The Fisher King: Plano promotes new DC as Stewart deals with health issues

From David Blakely to Scott Smith to Reid Waller to current head coach Jaydon McCullough, the Plano Senior football team has a history of promoting from within.

That trend is continuing as defensive backs coach Chris Fisher has been named the Wildcats new defensive coordinator. Fisher is taking over for Clint Stewart, who is stepping down because of health problems.

“I’ve been having a hard time balancing teaching, coaching and taking care of my health,” Stewart said. “Coaching takes up a lot of hours, so I decided I needed to take a step back and get myself right. This was one of the toughest decisions of my life because coaching is my passion.”

As difficult as the decision was for Stewart to make, it was also difficult for the Wildcats to hear.

“It’s tough from a personal perspective because I’ve worked with Clint for 14 years,” McCullough said. “And it’s tough from a football perspective because he has been our defensive coordinator for five years and done a phenomenal job.”

The numbers back the latter portion of that statement up.

Stewart took over the defense in 2006 and saw the Wildcats ranked second in the area and 11th in the state that season. The next year, Plano advanced to the Class 5A State Semifinals on the strength of a defense that was top-rated in the Metroplex and fourth in the state. Stewart’s defense upped the ante further in 2010 as the Wildcats were again the best-rated in the area and also ranked second in the state.

But while the product on the field was strong, Stewart was weakening.

Dealing with high blood pressure and cholesterol issues, Stewart knew a change was needed.

“I had to do something for myself if I wanted to watch my own kids grow up,” Stewart said.

With 2-year-old McKenzie and 6-year-old Tate as the deciding factors, Stewart elected to take a leave from coaching. He will, however, retain his position as a physical education teacher at Carlisle Elementary School.

“I always thought it was the perfect set up,” Stewart said, “because I got to play with the little kids earlier in the day and then go out to the field and play with the big kids in the afternoon.”

When Stewart, who began with the district in 1997 and moved to varsity in 1999, might return to the field is something even he doesn’t know.

“I’m just going to take this season off and see how it goes, and see how I’m doing health-wise,” Stewart said. “After that, I’ll decide the best course of action. Obviously I’d love to be back coaching at Plano. In my opinion, there is not a better place to be in the state of Texas. But regardless of what happens in the future, I’m very fortunate for the people I’ve got to work with. I’ve made some great friends and really, they are more like family because I’ve spent so much time with them.”

That admiration runs both ways.

“You don’t like losing someone you love and that’s the situation we’re in so it’s going to be a change for sure,” McCullough said. “Replacing coach Stewart will be tough; he is leaving some big shoes to fill.”

Attempting to fill those shoes will be Fisher.

And he already knows what will be expected of him.

“Since the start of the 1990s, the Plano defense has been the Plano defense,” Fisher said. “There have been a few tweaks because of the explosion of the passing game, but I’m not looking to reinvent the wheel. We will continue to do what we’ve always done.”

And Fisher has a good understanding for what the Plano defense does as he has been in the system since 2002.

“If you look at our program and its tradition of promoting from within,” Fisher said, “I am a prime example of what Plano is all about.”

McCullough touched on that subject as well.

“I’m excited that we were able to promote from within and stay with the Plano tradition,” he said. “It sends a great message to the coaches we have that if you do a little extra you will have the chance to be promoted.”

Fisher, who teaches PE at Wyatt Elementary, started his trek in 2002 by asking former coach, and current Plano ISD athletic director, Gerald Brence for an opportunity. Brence told Fisher to come in on the weekends and put in the work to see if he could earn a spot.

“I was volunteering and I would do whatever they needed,” Fisher said. “I’d do scouting, Wildcat Paws, film pick up or drop off, make copies, whatever. And at the same time, I could watch guys like Clint Stewart, Scott Smith and Sam Shields, and learn the craft of coaching defense.”

Fisher was promoted to the offensive and defensive line coach at Vines High School in 2004 and moved up to varsity wide receiver coach/junior varsity defensive coordinator by 2006. The upward trajectory continued in 2007, when Fisher became a varsity defensive backs coach.

“That was exciting because I played defensive back in high school and college,” Fisher said, “so that’s really what I wanted to get into.”

Four years later, Fisher is making another jump.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “And it’s the next step in my career to get me to where I want to go.”

And this is a step Fisher’s peers believe he is ready for.

“I definitely think coach Fisher is prepared,” McCullough said. “He comes from a unique background and communication is his strength, so he gets along with lots of different types of people. In our business it’s all about that personal connection; coach Fisher is really smart and the more responsibility he gets, the better he’ll do.”

The person Fisher is replacing concurred.

“There is no doubt the defense is in good hands with coach Fisher next year,” Stewart said. “I think he can be as good as it gets.”

And if Fisher does run into any problems, he will still have Stewart to lean on.

“Clint is one of my best friends in coaching; I wouldn’t be anywhere in this profession without him and I know I will be able to call him whenever I need something,” Fisher said. “It’s a tough situation because I am losing a great mentor, but as a friend, I understand he is doing what is best for him and his family.”

And with Stewart making changes for his family, the Plano Wildcats have adjusted accordingly to keep it in their family. A family with seven state championships and a tradition to uphold.

“I want everyone to know I understand the opportunity I’ve got,” Fisher said. “I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and get to work.”

Current Rating: 4 of 5 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

 Plano Apartments
 Plano Attorneys
 Plano Auto Dealers
 Plano Auto Parts
 Plano Auto Repair
 Plano Beauty Salons
 Plano Car Rental
 Plano Dentists
 Plano Doctors
 Plano Flowers
 Plano Hotels
 Plano Insurance
 Plano Loans
 Plano Mortgages
 Plano Movers
 Plano Pizza
 Plano Realtors
 Plano Restaurants
 Plano Storage
 Plano Tax Preparation
 Plano Travel
 Featured
 More...