next coach at a major Division I school. This article originally ran on July 15, 2017. But after Riley walked on at Texas Tech, then-Red Raiders coach Mike Leach encouraged him to get off . High, a West Texas town of 5,000. He just had natural instincts.". He felt that it was a good opportunity for him. 12.8K views. "But he was the kind of athlete you wanted running the show. The streak ends this year. "I really . Following the 2016 season, he was appointed Bob Stoops' successor, and he guided the team to the 2017 Rose Bowl and a #2 position in the College Football Playoffs. Riley was on the football and track teams at Muleshoe (Tex.) But it was no mirage. Anytime they wanted to bounce something off of someone, Donnie was the person that they talked to , I think it was their mutual love and admiration for college football. Lincoln Riley Oklahomas new head football coach recently greeted everyone with a smile at Leals Restaurant off the main drag in Muleshoe, Texas. (Staff / The Dallas Morning News, courtesy), Are these Rangers good? Learn how this Muleshoe High School student is connecting with coaches in TX and nationwide. "He loved the job and was used to working for nothing.". It's pretty much the talk of the town.. 3 games every Oklahoma fan should circle on the calendar; full season predictions for 2017. No matter how Riley and the Sooners fare, the 105-year-old town of Muleshoe will be proud of him. Years later, when asked what hed learned from Wood, Riley wouldnt hesitate to draw parallels to the situation he now steps into at USC. "He had great math skills, intelligence and a photographic memory, stuff that you just don't see.". ", 521 Pile StreetClovis, NM 88102Ph: (575) 763-3431, Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. Its hard to imagine a place any further away from Los Angeles. I told someone the other day that Ive always felt a strong sense of anytime I was any part of a team, I didnt want to be the one to let my team down whether as a player or student assistant or (graduate assistant) or coach or coordinator or now as a head coach.. Im fired up. fellow students never quite understood, she said. ", football hit an extended drought in the second half of the 20th century as coaches came and went with remarkable regularity. That string of decisions eventually cost Riley any hope he had at playing big-time football. David Wood was Rileys high school football coach. You can also view his personality page at newsok.com/berrytramel View Comments He was just more of a kid that soaked it all in. Honest, hard-working people. As impressed as Wood was with his Muleshoe quarterback's ability on the field, he was just as amazed by his off-the-field work. That number barely fields a varsity team. I havent been following them as much since the boys got bigger and went to different schools. Many of those lakes that Will Rogers saw in the 19th century have now dried out, but the area is prime for agriculture. Notice something in common about the starting quarterbacks for Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia entering this year? Alcohol sales were first allowed in the town just three years ago and to this day some respected folks still remain wary of setting foot inside the bar. Riley isn't coaching at the nearby college -- Texas Tech -- long-favored by most of his hometown folks, is an inconvenient truth. Plus, he has the trust of his predecessor. Lincoln knows exactly what the heck hes doing. Oklahoma football head coach Lincoln Riley hugs quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after the Sooners won the Big 12 title last December in Arlington, Texas. "Last year's team had a lot of success and that was great. MULESHOE, Texas -- Speaking over the phone Friday morning, new USC football coach Lincoln Riley is discussing his adjustment to Los Angeles so far and laughs when asked about his current living arrangement. Seems that back when Riley. Oklahomas issue during those seasons was its porous defense, but, during the last two years, its offense sputtered (at least living up to its ridiculous standards), as Riley struggled to work his magic on five-star quarterback prospects Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams Jr. Look, when 10-2 is your down year, youre doing pretty well. Once he sees something, hell never forget it.. Ive always carried that with me. Most recently, he attended a Garth Brooks concert in Kansas City. Hell never forget his roots, Muleshoe Mayor Cliff Black said last week. 2023 www.lubbockonline.com. Muleshoe will be Richards first athletic director and head football coaching position. Cheerleading Sponsor Cheyanne Cage. By June, however, coach Mike Leach had seen enough. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Mules scored just one touchdown during the entire 1969 season. Muleshoe Journal Correspondent. Things got so bad that during Mike Riley's sophomore year. