As the fifth period bell rings throughout campus, the Texas High School boys’ basketball team floods into the locker rooms to get ready for practice with their new coach, Jaylen Rhone.
Rhone came all the way from Ogden, Ark. and graduated from Texas High School in 2016. He played basketball at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. After earning his associate’s degree, he received the opportunity to play at Louisiana Christian University.
“My love for being around the game [inspired me to be a coach],” Rhone said. “I want to help the next generation reach their goals and [experience the same level of] passion [that I have].”
Rhone’s lack of an educator role prior to coming to Texas High gave him a fresh slate to learn and gain experience. Though new to the profession, he allows his determination for success to guide him through arising challenges and uncertainty.
“This is my first time [teaching],” Rhone said. “I will do my best and make some shape [within the team].”
While he applied for only one position, he was unexpectedly placed into an extra role that wasn’t part of his plan.
“ISS was thrown at me,” Rhone said. “I decided to take the challenge to work with the students. I feel like I can guide them in the right direction as well.”
Navigating between an expected career and an unexpected task can be troublesome, but Rhone took it head-on.
“Balancing [coaching and ISS is] pretty easy,” Rhone said. “In ISS, [students] aren’t supposed to talk or anything. [They’re] just supposed to complete their assignments, so it gives me time to focus on my coaching task[s] as well.”
Rhone arrived at Texas High School and immediately hit the ground running with goals and standards set for his players.
“I wanted to bring back a winning culture,” Rhone said. “I actually want to win district again, get to the area [level] and [get on] the road to state. That’s the end goal in mind.”
