The Write Team Podcast

Does a true leader ever really retire?
In this heartfelt closing conversation on School House Rocks, host David Weaver sits down with Superintendent Dr. Jerry Gibson to reflect on leadership, perseverance, and the desire to continue serving students—even after retirement.
Dr. Gibson shares behind-the-scenes stories about secretly recruiting highly-touted football coach Claude Mathis to Marshall ISD, discusses why great leaders sometimes have to make difficult personal decisions, and opens up about navigating professional challenges while maintaining his faith and commitment to education.
Most importantly, he explains why his greatest desire isn't another title—it's simply another opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Topics include:
• Recruiting Claude Mathis to Marshall ISD• Building successful leadership teams• Putting people ahead of positions• Overcoming professional adversity• Trusting God's direction through life's valleys• The heart of servant leadership• Why leadership is about influence—not titles• Continuing to invest in students after retirement
Whether you're an educator, coach, administrator, or anyone navigating life's unexpected turns, this conversation is a powerful reminder that purpose doesn't end when a job does.
#SchoolHouseRocks #TheWriteTeamPodcast #Leadership #ServantLeadership #EducationLeadership #MarshallISD #EducationalLeadership #Resilience #FaithAndLeadership #Superintendent #Legacy #StudentSuccess

Should the Bible be taught in public schools?
It's one of the most discussed—and most debated—issues facing education today.
In this episode of School House Rocks, host David Weaver and retired superintendent Dr. Jerry Gibson explore the intersection of faith, public education, constitutional rights, and school leadership.
As committed Christians and experienced educators, both men share why they believe faith is essential while also discussing the legal, constitutional, and practical challenges school leaders face when government mandates intersect with religious expression.
Topics include:
• Bible instruction in public schools• The Ten Commandments in classrooms• Religious freedom and the First Amendment• Separation of church and state• Student-led faith activities• The role of families and churches in spiritual development• Challenges facing public school administrators• Balancing constitutional rights with educational responsibilities
This is not a political debate—it is a thoughtful conversation between two longtime educators and believers seeking to navigate one of today's most complex educational issues with wisdom, conviction, and respect.
#SchoolHouseRocks #TheWriteTeamPodcast #FaithAndEducation #ReligiousFreedom #PublicEducation #EducationLeadership #SchoolLeadership #FirstAmendment #ChristianLeadership #TexasEducation #EducationalLeadership #StudentFaith

What does the future hold for public education in Texas?
In this episode of School House Rocks, host David Weaver sits down with retired superintendent Dr. Jerry Gibson for a candid conversation about the challenges facing today's public schools.
From school choice and education savings accounts (ESAs) to district funding, property taxes, and the increasing pressure on school leaders, Dr. Gibson offers a superintendent's perspective on navigating one of the most significant transitions in modern public education.
Rather than focusing solely on politics, the discussion centers on what school districts can control: providing exceptional educational opportunities, finding innovative revenue sources, strengthening career and technical education, and giving families compelling reasons to choose public schools.
Topics include:
• School choice and education savings accounts (ESAs)• Funding challenges facing Texas public schools• Property taxes and school finance• Creating competitive public school programs• Career and technical education opportunities• Revenue generation for school districts• School leadership during times of change• Why excellence remains the best strategy for public education
Whether you're an educator, administrator, school board member, policymaker, parent, or taxpayer, this conversation provides valuable insight into one of education's most important issues.
#SchoolHouseRocks #TheWriteTeamPodcast #EducationLeadership #PublicEducation #SchoolChoice #TexasEducation #SchoolFunding #EducationalLeadership #SchoolLeadership #Superintendent #EducationPolicy #StudentSuccess

What separates a good school district from a great one?
Former Marshall ISD Superintendent Dr. Jerry Gibson joins host David Weaver for an in-depth conversation about educational leadership, school improvement, and the philosophy that guided one of East Texas' most successful academic turnarounds.
From his early days in ministry and coaching to leading school districts across Texas, Dr. Gibson shares how servant leadership, accountability, and a relentless focus on students transformed struggling campuses into thriving schools.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• How Dr. Gibson became an educator and superintendent• The story behind Marshall ISD's academic turnaround• Building trust between school boards and administrators• Leading major bond projects and new school construction• Navigating the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19• Why "student-centered" leadership changes everything• The importance of setting high expectations for students and staff• Lessons in leadership, teamwork, and transparency that apply far beyond education
Whether you're an educator, administrator, school board member, parent, business leader, or simply interested in effective leadership, this conversation offers timeless principles for building organizations—and people—the right way.
Subscribe to The Write Team Podcast, for conversations that highlight the people shaping education across East Texas and beyond.
Thank you to our team of podcast sponsors:
Elysian Fields ISD
Karnack ISD
Hallsville ISD
Smackover-Norphlet School District
Stiles Electric
#SchoolHouseRocks #TheWriteTeamPodcast #EducationLeadership #SchoolLeadership #StudentSuccess #PublicEducation #MarshallISD #TexasEducation #Superintendent #Leadership #SchoolImprovement #EducationalLeadership

