Fort Bend Dulles’ Geist takes over Clark
Fort Bend Dulles coach J.L. Geist was hired for the same position at Clark, Northside ISD Stan Laing confirmed Monday.
Geist, 53, was 17-12 in three seasons at Dulles, including an 8-3 mark and playoff appearance in 2018. Geist informed his players at Dulles of his departure during a meeting held Monday morning.
Geist, a 1984 graduate of Bonham, replaces Steve McGhee, who stepped down after nine seasons. McGhee was 33-59 and made the playoffs twice during his tenure at Clark.
“I’m excited because of everything I’ve heard and seen about Northside ISD,” Geist said. “It’s a great district with a great administration. I’m excited about getting into that district and competing in it. …It’s a great community with great kids. Being a part of Clark, Texas, is a pretty cool thing.”
This is Geist’s second head-coaching job. Before arriving at Dulles in 2016, he was the defensive coordinator at Cedar Park Vista Ridge for seven years. He’s also coached at Austin High, Kyle Lehman, Houston St. Pius X and Spring high schools. He’s also coached at the boys and girls at the middle-school level and several other sports, including track and field, basketball and wrestling over a 30-year coaching career.
“I’ve coached different age levels and different talent levels,” Geist said. “I know how they all work together as part of an overall athletic program.”
Geist inherits a team that went 3-7 a season ago and is graduating its top passer, rusher and receiver. Clark hasn’t had a winning record since 2009, when the Cougars went 13-1.
“I know they’ve struggled recently, and I know they have a tradition of excelling at Clark,” Geist said. “I’m looking to see what we can do to provide a culture shift.”