Marble Falls track, receivers coach hired as New Diana AD
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
MARBLE FALLS — Marble Falls High School coach Robbie Coplin will become the New Diana athletic director and head football coach, pending board approval Feb. 15.
Coplin, who is the Mustangs head track-and-field coach and the co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach for the football team, has been at Marble Falls for two years. Before that, he was a member of the Lake Travis football staff.
“One of my goals ever since I got out of college was to be a head coach and athletic director,” he said.
Though New Diana, which is north of Longview, went 0-10 in 2015, Coplin called it the perfect storm. Eight sophomores and one freshman played on the varsity, while the seventh- and eighth-grade teams each went undefeated last season.
In 2014, the Eagles were 3-8 with a 49-18 bi-district loss to Hughes Springs. But with the University Interscholastic League announcing realignment Feb. 1, Coplin said New Diana was “put in a new district that’s more comparable to what they have been.”
But Coplin didn’t stop there in his examination. He also spoke with new colleagues David and Casey Schubert. David Schubert, who is the Lady Mustangs athletic coordinator and head coach, had the same position at New Diana.
“He thought it would be a good fit for me if I was interested in taking that step,” Coplin said.
While he is looking forward to the challenge, Coplin also said he learned plenty at Marble Falls that he believes will help him.
The biggest is using athletes to play on both sides of the ball.
“That will no doubt help me going to a smaller school,” he said. “And just being in more of an administrative role (as the head track coach). I’ve learned a lot about that side of the business, learned how the transfer process works and all the little things you don’t think about as a coach that has to get done by someone higher up than you. (Marble Falls athletic director and head football coach) Matt Green gave me responsibilities that really helped me out.”
If approved for hire, Coplin said his last day with the Mustangs will be Feb. 19. He will begin his new job Feb. 22.
“I know Coach Green is being helpful to me to be able to get out and start evaluating the coaches there,” he said. “One thing about (Marble Falls), it’ll always have a special place in my heart. There’s a bunch of great people here. I wouldn’t have gotten this job without working at Marble Falls and learning what I learned and being able to work with these kids and seeing a different perspective.”
Since he and his wife are from Arkansas, the move puts the couple 5½ hours closer to their families.
“Being from southwest Arkansas, I understand where kids in that area are coming from,” Coplin said. “I can relate to them. It’ll be a fun challenge for me.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com