Glass names Coach of Year

PRESCOTT – Prescott Head Coach Brian Glass was recently honored and named Coach of the Year for all sports.

In a banquet held in Little Rock sponsored by Arkansas Preps and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Glass was one of several who were recognized for their accomplishments. Thing is, getting the award was a complete surprise for him. Glass knew he was going to be named Outstanding Track Coach of the Year, which is no shock as the Curley Wolf thinclads have won four straight state titles, with the senior squad taking 14 consecutive district crowns while the junior team has won 12.

Prior to the 2020 grid campaign, Glass was the offensive coordinator for the Wolves, taking over the head coaching job when Tommy Poole stepped down to be the principal at Prescott High School full-time. In his first year as head coach the Wolves went 10-1 making it to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.

“It was awesome,” Glass said of the award. “I didn’t have a clue. I knew I was getting the track award and I’m honored and humbled (at getting named Coach of the Year). It was an exciting time for sure.” Glass was the only one who didn’t know he would be receiving the award. The Democrat-Gazette contacted the school and members of the Glass family to get background information and photos, asking them to keep Brian in the dark so it would be a surprise. Amazingly, the family managed to keep the secret and Glass was shocked when his named was flashed on a screen behind Steve Sullivan, a well-known sports anchor.

Glass, though, doesn’t take credit for the honor, instead praising his staff and the student athletes who take to the field, working hard toward winning a state championship. He said the award is a testament to the athletes and staff who work hard to make the athletic program a success.

Glass graduated from PHS in 1990, got a Bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist and his Masters from Harding University, returning to PHS in 2002 where he coached track and was the offensive coordinator for the Wolves. He coaches football in the fall, including the seventh grade team to get the younger players ready for what’s in store for them when they reach the high school level, and track in the spring.

Prescott Superintendent Robert Poole said this is a big deal and reflects well on the school and program. People respect the school, but it’s all about the students. He said Glass has done a tremendous job in track with the state titles the Wolves has won. “It takes a coach like him to put it all together to win. We run a great program and will put it against anyone in the state.”

Poole continued saying the state is at an all-time high as student athletes are being recognized nationwide and are getting a lot of looks from colleges.

Glass has had offers to coach elsewhere, but has always turned them down, saying he wanted to coach the Wolves and stay in Prescott. This is a positive for the teams as the players get the consistency they need to maintain a winning program.

Poole said Glass will be recognized at the July meeting of the Prescott School Board and he deserves the recognition.

His brother, Mark, said the event was first class with former Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm the featured speaker. Fromm’s speech, he said, was geared toward the senior athletes, letting them know what they can expect when they get to college. Sullivan was the master of ceremonies and went through the other awards first, saving the Male and Female Student Athletes of the Year and Coach of the Year for last.

Saying he would start with the Coach of the Year, Sullivan gave a sweep of his arm and a sign behind him flashed “Brian Glass, 2021 Coach of the Year”. Mark said Brian was behind him at the table and didn’t realize what was happening at first and was shocked when he found out.