Mourning named new coach at Aledo High School

Brian Mourning

With the Texas heat, many golfers like to hit the course in the morning.

In Aledo, there is a brand new Mourning in the golf program, as in new head coach Brian Mourning, who has taken over both the boys and girls programs. Morning replaces Joe Roquemore and James Mullins, who led the boys and girls to Class 5A State Tournament appearances this past season, respectively.

Mourning comes to Aledo after having spent the past six months as a tax preparer in Glen Rose. Prior to that he had been an assistant baseball coach at Godley and head softball and golf coach at Fort Worth Southwest High School. He also worked in the Keene ISD and has nearly 20 years experience in all.

Mourning, a 1994 graduate of Godley High School, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas Tech University, and he will be teaching psychology and sociology at Aledo High School. He played football and ran track for John Rhodes, a coach at Aledo for 34 years and still a coach of the Vault Cats pole vault club.

“Coach Mourning is a great addition to our coaching staff, and I’m excited to see him continue to elevate our golf program and keep up the great golf tradition we have in Aledo,” Aledo Athletic Director Steve Wood said.

Mourning, who lives in Cresson and is a member at DeCordova Bend Country Club in Granbury, called Aledo a “perfect fit.”

“I just feel like I need to be in the classroom and out on the course helping and leading young people,” he said. “I feel like this is where God is leading me to be.

“I can’t emphasize how much coach Mullins and coach Roquemore have helped me, and coach Wood for his support. I’m going to do my best to help these kids out.”

Mourning has already hit the ground running, with tryouts for the Bearcats and Ladycats set for Aug. 1-2 at Squaw Creek Golf Course. Both tryouts are from 5-7:30 p.m., with the girls going on Monday and the boys Tuesday.

Those trying out are asked to get there early to get warmed up, checked in with their physical and provide other information as needed. All players must have:

• Updated physicals.

• Bring their own golf clubs and balls.

• Collared shirts, tucked in.

• Knowledge of the game, a good understanding of the basic rules.

• A copy of report card from this past school year.

• Their own water bottle.

The tryout format includes:

• Short game evaluation.

• Full swing evaluation (on the range).

• Three holes of play.

• Golf etiquette.

• Commitment to the team (past grades, travel to and from practice, etc.).

“I’m looking for kids to come out and compete with a good attitude and a great effort,” Mourning said. “When you make mistakes, it’s an opportunity for growth.

“This is an opportunity for me to see these kids and get to know them.”

Mourning stressed that returning players - and Aledo has plenty - also have to try out.

“I still want them to try out. It’s another opportunity for them to compete,” he said. “I want kids to come to practice every day knowing they’re going to have to compete.”

Mourning also emphasized that if some players can’t make the tryout schedule because of a conflict they contact him before July 29 and something will be arranged for separate tryouts.

“We’ll work it out. I’m not going to punish a kid for being out of town for family vacation,” he said. “I’m just excited to get the season going.”