OUR TURN: Woerner remains an asset to MFISD

Let’s hope recent events in the Marble Falls Independent School District aren’t the start of a long, slow goodbye to Cord Woerner, the scion of a Mustang coaching family who definitely made his mark on the athletics program.

By now, few in town are unaware of developments last week — some would say startling, others would say not soon enough — that saw Woerner transferred as head football coach and athletic director to a desk job at central administration.

Sure, he still will run athletics, at least until his replacement is hired.

But his day calling the shots for Mustang sports is over. However, Woerner remains an asset to MFISD and can help the district move forward into the 21st century.

A person shouldn’t be defined by a job, but by his or her abilities, and Woerner is capable of so much more than just coaching.

Though few will say so publicly, the transfer might have a lot to do with MFISD having built a $10 million Mustang Stadium, but not having a $10 million team to compete in it.

If a team’s going to play in such a state-of-the-art facility, some would say, then it has to be the kind of squad with a real shot at the state playoffs.

That hasn’t happened, though.

Woerner structured his program around both of his sons, and when Zed Woerner was injured this season and couldn’t play quarterback, the team never recovered.

People tend to forget Marble Falls High School is the smallest school in District 25-4A, which includes powerhouse Lake Travis, the five-time state champion with twice the enrollment of MFHS.

Veteran observers of school districts know what usually is really going on when a coach is transferred to a desk job midway through the academic year — it’s a polite way for the administration to say, “Thanks for all your work. We’re giving you a few months out of the limelight to look for another job before the school year ends.”

While this might sound cynical, it’s also not uncommon.

But in Woerner’s case, it wouldn’t be justified.

Though he ended with an eight-year record of 32-50, those numbers don’t tell the full story of the man.

Those numbers say nothing about the proud tradition he’s carrying on from his parents Sandra and Roy Woerner, both longtime MFISD coaches.

Those numbers say nothing about Cord Woerner’s own time as an MFISD student, his athletic career as a Mustang and his graduation in 1983, further cementing his relationship with the school district.

And those numbers say nothing about his efforts to help raise his children, including his two sons and daughter Aspen, as Mustangs.

But most of all, those numbers say nothing about his reputation as a builder of moral character, as a shaper of young hearts and minds, as an example of humility and of the image the community has of an educator who is honest, forthright and, yes, even God-fearing.

These are not liabilities. These are assets.

In his new job, Woerner is being asked to build bridges to the community and to conduct outreach to bilingual students and their families (a growing segment of the population).

A school district, contrary to what many might think, is not about football. It’s about education. And the tasks now set before Woerner are as important to the district’s future as any playoff berth.

He was a leader on the gridiron, and he will be a leader in his new job — so long as he stays.