Published: June 05, 2009 08:54 pm      

Former Bulldogs football coach retires

Eastland honored for 20 years of service at New Waverly

NEW WAVERLY — On the same day in which Bob Eastland was honored after giving 20 years of service to New Waverly High School, he also ended his teaching career.

Eastland, who was the New Waverly athletic director and football coach for 15 years before resigning from both positions in 2005 but continued to teach, received a signed football from former Bulldog football players as part of his going-away present.

“I’ve got a lot of memories of all the kids from all my years of coaching,” Eastland said. “After being here for 20 years and coaching for 17 of them and seeing them grow up as fathers, like Shane Barge who was my first starting quarterback and now is a leader in the community, is pretty neat. That’s one of the benefits of being in one place for a long time.

“I enjoyed the years of coaching because I had some really good coaches. ... To have that and just be in a good community was very fortunate for me.”

Along with spending time with his family, Eastland will be able to focus his energies on running Hilltop Icehouse in Point Blank, which he purchased in March.

“I’ve been running that and teaching,” Eastland said. “Right now, I feel like there’s a big weight off my back where I can spend my time there. It’s been around since 1982. I was very fortunate to be able to buy it. So that is my retirement home.”

John Duplichan, who was on Eastland’s final team and currently plays offensive line for McMurry University, has fond memories of the former Bulldog boss.

“He’s one of the strictest coaches I’ve had, which made me a better man,” Duplichan said. “He taught us a lot about respect. I use that every day, whether it’s on the football field or off. I respect my elders, my coaches and people I don’t know. I really enjoyed the two years that he did coach me.”

Former Bulldogs star Paul Donelson has had a stellar career in football following his years at New Waverly and remains thankful to Eastland for that.

Donelson starred at Sam Houston State as an All-American safety. After graduating from SHSU, Donelson returned to New Waverly as a coach. In the role of defensive coordinator, Donelson helped lead the Bulldogs to the Class 2A Division II semifinals. The former Bulldog is currently the safeties coach at Class 5A Spring Westfield.

“He was a good man as well as a good coach,” Donelson said. “He always has the kids’ best interests in mind. He taught me a lot about preparation for games and also for college. He really drove home the point that I can have a career in football after I graduated from New Waverly. He’s a big reason of why I’m where I’m at in my life. He got me on the right track. He’s definitely going to be missed. He’s a good man and has deep respect for everyone around him.”