BURNET — When athletic director Kurt Jones brought coach Jerod Rye back to the Burnet school district last summer, Jones knew he hired someone who would set a great example for athletes and emphasize the two Fs of athletics: fundamentals and fun.
The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners proved Jones right as they voted Rye the 2015 Locals Love Us favorite Burnet-area coach.
“I like people, I like hanging out with people,” Rye said. “I enjoy visiting with people and getting to know them.”
The coach said his approach as the new Burnet Middle School coordinator was to remember that athletics asks a lot of student-athletes, such as working hard every day, learning schemes and, when necessary, accepting blame. So he knew he needed to bond with them while developing a rapport with their parents.
“It’s hard to ask this if the kids don’t trust you,” he said. “The kids can love you, but the parents have to trust you.”
Once that happens, the coach said, there’s no limit to their effort and work ethic.
Rye returned to the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District after coaching elsewhere for eight years. Last year, Randall Alford retired as the BMS boys athletics coordinator, and Rye was asked to return to the district.
“This is the first time I’ve coached middle school kids in 15 years,” Rye said. “The biggest thing is we’re always teaching fundamentals and having fun.”
His approach comes from his own children, Cade and Lainey, who he raises with his wife, Stephanie. Cade is in the sixth grade, while Lainey is in the fourth. Rye said his children are with their teachers more than they’re with him, so their education can’t be limited to curriculum. It also includes learning how to treat others and how to work with them for a common goal.
The best example of Rye’s influence on the Bullpups is in track and field. Even though coaches can only take 30 athletes to each meet, 60 athletes in each grade are attending practices before and after school.
“That’s something we’re proud of,” he said. “Track is not an easy sport. Those numbers are up.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com
Burnet’s Jerod Rye puts emphasis on fundamentals, fun
Burnet Middle School boys coordinator Jerod Rye (left) demonstrates the proper way to hold a baton to Kade Strong. Rye was voted the favorite Burnet-area coach in the 2015 Locals Love Us awards. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro