Leon Cougars welcome new coaches

Keith Sitton, head coach, (center) with new coaches Dudley Kelm (L) and Charlie Brown (R). Paul’s Photos Coach Jason Evans comes to Leon as the new varsity volleyball coach after a successful stint at Centerville. The Lady Cougars lost six starters from last year’s team but have six returning ladies. They will be a young team this year with three seniors, one junior and six sophomores on the team. Last year’s junior varsity team had a very good season under Coach Deanna Engleman and should provide some help for the varsity.

Coach Keith Sitton of the Cougar football team welcomes Dudley Kelm and Charlie Brown to his coaching staff this fall.

Dudley begins his 35th year in coaching. He coached the last two years at Crandall. He has coached at Hamilton, Belton, Crandall, and Tarleton State before coming to Leon. Dudley will coach the offensive line. His son Nate is currently coaching at Mexia.

Charlie Brown is entering his 31st year in the coaching profession. He comes from Leon after coaching the last three years at Fort Worth Boswell. Brown has also coached at Palacios and Honey Grove. Brown will coach the secondary and is the new head coach of the boy’s basketball team. He and his wife Becky have a son, Brock, who is in the 8th grade. Becky teaches the 6th grade at Leon.

Coach Sitton welcomed 51 athletes to the two-a-day workouts. He will have about 27 on the varsity team. Sixteen returning lettermen including 1st Team All District performers Seth Noey (running back) and Cason McCune (offensive tackle) give the Cougars experience. They return eight offensive and eight defensive starters from last year. They have nine seniors and 14 juniors that will give them experience on both sides of the ball.

Coach Sitton said, “Franklin should be the top pick in the district but the 2nd and 3rd positions are up for grabs.” Sitton is excited about the new football field that has been completely redone. Sitton said, “Our experience is definitely an asset and if we avoid injuries we should be all right this year”

Good luck to the Cougars and welcome to the new coaches.