By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Glen Cox takes over at Cabool and what he may be lacking in experience – with just seven starters back – he makes up for in passion and enthusiasm.
He’s been an assistant at places like Kickapoo, Lamar and Bolivar among other programs, learning from the likes of Kurt Thompson, Scott Bailey and Lance Roweton.
He may be a first-year head coach, but he isn’t new to this.
“I have been blessed to be mentored by the best in my career,” said Cox. “I have been pretty blessed. I have waited 24 years to have this opportunity and I am giving it all I have to work and bring our football program together to have a positive impact and bring our community together.”
Two names Cabool fans will be hearing often are Carson Lindsay and Oscar Soto.
Lindsay is a senior returner at defensive back but will also see touches all over the field, be it from carries or catches. Soto is just a sophomore, but saw reps all over the field last season and will also see significant time at linebacker.
Another two-way starter back in the mix is senior Easia Pasay who will look to anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Sophomore Braylon Haywood returns at defensive end as well.
Senior Lance Johnson returns starting experience at linebacker. He’ll also play some running back.
Carson Long started in the secondary last year and will also add quarterback duties to his resume this fall.
“He is a tough farm kid who is a hard-nosed football player for us,” said Cox. “We are looking to be built around a strong running game that is capable of success through throwing the football. We will be ground and pound, but we hope to be an exciting offense to watch.”
Senior Kiel Ellison will provide an instant boost to the offensive and defensive lines. Junior Josh Jansen will join him on both sides of the ball as well. Classmate Justin Moore will see time at tight end as well as on the defensive line.
Sophomores August Montgomery and Briley Honeycutt will see roles at linebacker and defensive back respectively.
“Defensively we will be in a 4-3 alignment playing zone coverage,” said Cox. “We hope to play hard-nosed, disciplined football with 11 guys running to the football every play. We are working to build a defense that will fly around, hit people and make plays.”
Cabool has been over .500 just once in the last 15 years. That season came in 2020 when the Bulldogs went 6-5. Last year’s 5-6 group came close to duplicating that success with three of those losses coming by four points or less.
Cox is hopeful to hit the ground running and take the next step as Cabool looks to remain relevant in Class 1 and the SCA.
The culture within the program is greatly improved, now it’s time for Cox to take it to the next level.
“I am pretty blessed to be at Cabool,” said Cox. “We have great kids who work hard for us, are dependable and do anything you ask them to with very supportive parents and community. We want to build a program that continues the success built by Tyler Spittler and the seniors from last season, and that reflects the values of our community of hard work, pride and blue collar.
“My goal coming in this summer was to have 100 percent accountability and attendance and we have averaged about 25-28 kids every day showing up for 6 am weights since June and working hard for us, while the rest have communicated with me about what they had going on. I wanted to establish our core values and set our culture of brotherhood, toughness, relentless effort and faith in which our kids and our football family have been so great about buying into so far at this point. We are working together- players, coaches, parents, staff and community to build a program that has a positive impact upon our community in Cabool. We want our kids to learn how to be successful as men, husbands and fathers and be ready to be successful in life.”
Cabool won’t participate in a jamboree this fall, but will open the 2024 regular season at El Dorado Springs on Aug. 31. Cabool will play its home opener on Sep. 6 against Lutheran South.
