Newspaper hires professional sports writer for the Cougars

IN HIS OWN WORDS...

Well I’m not much for talking about myself but here goes.

My name is Michael Cotton and I grew up in Robertson County in a small farming community called Hammond, 5 miles south of Bremond.

I graduated from High School in Bremond at age 15. I attended Prairie View A&M University and graduated with a degree in Biological Science and Physical Education.

I began my teaching career in the Dallas Independent School District and taught at several Middle Schools where I developed a love for coaching. Having always loved sports growing up, coaching was something I enjoyed because it allowed me to get closer to the kids that I teach.

I eventually landed the Junior High Head Coaching job at Pinkston High School. I coached Jr. High for two years at Pinkston coaching both football and basketball, winning city title in basketball and playing for one in football.

I served as the Varsity Football offensive coordinator and the Varsity head Basketball coach from 1977-2001. I helped Pinkston win two District titles in football and won over 350 games as the Varsity basketball coach including district titles in 5A, 4A, and 3A. My greatest pleasure comes from the number of young men that I helped get scholarships to college while working at Pinkston.

It has always been about the kids and is still today.

Some of my best moments in coaching, were the times I brought my basketball team down to the Waco Optimist Tournament every December and bringing my Dallas Pinkston team down to Marlin to play the Bulldogs and Coach Leo Green, an old friend.

Some older heads from Marlin may remember when we came to Marlin but they were special to me because those were the only times my Mother ever got to watch me coach.

One of those was a Championship over Tyler John Tyler at the Optimist Classic and another was the upset of Number #1 Temple at the same tournament a few years later. I’ve taught AP Biology, Biology, Anatomy, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Life Science and even Practical Law.

I retired from teaching in Dallas in 2002 to move back home after my Mother took sick. I am currently a High School Science teacher at Calvert High School. Also, I am a die hard Dallas Cowboy and Dallas Maverick fan, although I enjoy the way the Golden State Warriors play the game.

During my time as a coach in Dallas, I self published a sports magazine featuring the schools in the Dallas School District for two years. I have always loved to write having written over 100 poems and song lyrics.

However I have always had a love for sports so combining the two seemed a natural fit. I’ve been writing for the Robertson County News for four years now and I thank publisher Dennis Phillips for that opportunity.

I enjoy covering the players who might not see their names in print otherwise. So I look forward with the help of each school’s coaching staff to provide some positive coverage of both the boys and girls athletic programs.