Every decade or so, a special athlete makes their mark in the sports world. In the 90s, Dripping Springs' Tony Salazar was that person for Tiger athletics. He would make his impact on Tiger football in his freshman year of 1996.
Coach Howard Ballard had just become the new DS head coach and was facing a season with the loss of 24 seniors from a team that was a near-miss district champion and a couple of other starters that would miss due to injuries. He was thrown aback when his defensive coordinator, Kelly Broussard came to him early in the workouts and said it looked like they would be starting a freshman on defense. Ballard remarked that no freshman should be able to make the varsity starting squad. That was just unheard of. After watching him practice Ballard changed his mind. He said Oh my gosh! Tony was tremendous and no doubt where he would be when the season started. Not only did his athletic talents stand out but even more impressive was his ability to analyze the situation and know what the opponents intentions were. It was like he had received the play in the huddle and prepared to defend the play perfectly each time. That is just a rare quality for anyone much less a freshman.
Long story short, the 1996 team became the first outright district champion since 1973 with an 8-1 record and lost 6-3 in Area to Hitchcock. Tony would be named first team, All-District on defense. He would be a four-year starter and because of his athletic talents he would be called on to perform on both sides of the ball as well as returns. His skills can be noted as you look through the athletic records and find his name liberally etched in all the categories that could be attributed to his positions. He would also be a three-year starter in basketball and baseball.
After his high school career was over, it surprised many at DS that he was not highly sought after by the larger colleges. Colleges are usually so stuck on size and speed, and do not take into consideration heart and mind. In the end he accepted the opportunity to play for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a Division III school in Belton, Texas that would become a juggernaut among those schools. These schools were not allowed to give athletic scholarships but money could be obtained from various grant programs within the system.
Tony's career at UMHB mirrored that of his high school days. They competed in the American Southwest Conference where they won two conference titles and had a 36-5 record during his stay. He was second team All-Conference on defense his junior year and then really finished off an outstanding collegiate career his senior year. He would be named All-Conference Defense; Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-American. In addition he was selected to play in the Aztec Bowl All-Star game in Cancun, Mexico. He left the school as the career leader in interceptions (11) and third leading tackler. In 2016, UMHB elected him to the school's Hall of Honor.
Tony would remain at UMHB two more years as a graduate assistant coach as he earned his Master's degree. Then he returned to his high school alma mater to become an assistant football coach and further hone his defensive mind. The Tigers were not in a position to move him up in the ranks and encouraged him to make the step up he deserved. After two years (07-09) he sought the promotion and landed at Leander HS where he would spend four seasons (09-13) as the defensive coordinator. The year before Todd Dodge had taken the head job at Marble Falls. He understood the defensive genius of Tony and coaxed him to come to Marble Falls for the 2013 season.
Dodge got the call he was expecting. To become the new Westlake head coach. It did not take any coaxing this time for Tony to move with him. Westlake is one of the plum 6A schools around as their three consecutive state championships imply. Tony's reputation as a defensive genius was only enhanced with this stay and everyone should know championships are not won by the head coach only. He is usually surrounded by quality in coaches and athletes.
Even though Tony had gotten offers for head coaching vacancies elsewhere, he smartly stayed and reaped the rewards of success in his position. After Dodge carried through with his decision to retire after last year, the overwhelming choice to move up and take his place was none other than Tony Salazar. Sometimes when a person has a particular skill set it is difficult to expand their range but they want to find out for themselves. I once read a quotation from an assistant basketball coach that was moved up to head coach. His observation was “ I did not know there was such a differ ence in making a suggestion and making a decision”. There is no doubt that Tony has the mind and has been around enough top head coach minds that this leap will be no big deal and he will fit in nicely to the new role.
Sadly, his parents, Alfredo and Rosemary, will not get to see him perform in person when he makes that debut in August. They unfortunately left this earth much too young. However, Tony has many devoted followers in Dripping Springs to cheer him on as he continues his success journey. All of Tigerland wishes Tony well in every game he coaches except when they are playing the Tigers. Congratulations Tony Salazar for representing Dripping Springs so well.
