Head coach Joe McBride’s Coppell High School Cowboys are currently the number two ranked team in the state of Texas. But two weeks ago, McBride, his staff, the players and the entire community of Coppell had to deal with a tragedy – 17 year old senior defensive back and wide receiver Jacob Logan died in a drowning accident.
Last Friday night’s game – against rival Flower Mound High School – was dedicated to Jacob. As emotions ran high for the Cowboys, they showed their love and support by wearing his number – 21 – on the side of each helmet. A moment of silence was observed before the game in which Coppell prevailed, 27-18. “It was very sullen, very quiet, but very focused,” said McBride. “Our town, school and players dedicated the entire night to Jacob who will be missed by everyone that new him. He was a special person.”
Earlier in the season, Coppell defeated Allen High School, then the number one ranked team in the state, 27-24, in overtime. Their current #2 ranking – behind DeSoto High School – is the school’s highest rating in their history. Going into this season, McBride’s three year record at Coppell is 27-3. Prior to coming to Coppell, McBride was the Head Coach at Frisco Liberty High school. He also was the Defensive Coordinator at Hebron High School in 2005 when they won the state championship.
McBride played high school football at Lewisville in the Dallas area and was a standout linebacker at Texas Tech. In 2011, McBride was named Texas High School Coach of the Year by the Dallas Cowboys. With the title, McBride became the recipient of a $2,000 grant from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities for the Coppell High School football program. “The kids got me there,” said McBride. “It is an honor that I was named, but it was a collective effort.”