HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Seven years ago when Bryant assistant coach Darrell Burnett took the head coach job at Hot Springs, he knew he was leaving a powerhouse program destined for multiple championships.
He left for the chance to lead a school with a losing record and a need for facility upgrades. At the time he had just two words— challenge accepted.
"It’s just exciting to wake up every day and figure out how you’re going to fix a mistake and get to the level that you know you can get to," Burnett described.
After making the playoffs just three times since 2002, before Burnett’s hiring, he has taken the Trojans to the postseason for four years in a row.
“There’s no longer sneaking up on anyone. No longer low expectations, people are picking you to win and they’re picking you to be highly ranked," he added. "People have high expectations for us and so do we. We must meet those expectations and know our good isn’t good enough until we have some jewelry on."
However, it's not just the expectations on the field but also establishing a belief and sense of honor for the kids who represent Hot Springs High School.
"Here in this area, a lot of people take pride in where they’re from. We’re going to take pride in being from Hot Springs and being Hot Springs Trojans. Representing that black and Vegas gold. Our goal is to prove everyone wrong that doubts us and everyone right that believes in us," Burnett explained.
Maybe the biggest reason Coach Burnett and his staff care so much about the kids is because they used to be in their exact same shoes.
“Most of my coaching staff, we’ve been through a lot, and we’ve seen a lot. We’re a reflection of our kids. [And] we just want to see them leave us and doing something with themselves," he said.
As for the here and now, Coach Burnett said he wouldn’t mind a big win in front of the Hot Springs faithful on Friday night.
“We understand that it’s not okay to lose. I don’t care if it’s by one or it’s by 30. A loss is a loss and it’s always good to win," Burnett added.