The Texas High School Coaches Association announced the official class of ROCK mentees for 2022 last month.
Coach Nicole Gonzalez from Coakley Middle School was selected as one of 56 coaches from across the State to be a part of the ROCK Coaches Mentoring Program.
“HCISD’s Athletic Administration reached out to me with the opportunity regarding the nomination and I gladly accepted to make the commitment to the program,” Gonzalez said. “It’s an honor to be nominated for such an amazing program that truly wants to see young coaches learn, grow, and ultimately become the very best coach they can be.”
Gonzalez is a first-year educator who teaches physical education and coaches girls’ volleyball, basketball, and track and field at Coakley.
“Working with very supportive administration and colleagues in the district has been great,” Gonzalez said. “My experience coaching at HCISD has already been so rewarding. Being able to build strong relationships with student athletes and creating a solid foundation for them to grow on is what it’s all about. It has been nothing less than fulfilling to watch these kids grow into leaders. I am so excited to keep growing with them and to be that positive influence they can count on.”
The ROCK Coaches Mentoring Program is a partnership between the THSCA and Texas A&M’s Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy which has been created to meet the needs of and retain high school coaches and administrators.
“As I gain an amazing mentor to help guide me in the coaching field, I am hoping to learn all the ins and outs of coaching and what it truly takes to be successful for the greater success of our student athletes,” Gonzalez said. “I hope to build strong connections and relationships with phenomenal coaches that have inspired many. As a former student athlete of HCISD, I am looking forward to networking and expanding my knowledge to allow me to give back to HCISD in a huge way.”
The 2nd Annual ROCK Coaches Mentoring Workshop will take place at the AT&T Stadium on March 20-21.
“I feel very blessed to be able to have this opportunity to learn from the best of the best,” she said. “It will be an amazing opportunity to hear the stories that led great coaches to reach the point they are at today. I am excited to receive an abundance of support from a mentor that is willing to help me progress and make a difference in my life so that I can make a difference in the lives of kids.”
