By Warren Morrison
02/05/00
Herald Banner staff
COMMERCE - Winning the school's first-ever state championship seven weeks ago may have been his crowning achievement, but Commerce Tigers athletic director and football head coach Steve Lineweaver said there is something more he treasures in his seven years in that role.
"I cherish every one of those seasons," a subdued Lineweaver said during an interview earlier this week. "because each and every one of those groups of boys was special in their own way."
Lineweaver's role will officially come to an end Feb. 21 when the Commerce Independent School District Board of Trustees is expected to accept his resignation. He is leaving to take the head coaching position at Trinity High School in Euless.
It is a move Lineweaver, who began his coaching career in 1976 as a Trinity assistant, accepts with some reservations.
"Coaching is having an intuition. Sometimes, you get a feeling that it's time to go and it's hard to explain. It's not so much that the athletes at Trinity are more attractive. That's certainly not the case," he said.
"I'm not in it for the money. I will appreciate forever the seven years I had with these boys. It was unbelievably rewarding. I will cherish the friendships we had here. I will not forget these boys."
In his tenure, Lineweaver guided the Tigers to an 83-14-2 record that included seven straight district championships and going six years undefeated in district play. The Tigers advanced to the state championship three times, each against Sealy.
Sealy won the 1995 and 1997 games, but not before Commerce mounted a comeback effort. However, Commerce proved on Dec. 18 that the third time was the charm with a 17-10 win in Texas Stadium.
Lineweaver also received Coach of the Year honors in 1999 from the Texas Sports Writers Association for guiding the team to a perfect 16-0 record.
"It so happened we had a high achievement this year," Lineweaver said. "But I wouldn't trade the coaching (of the players from previous teams). I wouldn't know where to stop, so don't get me started because I wouldn't want to leave anyone out."
CISD Superintendent Loretta Kibler appreciates the impact Lineweaver has made on the students Ñ and not only on the football field.
"Steve is a great football coach. His knowledge and instinct for the game coupled with his ability to motivate students is an unbeatable combination," she said.
One who is happy with Lineweaver's decision is Trinity principal Andy Cargile, who said the new head coach brings "a complete package" with him to the Trojans' football program.
"Every coach is good with the X's and O's, but Steve is good in all areas. He cares about every kid and their families, the coaching staff and the community. His success speaks for itself," Cargile said.
Cargile said that Lineweaver was the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Board of Trustees' top choice from a field of five finalists. The principal added that if the trustees did not make the move, Lineweaver would have been quickly selected by another school district.
As the new Trinity head football coach, Lineweaver will receive an annual salary of $80,000, according to Cargile. Lineweaver is also expected to apply for the school's vacant boys athletic coordinator position and if he is chosen, will receive an additional $4,000 a year.
"We would like for him to start yesterday," Cargile said.
Lineweaver, too, would like to start at Trinity as soon as possible.
"It is best to go quickly and not linger around too long," he said. "It is painful to leave in a lot of ways and it eases the pain if you can get down the road."
Lineweaver indicated that he would like to bring some of the Commerce assistant coaches with him to Trinity, but he wants to assess the situation at the Bedford school before making any decisions.
As for his successor at Commerce, Lineweaver said he would be "glad to talk to the administration" on possible replacements Ñ including some Commerce assistant coaches Ñ but he sees the school board opening the search throughout the state.
"I expect the Tigers to continue, without a doubt, their successful football program," he said. " I think they are always going to do well."
A native of Abilene, Lineweaver also coached at Grapevine and Southlake Carroll before coming to Commerce in 1993. At Trinity, he replaces Ed Hickman, who resigned in December.
The match with Commerce was one of mutual admiration and appreciation, according to Lineweaver.
"I will certainly miss the community," he said. "You could see the mutual
appreciation and how they enjoyed these boys, just like I did. The community certainly seemed to appreciate our program for what we were trying to do here. "
On a personal note from this web coordinator:
Coach Lineweaver was a good friend to me, too. Over the years he was at Commerce he gave me encouragement when I needed it. I enjoyed being able to travel with the football teams in 94-95 school years. I was fortunate enough to have escorted the teams to their state playoffs for these years. You even gave me recognition for my efforts during that time when I was no longer with the Commerce Police. That meant more to me than anything!! I appreciated the opportunity to have know Coach Lineweaver from his first days in Commerce, Texas. Congratulations Coach and Best wishes on your move to even better things.. and thanks for some great memories to me, as well.
Sincerely,
Roger D. Huffman
Former Commerce Police Chief
and dedicated fan....