Bradshaw return to Bastrop full of optimism

Driving north on Highway 165 a sign welcomes people into the city of Bastrop. Not much farther down the road a navy blue sign sports “Class AAAA State Champions” to commemorate the three straight championships Bastrop won under coach Brad Bradshaw between 2005-2007. It is a city ripe with passion for the Rams football program. This is a city beaming with excitement that the sheriff is back in town. Bradshaw was recently named head coach for a second stint for the Rams beginning this spring.

Bradshaw was head coach first from 1997-2011. He soon wound up coaching football and softball in Crossett High (Crossett). Bradshaw returned to Bastrop as defensive coordinator in 2014 under former coach Thomas Bachman who resigned and is now offensive coordinator at Alexandria Senior High.

Long known for his intense and disciplinary-style of coaching, Bradshaw instilled a winning attitude in a program and in a city that had felt defeated for so many years before it.

Bradshaw led the Rams to the postseason in every season as head coach and was 149-32 overall. The first state championship was later vacated after LHSAA levied recruiting violations against the Bastrop coaching staff.

The town rallied around the team and many remain a firm supporter of Bradshaw to this day.

Former Rams defensive lineman Nick Goree played for Bradshaw from 1998-2001.

Goree, a two-time all-state selection, continues to go to every Bastrop game that he can get to.

“(Bradshaw) is a disciplinarian, something the program really needs,” Goree said. “(Bradshaw) can get the program back to the way it was before. It may take a year or two, but he will.”

Goree said a renewed focus on toughness and defense is what the program was built on.

Goree said the discipline within the program

“People knew how physical we were,” Goree said. “And coach (Bradshaw) helped you in any way he could. He was big about getting guys (to college). He taught his young men on the team how to be a man.”

Assistant athletic director Emma Brooks, also the girls basketball coach, came to Bastrop in 2000 and has seen the Bradshaw method of coaching first-hand. Brooks said she knows first-hand the importance a disciplined structure has.

“Discipline means a lot and we have to be the people that hold kids accountable and expect that type of work ethic,” Brooks said. “It is something that carries over from the field, the court, and the classroom and on into their lives. I am proud (Bradshaw) is back. I believe it is what the program needs.”

Brooks said one thing that is key for the school is that Bradshaw will not just be there to support the football program alone.

“We talk all the time about good things for all the programs,” Brooks said. “It will be great for all our sports. He looks out for the whole school.

Connect with Cody on Twitter @cfutrellTNS or via e-mail cfutrell@thenewsstar.com