EC grad Heard takes Montgomery AD job
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

Contributed Photo Moving Up Clint Heard is stepping down after 14 years of coaching to take the Mongomery athletic director job. Heard graduated from El Campo High School in 1979.

A former Ricebird is stepping down from coaching and taking on a new area in athletics.

Clint Heard, El Campo High School class of 1979, will make the move from head baseball coach to athletic director for Montgomery ISD in June.

"It's something that has always interested me, the business side of athletics," Heard said. "Everybody gets to that stage in their life where you might want to do something a little different and I felt like it would give me the opportunity to make a bigger impact here at Montgomery."

Jim Gibson, superintendent of the Montgomery ISD, which is north of Houston, said he was excited to name Heard to the position.

"Clint brings a wealth of experience in athletic program management," Gibson said. "He has a passion for developing student athletes in all phases of their school experience and has a genuine care for the students in the classroom and in athletic competition."

After graduating from El Campo, Heard went on to play baseball at Texas A&M University, where he became captain. He graduated from the university in 1983.

Heard has been involved in baseball for a long time. His biggest change will be stepping down from coaching. He has led Montgomery's baseball team for the last 14 years.

He was named district and county coach of the year seven times. In January of this year, Heard received the Charlie Maiorana Award from the Recycled Baseball Items Foundation for his stout coaching career.

Heard has a 280-142 career record, six district championships and is leading this year's team into the playoffs.

In his new position, Heard will manage Montgomery's entire athletic program, strictly as an administrator.

"I think it's a decision that every coach comes to in their career," Heard said. "I love the game, the competition and I still love coaching the kids, but I'm kind of at a point in my life where I felt like it was time for me to step out of the coaching ranks.

"I'll just go out there and take the principles and values that I learned from all the men that I played for and coached under and apply it to the athletic program."

Heard is now working with Leonard George, Montgomery's current athletic director, on making a smooth transition into next season. George will retire at the end of the school year.

"He's been a mentor to me," Heard said. "He's handling things and handing off some duties to me that pertain to next year. I'm still teaching my U.S. History class and we're still playing baseball right now.

"Coach George, he's been doing it 41 years, he's got things running really well. We make sure that we meet or talk every day. He gives me guidance and his opinion on things and we just make decisions from there."

There are several aspects of coaching Heard said he will miss, but one stood out over the long list.

"I'd say the other coaches," he said. "That's one thing that I've always enjoyed, my relationship with the other coaches as a coach. Now, as an athletic director, you kind of have to step out of being one of the guys. Now, you're the boss.

"I love the competition and that's one thing I think athletic adds so much value to a young man or woman's educational experience. I really enjoyed the competition, matching wits, putting teams together and watching teams grow."