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Crosstown Move: West Mesquite's Overton takes over football program at Horn
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
Mike Overton, who has been the head football coach at West Mesquite since 2006, accepted the same position across town at Horn High School on Monday.
Overton's first official day was on Tuesday as he takes over for Rodney Webb, who was named head coach at Rockwall on Friday.
"It is a great job, it is an exciting time at Horn and it is a chance for me to be back in 5A at a phenomenal program," said Overton, who is a former assistant at Mesquite and was part of the staff that won the state championship in 2001.
"I love West Mesquite, I love the kids and the staff, but this just fell in my lap and it is a job that is really hard to say no to," Overton said,. "I wasn't looking around, it just kind of found me."
West Mesquite had made just two playoff appearances in school history prior to when Overton got the head coaching position seven years ago. Since taking over in 2006, the Wranglers have made the playoffs every season, compiling a 54-28 record during that span.
West Mesquite advanced to the Class 4A Region II championship game in 2007 and made it to the regional semifinals in 2010.
But this presents a different challenge, as Overton is taking over a Horn team that posted an 8-4 record last season and has made five consecutive trips to the playoffs.
"We want to take it to the next level," Overton said. "This is a team that has been to the playoffs, but the next step is to be a December football team where we are competing for state championships and that is the first thing I told them. We have lofty goals to do something that hasn't been done before."
Overton settled in at his new job with the Jaguars on Tuesday less than a week after ever considering that it could be a reality. But as he turns his attention forward, he can also keep an eye on what is happening across town with his former team.
"I had seven phenomenal years at West Mesquite, the kids are great and it is hard to express my feelings," Overton said. "To watch those kids grow, prosper, enjoy success and go on to college, I have just been so proud, so this is kind of bittersweet ... To be a part of that program and how it has grown, there are a lot of great memories."
Follow Devin Hasson on Twitter; @DevinHasson
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