Zach Fowler credits assistant coaches for Leopards’ success

By Rick Thomas

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Liberty-Eylau head baseball coach Zach Fowler might not look like the everyday Texas high school coach.

The lanky, 6-foot-3 mentor wears dark sunglasses and lets his shoulder-length hair blow out the sides and back of his L-E cap.

He loves the game of baseball, and he uses that to inspire his players, or “family,” as he says.

“All our guys go out and give their best effort,” Fowler said.”What else can you ask a team to do?”

The Leopards (36-4) will be gunning for their second straight state baseball championship. They won the 4A title over Corpus Christi Calallen last year, and will face Corpus Christi London (34-6) for the Class 3A, Division 1 crown on 7 Thursday night at Round Rock’s Dell Diamond.

Fowler runs the Liberty-Eylau ship, but he’s also one who spreads the praise around.

“I’ve got some incredible assistant coaches and they deserve as much credit as me,” he said. And this is probably the last run for this staff.

“It would be great for all my coaches to go out with a win for the state championship.”

Zach’s father, Rick Fowler, has been instrumental in the Leopards’ third straight state finals appearance.

Zach said his dad plans to retire again after the season concludes, and longtime assistant Ricky Rushing is going into administration full time next fall.

Here are Zach’s comments about his three assistant coaches:

Rick Fowler

“The players call him “Daddy Fowler.” 

“He has softened up since his state championship head coaching days (back in 2006).  He knows how to run a ball game and helps me make decisions in the game. 

“He keeps things simple with the players, and he is the one who can calm them down most of the time just by listening. He doesn’t get on them like he used to, so when he does, it comes with some weight these days. 

“They all love him, and he is truly the patriarch of L-E Baseball.”

Ricky Rushing

“Ricky has been my assistant since Day 1. He has put in blood, sweat, and tears to get the program back to where it was when we were teammates in 2006-2007. 

“We have built it back up brick by brick together. He has done it all. He’s the third-base coach and has done a great job with it this year. 

“He’s been the right-hand man, but has had to split duties with his administrative duties this season. He will be going into administration full-time starting next year.”

John Stilson 

“John came over this year from Hooks to replace Coach (Craig) Jones. 

“He has been a seamless transition, and the players have taken to him right away. He is the hardest worker and one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever been around. 

“We were college teammates at Texarkana College in 2009 before he went to Texas A&M and I went to Texas Tech. 

“When a spot opened on my staff, he was my first call, and he has been outstanding running our defense, coaching our pitchers, and hitters. 

“The guy literally can coach and does it all. He also coaches first base in games. He is invaluable to our staff, as well as doing field duties. We are lucky to have him here.”

Local writer Rick Thomas can be reached for comments or other suggestions at his email: rickythomas7140@icloud.com