Could NIL eventually reshape Texas high school athletics?
On this segment from a recent episode of From The Press Box, David Weaver and Matt Paul discuss the growing possibility of name, image, and likeness agreements reaching high school sports—and why opening that door could permanently change the game.
🏈 High School NIL
What current UIL rules allow Texas high school athletes to sign
Why athletes cannot receive NIL payments until reaching college
How other states are already handling high school NIL
Whether Texas can keep NIL out of high school athletics long-term
💰 Money, Recruiting and Competitive Balance
Could wealthy programs gain an even greater advantage?
Would families begin choosing schools based on financial opportunities?
How NIL could affect recruiting, transfers and community-based athletics
Why some coaches believe high school NIL is inevitable
🎓 The Value of a Scholarship
Has college sports lost sight of the value of a free education?
Why only a small percentage of athletes will ever play professionally
The difference between opportunities at Division I and Division III programs
Could NIL funds be protected until an athlete graduates?
The college sports landscape changed rapidly once NIL arrived. The question now is whether high school athletics can avoid becoming the next financial battleground.
#FromThePressBox #NIL #HighSchoolSports #TXHSFB #TexasHighSchoolFootball #CollegeFootball #UIL #SportsRecruiting #EastTexasSports #SportsPodcast
Thank you to our sponsors for making The Write Team Podcast possible!
Elysian Fields ISD
Karnack ISD
Hallsville ISD
Smackover-Norphlet School District (Ark.)
Stiles Electric

Will new UIL practice regulations effectively tackle the heat in Texas?
Football season is just around the corner —but before teams hit the field, there's a major rule change every coach, player, and parent needs to understand. 🏈☀️
In this segment of a recent episode of From The Press Box, David and Matt discuss the UIL's new mandatory heat safety protocols and how the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) system will change football practices across Texas.
🏈 New UIL Heat Rules
What the WBGT system measures and why it matters
How temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation determine practice conditions
New restrictions on practice length and protective equipment
When outdoor practices must be shortened—or canceled altogether
☀️ Player Safety
Why the UIL made these changes mandatory in 2026
The growing emphasis on preventing heat-related illnesses
How rapid cooling zones and emergency preparedness could save lives
Why coaches have largely supported the new standards
🏫 Challenges for Schools
The financial burden of meeting the new requirements
How smaller districts may struggle with compliance
Questions surrounding enforcement and accountability
Could these rules eventually impact early-season football games?
This episode takes a closer look at one of the biggest changes to Texas high school athletics in years and why player safety remains the top priority.
#FromThePressBox #TXHSFB #TexasHighSchoolFootball #UIL #FootballSafety #HeatSafety #HighSchoolFootball #EastTexasSports #SportsPodcast #WBGT
Thank you to our sponsors for making The Write Team Podcast possible:
Elysian Fields ISD
Karnack ISD
Hallsville ISD
Smackover-Norphlet School District (Ark.)
Stiles Electric

Football season is almost here, and some of the biggest stories are happening off the field. 🏈
On this episode of From The Press Box, David and Matt discuss new UIL heat safety rules, the growing debate over NIL and transfers in Texas high school football, the SEC's future, and whether ESPN is entering a new era.
🏈 Texas High School Football
New UIL heat safety rules take effect this season
How the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) system will impact practices
Why player safety remains the top priority
Challenges facing smaller Texas school districts
💰 High School NIL & Transfers
Could NIL eventually reach Texas high school athletics?
Should student-athletes be allowed to transfer strictly for athletic opportunities?
Breaking down the recent eligibility rulings involving two high-profile Texas recruits
The long-term impact on Texas high school football
🏆 College Football
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey hints at a possible break from the NCAA
Is college football headed toward a true super conference?
Strength of schedule vs. playoff selection
How NIL has reshaped the national landscape
📺 Sports Media
ESPN's latest round of layoffs
What the departures of longtime personalities could mean
Is the network changing its business model?
Why live sports continue to drive the future of television
#FromThePressBox #TexasHighSchoolFootball #TXHSFB #CollegeFootball #SEC #NIL #ESPN #SportsPodcast #EastTexasSports #Football

