Coach Joel Hicks:
21 Seasons and Counting
by Ardent Cougar

As Head Coach of the Cougars, Joel Hicks has continued to be a mainstay of the community for over two decades.  I wanted to sit down with him, and get a better picture of "The Man with the Plan".

We talked the other evening after practice, which went a few minutes over.  I waited at the top of the steps that the team marches down at the beginning of every home game.  I surveyed the field, thinking about how the 2000 Season would begin in just a few days.

After all but a couple of the players had drifted off, I went over to the fieldhouse and found him.  He greeted me, shook my hand, and said it would be just a few more minutes. True to his word, it wasn't long before he opened the door and said, "Come on in!"

We went into his office, and he offered me a seat.  I thanked him for taking time out of his very busy schedule.

His career record (with 3 schools total) is a sterling 273-87-1 overall, and 182-59-0 with the Cougars.  He has more wins than any other high school coach in Virginia except for Mike Smith of Hampton.  He has had only one losing season, going 3-7 in his first year at Big Creek H.S. in War, WV.  He had to miss the first few weeks of practice that year because of  finishing up his degree from WVU.

The next season began his current streak of 32 non-losing seasons as a head coach.  For the following 4 years at Big Creek, his teams went a combined 32-7-1.  He then left for Woodrow Wilson out of Beckley, WV (the host and one of the opponents for the scrimmage this year).  After 7 years and a record of 56-14-0, he spent 3 years as the Offensive Backfield Coach for WVU.

Next stop: Cougar Country!

Ardent:  In the Fall of 1979, you came to PCHS.  You took a team that was 3-7 the previous year, and molded it into an 8-2 team that upset the No. 1 team in the state in the first round of the playoffs. You truly energized the community.  What most stands out about that season in your mind?

Coach Hicks:  The opening win against Radford.  When I looked at the film later, I did not think we played well.  At the time, I did not realize how big the rivalry was.  Next Monday at school, it was like they wanted to hold a pep rally!

Ardent:  This Friday, you begin your 22nd season as the leader of the Cougars.  Does it seem like that many years?

Coach Hicks:  In some ways, yes. Time flies!  That's a lot of your life!

Ardent:  Is it at all difficult to maintain a fresh outlook every Fall?

Coach Hicks:  A little bit.  I think I've done pretty good.  Energy is no problem.  I'm ready to go.  I think the running I do in the off season helps.  Injuries and off-the-field problems make it hard. Last year, Josh (Calfee) and Frank (Cobbs) were injured almost all season.  A few years ago, we lost Randy Grubb for the season in the first game.  Before that, I  lost a QB to discipline problems.  That kind of thing is hard to deal with.

Ardent:  How long do you think you might coach?  I think that there are many in the county who hope you never retire!

Coach Hicks:  I don't know.  Football has been much more than a game or a job to me.  It's been a big part of my life.  I take it very seriously.  Maybe too seriously sometimes.

Ardent:  How long has the Wing-T been your offense?  Since 1991, I believe?  What reasons would you give for its success?

Coach Hicks:  Since 1991, yes.  It's been a good offense for our kids.  We don't get a lot of skilled receivers.  We have more talented running backs than wideouts.  The kids are willing to work, lift weights, and do whatever it takes to make it go.  It's an offense that fits this community.

Ardent:  You have never had a losing season at Pulaski.  The 1990 team had to win its last 3 games to make 5-5, and last year's team had to upset the playoff-bound Cave Spring Knights for Homecoming to end the season with an even record.  They were your only Cougar teams that did not having winning records.  I know that last year, you probably dealt with more injuries than ever before.  How tough were those seasons?

Coach Hicks:  The 1990 team was a poor team with a poor attitude.  I do feel good that after kicking 3 players off of that team, we won 3 straight!  Last year was different.  We had Bluefield and Fleming beat late, then lost.  I don't feel that I did a good job last year.

Ardent:  I know that you love the game, and your players.  When Lee Cook died on the field at Victory Stadium in 1997 during the Fleming game, it must have been exceedingly difficult to keep your mind on coaching.  We led most of the way, and if not for a long run by the Colonels late in the contest, we probably would have won.  How were you and the players able to keep the focus?

Coach Hicks:  The players did not know.  I did.  It was very hard to deal with.  The game became totally unimportant.  I kept thinking, "What am I going to do? Where is his mother? What happened? Why?"

At this point, Joel got up and found the coroner's report that WDBJ-7 had sent him a copy of, and showed it to me. He still keeps it with him. The report clearly states the rather random and unpredictable nature of the tragedy.

Coach Hicks:  It just happened.  I don't blame football for it.

Ardent:  Which was the "easiest" or "most enjoyable" team you have coached here?

Coach Hicks: Really, there's too many to mention!

Ardent:  The 1991 and 1997 teams have been labeled "miracle" teams by some, because of several come-from-behind wins.  The 1991 squad followed the 1990 5-5 team, and was not predicted to do well.  The 1997 team used a 99-yard 4th quarter drive to beat Salem, and twice went to overtime to win  games.  Deficits of 14 and 21 (twice) were wiped out in 3 of those games.  In half of the games that season, the Cougars trailed in the 4th quarter, but still won.  When you think about those seasons, how do you remember them?

