Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon has been named the 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep All-Johnson-County football team’s coach of the year for the second straight season.
In the last two years, Dixon has helped lead Alvarado to a 26-3 record, back-to-back District 8-3A titles and, most recently, a berth in the Class 3A Division I state title game. The Indians lost that contest, 20-19, to Tyler Chapel Hill.
In 2010, the Indians went 12-2 and lost to Henderson, 20-13, in the state semifinals.
“It means a great deal to me and for our coaching staff,” Dixon said. “For them to get recognition ... they’re the ones who are really doing all the great things.
“I think it’s a great honor and it validates that we are moving in the right direction.”
Dixon said Alvarado is in the middle of a shift into an elite program and added that playing in December the last two years is giving the young players for Alvarado valuable experience.
“When you get better in the playoffs, anything can happen,” he said. “Thanksgiving is kind of our benchmark. If you win then, you’re playing in December. Anything can happen in December. Our kids are starting to see that and understand we can play at that level.”
Dixon referenced his nine years of coaching at perennial power Katy and said the continuity within that program is something he aspires to bring to Alvarado.
“Since 1994, they haven’t had a four-year class not experience the state championship game,” Dixon said. “They went in ‘97, ‘98, ‘99 and in 2000. Then they had a few down years and went again in 2003. But those seniors in 2003 were freshmen in 2000.
“That does wonders for your program. We’ve had two years in a row playing in December and for all these freshmen and sophomores, they know what it’s like to get back.”
Dixon said his mantra of “getting better every game” is something he admits his players may be tired of hearing, but added they are buying into it.
“You can be an average team in the regular season and finish second or third in district,” he said. “But then you can improve in the playoffs and go win a championship. We had a lot of things go right for us this year and we stayed healthy. There’s no substitute for the extra amount of practice and for us to get that taste.
“We don’t ever want to have that lapse.”
Football
Related Photos
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Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon receives the state runners-up trophy from Alvarado ISD Superintendent Chester Juroska after the Indians’ 20-19 loss to Tyler Chapel Hill in the Class 3A Divison I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium. Tim Cook/Special to the Times-Review
Discussion
Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
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