Hawks name new football coach

HOUSTON -- As a member of the Houston High staff for 11 years and the Hawk football program for seven, it is only natural that Norm Bouchard was named the head coach of Hawk football.

Bouchard becomes the second head coach in the seven-year history of the Hawk football program. He replaces Mat Bredberg who was not retained after the 2003 season.

"I felt that I can change some things that need improving and keep the positive things that Mat did going," Bouchard said.

Houston athletic director Jamie Smith said intangibles, such as experience within the school and the students' perception of Bouchard, led him to the hire.

Bouchard said that his priority is increasing the number of athletes who participate in football each season.

"That is the one main thing," Bouchard said. "The administration felt Mat wasn't great at that."

Bouchard said his goal is to have over 50 players for the 2004 season. He noted with the increase in numbers, Houston could field full junior varsity and C-teams.

"We need to get the kids playing time," Bouchard said. "Don't want them to hang out watching."

Fans can also look forward to a change in the offensive and defensive schemes.

"It will be a little bit different," Bouchard said.

Bouchard said his offensive philosophy is to use multiple formations and try to confuse opposing defenses.

On the other side of the ball, Bouchard will go back to the system Houston used when he was defensive coordinator for the first five years of the program, an attacking gap defense.

Bouchard has retained one member of the Bredberg staff, Gary Beck.

Beck served as offensive coordinator for the last three seasons and will hold the same position on the Bouchard staff.

Beck is currently the only assistant coach on the staff.

"We are looking around to see what's out there," Bouchard said. "We are looking for coaches with college experience."

Bouchard said his main needs are a quarterbacks and receivers coach, a running backs coach and a linebackers coach.

Football will be the third varsity sport Bouchard has coached at Houston High. Bouchard served as the girls' basketball coach for eight seasons and the head track coach for nine of his 11 years at HHS. Bouchard was also athletic director for his first five years with Houston High.