Coach Hicks: 1991 was "The Team That Never Quit".  I was absolutely tickled to death by that 1997 team.  I think fan support had dropped off some, but came back that year.  That was fun!

Ardent:  Which has been the toughest team for you to prepare against?

Coach Hicks:  Bluefield.  Starting with Coach Merrell Gainer, then John Chmara, and now Freddy Simons, they always use a lot of things like unbalanced lines.  They have 35-40 different offensive sets!  Sometimes it's hard just making sure our defense is lined up right!

Ardent:  I understand that when you were a Mountaineer, you played both offense and defense.

Coach Hicks:  The rules were different then.  You could only substitute a certain number of players per down.  It was just after I graduated that the substitution rules really began to change.

Ardent:  Do you watch much football on television?

Coach Hicks:  No.  I might watch half of a Tech game.  My wife Malinda likes to watch the pros, but I'd rather watch a movie.  During our season, I concentrate on high school football exclusively.  After we're done, I follow the college game some.  I root for WVU and Tech.  When they play each other, who I root for depends on if we have any of our guys on either team.  If they both have good seasons, I'm happy.

Ardent:  When you get time during your busy schedule, what do you like to do to relax?

Coach Hicks:  Malinda and I take walks together. Our dog tags along.

Ardent:  Which has been your most satisfying win?  I suppose the obvious answer would be beating Thomas Dale for the title, but is that true?

Coach Hicks:  No question.  There have been plenty of good wins, but that has to be the best.

Ardent:  Which has been your most disappointing loss?

Coach Hicks:  The Bluefield game last year.  I felt we had a better team.  It was hard to stomach.  Also, the Courtland playoff game where we snapped the ball over our punter's head and through the endzone.  That safety cost us the game.  There were only about 30 seconds left.

Ardent:  How do you feel about the officiating in Cougar games?

Coach Hicks:  Officiating is very important.  A bad call can cost you the game.  But, 90% of the time, if you coach as well as the officials do their jobs, you will win your share.

Ardent:  It's not like we haven't had very good players, but there are other places in the state that are much more "talent-rich".  Many think that you would have won several state titles elsewhere.  Did you ever think about leaving the Cougars, and heading elsewhere?

Coach Hicks:  No.  I never even thought about it.  These kids work hard.  I have great assistant coaches who work hard too.  It never even entered my mind.

Ardent:  In 1992, the Cougars were on top of AAA Division 6.  A few years later, we dropped to Division 5.  From all indications, this will be the last year for the Cougars in the RVD.  It appears we will be in the Southwest District next season, and will drop to AA Division 4.   I'd like to get your thoughts on both playing on a lower populated level, and the SW district.

Coach Hicks:  There's not much you can do.  You have no control.  This year, we have AA enrollment, but are playing a AAA schedule.  As far as coaching goes, it really makes no difference. It's not a done deal with the Southwest. It's still up in the air.

Ardent:  How do you see this 2000 Season shaping up?  The RVD coaches have picked us to win the district.  Does that kind of thing matter to you at all?

Coach Hicks:   I think they are trying to set us up!  <laugh>  No, I don't care about that.  All the RVD teams should be tough this year, especially Fleming and PH.  It's wide open.  We have a tough schedule to deal with, going on the road to Glass, Salem, and Bluefield right in a row!  Then, we come back home to play Danville!

Ardent:  You obviously have a strong running game, with Josh Calfee and Frank Cobbs leading the charge.  QB Alan Wheeling did an excellent job last year in place of the injured Travis Roop, and his mobility gives defenses someone else to worry about.  Of course, TE Jeff King has received a lot of attention, and will be a Va. Tech Hokie.  The offense looks to be in terrific shape.  What about the other aspects of the team?  What about pass defense, run defense, kicking, kick coverage, and kick returning?  Which of those do you see as strong points, and what are your biggest concerns?

Coach Hicks:  Last year, our defense and kick coverage were not good.  We've worked hard on them this year.  We've put in a lot of time.  John Hedge is our kicker, and Brandon Hamblin is our punter.  I don't think we'll be disappointed with them.

Ardent:  What would you like to say to the fans?

Coach Hicks: The fan support has always been good.  I know how fans are.  I'm like that sometimes.  If  I'm at a game, I sometimes holler, "Why did he do that?"  Fans pay their money, and it's okay.  There's always some disenchantment.  This is as good a place or better than any other for fan support.

Ardent:  When you retire, what would you want fans and players to remember most about your tenure as Head Coach of the Pulaski County Cougars?

Coach Hicks:  Two things.  First, I always treat the kids on the 'scout team' the same as the starters.  I  make sure they know that they are part of the team.  I give all the players my respect.  Second, I never once asked a teacher to give a kid a 'break'.  Never in any of my 21 years here.

As we wrapped things up, I thanked him for a great interview.  He shook my hand, said that he was glad to do it, then headed off to go home for dinner.

All throughout, he was very gracious and helpful.  Depending on what the subject matter was, Joel smiled, laughed, frowned, winced, looked contemplative... in short, his expressions matched his words.  I got the sense of a friendly and likeable, but also intense, man who cares very deeply about what he does, and the people involved - players, coaches and fans alike.

Maybe the attitude that Coach Hicks exudes is best illustrated by what I heard one of the players say to another as they headed for the parking lot:

"We can be as good as we want to be."