Today at 2:36 a.m.
by Tanner Spearman
Steven Heard began his education and coaching career at Watson Chapel High School. Now, he has returned to campus looking to rebuild the Wildcats’ football program.
“A generation ago, this football program was one of the top in the state, producing state championships and several (Division I) and NFL-talent players,” the Wildcats’ new head coach said. “Of course, this is Pine Bluff. There’s plenty of athletes to go around in Pine Bluff. So, it’s just a resurgence back to where we need to be at.”
Watson Chapel hired Heard in early May. He previously served as the defensive coordinator at Pine Bluff High School, but years ago, he did his student teaching at Watson Chapel under former coach George Shelton, who led the Wildcats to three straight state semifinal appearances from 2008-10.
The Wildcats last won a conference championship in 2017 and remained competitive in the years that followed, but Watson Chapel has won one game in the past three seasons.
Heard seeks to change that, and he said his first impression of the players is that they want to, as well.
“They are really, really hungry for it,” Heard said. “Football hasn’t been fun for them for the last few years, and they’re ready for a change, and they’re willing to put in the work to make the change. My No. 1 goal getting here was changing the mindset. Change the mindset. So, I worked on their mind first, and then, I feel that if you get their mind in the right place, everything else will follow.”
Heard coached against the Wildcats during his time at Pine Bluff High. He said he saw the talent and potential in the Watson Chapel players. That, along with his familiarity with the school, drew him to take the job, he said.
Watson Chapel didn’t have much of a spring practice but began summer workouts last week. The Wildcats hosted Dumas on Tuesday for a 7-on-7 practice session. Three different Watson Chapel quarterbacks threw touchdown passes.
Heard said he liked what he saw from his players so early in the process of learning new schemes, and he thinks the Wildcats have adjusted to their new coaching staff well.
“We’re a young coaching staff,” Heard said. “We have a lot of energy, high energy. We do a lot of praise. We don’t let any negativity be a part of this program, just introducing a positive atmosphere. I think they’re real receptive to it right now.”
One of the issues Watson Chapel has faced in recent seasons is keeping talented players on campus, as several have chosen to transfer to other, more successful schools. Heard said his way of combating that is building personal relationships with the players and showing them love. He said he had a one-on-one conversation with each player when he first arrived.
Heard doesn’t just have a coaching background. He has spent the past 25 years serving in the United States Army and is currently a First Sergeant in the Arkansas National Guard. He said every leadership lesson he has learned in the Army can be applied to coaching high school kids.
“In the military, not being self-disciplined can ultimately cost somebody their life,” Heard said. “Technically, here, not being disciplined can also cost you your life. Not maybe between living and dying, but getting off on the right path, as in, become an adult and matriculating through this world. I’ve always said that I don’t just coach X and Os. I coach young men and their behaviors.”
Heard will make his head coaching debut when Watson Chapel opens its 2024 season Aug. 30 against Helena-West Helena Central.
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