Large, bright lights shine on football Coach Kendall Catalon as he stands on the side of the field. Although he does not play anymore, he feels pride and joy spark as his players do their best to win.
“I take the work, teaching from X’s and O’s, to being successful after football,” Coach Catalon said. “Football has brought me to places that I couldn’t even imagine and helped me share my experiences with the kids.”
Coach Catalon, known as Coach Cat to his students, teaches business and management classes as well as coaching football and baseball.
“[The classroom] affects the balance of being Coach Catalon to Coach Cat,” Coach Catalon said. “Coach Catalon teaches how to manage your money, be respectful and understand how to make money out of high school, and Coach Cat teaches you how to become a man.”
Coach Catalon began his career playing on the Southern University, University of Arkansas and Abilene Christian University football teams before becoming a teacher and coach.
“I wanted to see the new generation of kids coming through Legacy,” Coach Catalon said. “I knew God had a plan for me to come back.”
Coach Catalon served as the wide receiver coach during the football season. His extensive work with coaching began with his family.
“Having two younger siblings has helped me coach,” Coach Catalon said. “[Coaching] has always been natural to me but has made me a better person, always reminding me that life is never about you.”
Members of the football team, such as sophomore Ryan Johnson, feel that Coach Catalon helps them grow into better players.
“Coach Cat has helped me learn things [about football] I’ve never thought of,” Johnson said.
Johnson first met Coach Catalon during his freshman year and feels that Coach Catalon continues to impact him throughout the season.
“[Coach Catalon is] a funny guy that doesn’t space himself from others,” Johnson said. “He’s great to be around.”
Coach Cat impacts students all around the school, working to ensure that he prepares them for the world in high school and beyond.
“I have learned that just like life, football is going to have its ups and downs,” Coach Catalon said. “[Football taught me] how to be strong when adversity hits by standing tall and moving forward.”
