The Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, under the leadership of head coach Jesse Burleson, thrives on a foundational principle of constant evaluation. This approach goes beyond typical game-week adjustments; it is a daily practice that drives the program’s success. Burleson emphasizes that while constant evaluation is a broad concept, it must be focused to ensure the team is consistently improving and avoiding burnout. Here’s how constant evaluation has benefited Hardin-Simmons Football:
Promoting Continuous Improvement
Burleson and his staff are committed to the idea that the team should never peak too early in the season. Instead, they aim to continuously improve week after week. This philosophy allows the team to evolve as the season progresses. Burleson highlights that constant evaluation ensures they stay on track without overcomplicating their process. This approach has led to a team that is always improving and getting closer to reaching its full potential at the right moments in the season.
Personalized Player Care
One of the primary focuses of Hardin-Simmons’ evaluation process is the well-being of their players. Burleson explains that taking great care of the athletes is the top priority, and they analyze practice schedules and conditioning routines daily. This flexibility allows them to adjust based on how the players feel, ensuring they receive the right amount of workload while preventing injuries and burnout. By relying on feedback from strength and conditioning coaches, they can fine-tune their routines.
This individualized approach to player care extends to recovery routines. Head Strength and Conditioning Coach James Burke and his staff provide players with a customized “menu” of recovery options tailored to their specific needs, such as shoulder or ankle issues. This attention to detail with recovery has helped the team maintain health and strength throughout the season, leading to fewer injuries and better performance on the field.
Empowering Coaches
Burleson provides his staff with significant autonomy, empowering them to be the “head coaches” of their respective positions. This decentralized decision-making process ensures that coaches can cater to the specific needs of their players. By giving each coach the freedom to run their position groups in the way they see fit, Hardin-Simmons benefits from a more efficient and personalized coaching approach.
Empowering the assistants creates a culture of collaboration and trust within the staff, allowing them to focus on what’s best for their units and the team as a whole. Burleson believes in giving his coaches the responsibility and freedom to make decisions without micromanaging, which has resulted in a highly efficient and effective coaching structure.
Maximizing Efficiency
Efficiency is another key benefit of the constant evaluation process at Hardin-Simmons. Whether it’s limiting staff meetings to just 5-7 minutes or streamlining game plan adjustments, the team avoids unnecessary complications. This efficient approach frees up time for coaches to focus on teaching and developing players, and it reduces the stress of spending excessive hours on tasks that could be accomplished more quickly.
In the same spirit, film sessions are handled individually rather than as a staff. This allows each coach to provide their insights without the risk of groupthink. This method promotes diverse opinions and also saves time. Input from multiple perspectives allows the staff to adapt their game plans accordingly.
Adaptable Game Plans
Hardin-Simmons’ game planning is a reflection of the team’s commitment to constant evaluation. Rather than sticking rigidly to a plan devised early in the week, the coaches are open to making adjustments as they see fit. The staff is able to react to the realities on the field, discarding strategies that don’t work and reinforcing those that do.
This flexible approach helps the team avoid stubbornness in execution, ensuring that practice time is spent efficiently and that strategies are practical rather than theoretical. It also allows for better time management for both the coaches and the players, enhancing the team’s overall performance.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Hardin-Simmons Football’s commitment to constant evaluation has created a culture of continuous improvement, individualized player care, and coaching empowerment. This approach has not only kept the team healthy and improving throughout the season but has also creates a more efficient and adaptable football program. By making constant evaluation a central tenet of their process, Hardin-Simmons ensures they remain competitive and capable of evolving as challenges arise.
D3 Head Coach & Staff of the Week
For their collective efforts in a 44-21 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor, Jesse Burleson and the Cowboy staff were recognized by Coach and Coordaintor and Hansen Ratings as the D3 Head Coach and Staff of the Week.
Notable Stats
Head Coach/Coaching Staff of the Week
Jesse Burleson | Hardin-Simmons | 44-21 vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Second consecutive win vs. UMHB
- Led 44-0 at the end of third quarter
- Averaged 14 yards per pass attempt (double UMHB’s average allowed)
- Scored on 4 straight drives in 2nd/3rd quarters
- Allowed one completion on 14 first half dropbacks
- 242 yards allowed in first 3 quarters