Three-time Texas state champion coach Claude Mathis joins From The Press Box for an in-depth conversation about one of the most successful coaching careers in Texas high school football. 🏈
From Marshall to DeSoto, Coach Mathis reflects on the lessons, relationships, and culture that have defined his journey.
🏈 In this exclusive interview:
Why returning to high school football was about family first
Coaching all three of his children and the decision to leave the college ranks
His memorable two-year run at Marshall and the community that embraced his family
The controversial two-point conversion against Huntsville—and why he'd make the same call again
🏆 Building a Champion
Returning to DeSoto and rebuilding the Eagles' championship culture
How changing the weight room, offseason program, and daily expectations transformed the program
Winning three consecutive state championships
Why great assistant coaches are the foundation of every successful program
🔥 2026 Season Preview
DeSoto's move from 6A to 5A Division I
Managing expectations after a state championship
One of the toughest non-district schedules in Texas:
St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
Allen
Duncanville
Why Coach Mathis believes playing elite competition prepares his team for championship football
⭐ East Texas Football
Why East Texas continues to produce outstanding players
The biggest difference between East Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
The importance of year-round competition and development
Why Marshall will always hold a special place in Coach Mathis' heart
Whether you're a coach, player, parent, or football fan, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at leadership, culture, and sustained success at the highest level of Texas high school football.
#FromThePressBox #ClaudeMathis #DeSoto #TexasHighSchoolFootball #TXHSFB #MarshallMavericks #Coaching #HighSchoolFootball #SportsPodcast #EastTexasSports

The countdown to football season continues, and the biggest stories are already making headlines. 🏈
On this segment from a recent episode of From The Press Box, David and Matt discuss Big 12 Media Days, the growing attention surrounding Texas Tech, and one of football's most difficult conversations—player safety.
🏈 Big 12 Media Days
Why Big 12 Conference continues to dominate offseason headlines
Has Texas Tech Red Raiders become the conference's biggest storyline?
The NCAA's investigation into Cincinnati Bearcats
Joey McGuire's growing reputation as one of college football's rising coaches
💰 Business of College Athletics
The Big 12's new sponsorship agreement with Monster Energy
Is a $1 million-per-school payout enough in today's NIL era?
What the deal says about the conference's national standing
Why perception matters as much as revenue
🧠 Football Safety
New findings surrounding former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland
The continuing conversation about CTE and player safety
Can football ever eliminate the risks of repeated head trauma?
How today's game differs from previous generations
💭 Plus:
The evolution of targeting rules
The rise of flag football
Whether football can remain the same game while becoming safer
A thoughtful discussion about where college football is headed—and the challenges the sport still faces on and off the field.
#FromThePressBox #CollegeFootball #Big12 #TexasTech #CTE #FootballSafety #NCAA #TXHSFB #SportsPodcast #Football

Why can't we just let pitchers pitch anymore? ⚾
On this segment of From The Press Box, the guys tackle two of baseball's hottest debates: the growing controversy surrounding MLB All-Star voting and whether pitch counts are preventing fans from witnessing history.
⭐ MLB All-Star Game
Is fan voting still the best way to select All-Stars?
Has the Midsummer Classic become more of a popularity contest than a showcase of the season's best players?
Should every team still be guaranteed an All-Star representative?
Why late withdrawals continue to frustrate fans
⚾ Pitch Counts & No-Hitters
Are managers pulling pitchers too early?
Should a pitcher throwing a no-hitter ever be removed after six or seven innings?
The recent decisions involving young starters and the backlash that followed
Why today's emphasis on analytics has changed the way baseball is managed
💭 Plus:
Comparing today's game to the era of Nolan Ryan
The balance between protecting pitchers and preserving baseball history
Why fans deserve the chance to witness something special
From All-Star traditions to the future of pitching, this episode explores whether modern baseball has become too protective of its biggest moments.
#FromThePressBox #MLB #AllStarGame #Baseball #NoHitter #PitchCounts #MajorLeagueBaseball #SportsPodcast #BaseballTalk