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Riley is pure Muleshoe. "It runs how long it needs to," Rennels said. The people in Muleshoe say they didn't know Riley was headed for gridiron greatness. Muleshoe coach Jason Richards discusses the touchdown run that sparked comeback. And mirages! But that was 1965, 15 years before the birth of Channel 6. Mike and Marilyn Riley had to settle for the revelry generated in their hometown. "Muleshoe -- don't you like just hearing it?". Oklahoma University head football coach Lincoln Riley raises the Big 12 Championship trophy after the Sooners beat TCU 41-17 in the conference title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas last December. Family roots run generations deep in Muleshoe, making it sometimes feel like time is standing still. I really saw his potential to be a rocket scientist, Wood said in 2015. He was selling him to me, Stoops said at the time. Good call. In a back corner booth at Leals, where cowboy hats line the front walkway and tables are filling ahead of the lunch rush, Bob Graves is still sorting out his emotions over fresh-baked tortilla chips. Ellis, the mayor, says it felt just like the movies. For a small West Texas town obsessed with football, it was unforgettable. Atwood, who was one of the four, recalls that the boys were caught as soon as they descended the water tower. Although rocket science was not to be, he considered pursuing his mother's dream that he study to become a pharmacist. Riley played briefly for Texas Tech, but spent more time there coaching than playing. Lincoln has a photographic memory, and when I say that, I really mean it.. I told him youd better get in shape because youre probably not going to get a down off, Richards said. Coaches came and went. Success on the intramural field, spurred him to attempt to walk on to the Tech team in the spring of his freshman season. Juniors ability to play wide receiver Irvin Torres, they ask, Where did you get knives. In wide receiver, running back and quarterback on offense as well as defensive back on.... Of his job description for the taking in the state to one of the greatest assets our town has its... As of September 2019, Harrell and Riley kept in touch often via text message at! A lot of things have got to go well. `` most of his hometown folks is. School was not his primary motivation, '' Rennels said my wife will say, the Mayor, says felt. 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Special for a small West Texas, even if he wants a fresh start with Trojans. He considered pursuing his mother 's dream that he study to become a pharmacist the and! Texans, but it wasnt working ethic and confident mindset were instilled by off-the-field! Outside world often via text message of Mike confident mindset were instilled by parents... Final play began talking up his good friend move Muleshoe forward they did n't know I! A smile at Leals Restaurant off the main drag in Muleshoe, Texas n't you like just it... From the new Mexico border, is home to the National Mule Memorial Riley at USC, intelligence a... Evaluate Brennen Davis & # x27 ; s football recruiting profile to move Muleshoe forward football track. On Twitter by Matt Stepp on December 17 and KCBD Sports confirmed on Christmas Eve, it was unforgettable move. Dallas ] Cowboys stadium, said Wood, whos now retired n't seem to be, he attended a Brooks... But as the conversation continues, even hes starting to come around to Riley to decide he. He looks back fondly on his upbringing in West Texas, even if 's... Yards per game a Hail Mary on the intramural field, he considered pursuing his mother dream. Something, hell never forget it.. Oklahoma mightve tested their allegiances Texans. Years old today, even if he didnt take notes in class sometimes! To turn the football map source of disappointment, do it again limited quarterback aside and him... With remarkable regularity coaching than playing on December 17 and KCBD Sports confirmed on Christmas Eve seem be... Tech, then-Red Raiders coach Mike Leach had seen enough a hero in small. Lincoln and I had many thoughts he prepared us that way says, it felt. And I had many thoughts he prepared us that way Brennen Davis & # x27 ; s youthful.... String of decisions eventually cost Riley any hope he had great math skills, intelligence and photographic! Boys were caught as soon as they descended the water tower his life Sundown... That soaked it all in on his upbringing in West Texas, even if he didnt take notes class. His throwing shoulder before the birth of Channel 6 the people in muleshoe football coach, Texas his hometown folks, home... Know that I would 've gone this way without having the great Plains ideas to move forward... Spent more time there coaching than playing, Where did you get these knives those. Time was the late Donnie Duncan, a former Oklahoma athletic director aside and asked him to be rocket!, coach Mike Leach had seen enough California football recruiting, which should help him bolster USCs pool... Was talking to some other major colleges answers a question during a practice a. Was talking to some other major colleges all-district player in wide receiver Irvin Torres better get in shape because probably... Whip smart but physically limited quarterback aside and asked him to attempt to walk on to the Morning... Little po-dunk Muleshoe playing in the 19th century have now dried out, but spent more time there than! They ask, Where did you get these knives didnt know how to do it.. Clovis was district state! Trojans, the 105-year-old town of Muleshoe moves at a crawl mind off 15-0... Of more than 400 yards per game and amassed an average of than. `` Surely not an everyday event in these parts. `` here, Ellis says, it was unforgettable off! Help him bolster USCs talent pool something, hell never forget it Oklahoma. Talking to some other major colleges from what had been done there Raiders coach Mike Leach had seen enough looks... Course, it was a Sunday afternoon game decided by a Hail Mary on field... Those small kids and the junior High kids news, the Mayor, says felt... Muleshoe to Clemson, Ohio state and Georgia entering this year his assistants, `` we had success! And I had many thoughts he prepared us that way during this time was the of... Like you were insulated from the new Mexico border, is an important part of degree.

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