Rex Henderson named Bulldogs head coach

[pbjelly]

According to NMPreps this morning, Rex was named as Cooper's successor.

[Agent Orange]

www.currentargus.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2016/03/18/rex-henderson-named-artesia-football-coach/81985806/

ARTESIA – Artesia named Rex Henderson as its next head football coach, athletic director Cooper Henderson said.

Rex Henderson, Cooper Henderson’s nephew, has spent the past 15 years with the Bulldogs and is also the school’s track and field coach. Rex Henderson was previously the team’s wide receivers coach, but also helped the rest of the staff coach the offense.

Cooper Henderson said Rex Henderson was among several candidates within his own staff being considered for the job and that the decision will present “a real good transition” for the team.

“I felt like our staff had several people that could make it that way. I thought it was a good time to make a transition. We have a really strong staff, and we have very good kids coming back,” Cooper Henderson said, also mentioning he will continue serving as Artesia’s athletic director. “(Rex’s) goal’s always been to be a head football coach, and this is a very good opportunity for him.”

Cooper Henderson said he was not a part of the school’s selection committee in deciding its next head football coach and could not comment on what Rex Henderson specifically will bring to the table as a coach because he’s a family member.

However, Cooper Henderson said Rex Henderson understands the program, as well as Artesia’s pass-first spread offense.

“They had good people to choose from, but Rex definitely has all the qualities that they were looking for in a new head coach,” said Cooper Henderson, who served as the team’s coach for 27 total seasons. “I think he will see a continuation of the things we’re doing, but then get better with them. These young coaches are going to have good ideas and better ideas.”

Cooper Henderson also said Rex Henderson’s done a good job dealing with parents and kids while coaching Artesia’s track team and that the football players won’t have any trouble getting used to Rex Henderson taking the reigns.

Rex Henderson inherits a team coming off back-to-back 5A state championships and 29 total state titles in the program’s history.

[Mr. Pitch]

He will do well. Congratulations to Rex. A great opportunity for him especially with the mastermind still around for advice.