by Malcolm Butler
If the early feedback is any indication, Cedar Creek may have just landed their man.
With Monday’s announcement of the hiring of William Parkerson as the Cougars head football coach, the reaction on social media from former players and current parents has been overwhelmingly positive.
Parkerson’s seven-year connection to Cedar Creek affordable him the ability to make an impression on the school, its students and plenty of parents and alums. That impression must have been pretty impactful.
“When the young alumni who played football or ran track under Coach Parkerson speak so strongly in support of him then I think it shows his past success and ability,” said Scott Hill, who is the father of four Cedar Creek students or former students, including daughter Caroline who was coached by Parkerson in track and field. “Not only has he shown the ability to lead offenses and defenses, but he has shown the ability to build young men. I think that is what every coach wants, even beyond the W’s. With the outpouring of support from young Cougar alumni he coached before, I think it clearly illustrates he has the skills to lead the Cougar program.”
Stephen Taylor, who coached alongside Parkerson on Ben Haddox’s staff from 2011 through 2013, agrees.
“Not only as an alumni but as a parent that has a son at Cedar Creek, it’s encouraging to see Coach Parkerson back at the school,” said Taylor. “I’ve coached with him and he’s as good as it comes, not only in X’s and O’s, but in developing young men to be successful in life.”
To impress parents and colleagues is one thing. And it’s important.
However, sometimes the biggest critics of coaches are the players themselves. Parkerson must have made a strong and lasting impression with the young men he coached during his time at Cedar Creek from 2011 through 2018.
Many of those Cougar alums feel strongly the school made the right hire.
“He gives any team he’s coaching the competitive edge,” said former Cougar Jace Moss. “His players buy into his plan. There’s no coach I trusted more than Coach Parkerson. I can’t wait for this group to get the same level leadership he gave me.”
During his time on Haddox’s staff, the Cougars posted an impressive mark of 57-26 with six playoff appearances, including four quarterfinal appearances and semifinal runs in 2013 and 2016.
Based on much of the feedback from his former players, his ability to build relationships is one of Parkerson’s strengths.
“Coach P will be successful because his care for athletics and the kids is genuine, and you feel that as his athlete,” said former Cougar Tripp Marcus. “To this day I’ve never been around a coach that works as relentlessly as he does. I credit the competitor I am as a college athlete to all the time I spent under him.”
“If Coach P can get the players on board with the backyard dog mentality, then they will be successful,” said former Cougar Aaron Clark. “Coach P taught us players to play with no fear and at 100 mph. Anyone that has played for Coach P knows that he despises losing more than he enjoys winning. The bond that coach P had with my senior class (2016) was incredible.”
Only time will tell what kind of impact Parkerson will make the second time around. However, many Cougar alums have little doubt it will be a positive and lasting one.
“This is the best decision Cedar Creek has made in football since hiring Ben Haddox as head coach (in 2010),” said Clark.
