Soaring with Eagles
Tracy Kincade enjoys coaching in Rusk
BY LELAND ACKER

When watching Eagle Head Basketball Coach Tracy Kincade on the sideline during a basketball game, one might get the sense that he is doing what he has always wanted to do. That would be because coaching the Rusk Eagles is what Coach Kincade has wanted to do.

"I love it here," Coach Kincade said. "I used to play in summer ball here. I would come down and play, always loved it. I told my wife that I'd love to come here and coach. God blessed. It came open and I was lucky enough to get the position."

Coach Kincade's journey to Rusk actually begins up SH 110 in Troup. A graduate of the Troup High School Class of 1991, Coach Kincade played three years of varsity basketball for Coach Leland Hand's Tigers, making it to the state tournament all three years.

"It was an amazing thing," he said. "It's like what you'd see on Friday Night Lights, every store was closed, everyone was at the gym. It was a packed gym. Troup went eight years without losing a home game."

Troup made it to the state finals in 1990 and 1991.

"It was an awesome experience, being ranked number one for most of my career (in Troup)," he said.

Rusk l Head Basketball Coach Tracy Kincade observes his team's performance during a recent game against Crockett. Kincade, who is in his second year as the Eagles' coach, says coaching in Rusk is something he has always wanted to do. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

Coach Kincade graduated from Troup and played college basketball at Iowa Wesleyan University. After college, he coached for eight years in Iowa before returning to Texas to coach basketball at Stewart Middle School in 2002. From there, Coach Kincade coached boys varsity basketball in Mt. Pleasant and girls varsity basketball in Kilgore. He came to Rusk over the summer of 2006, being hired as Rusk Athletic Director Wayne Mahaffey was having to replace his entire coaching staff, with the exception of Wayne Larson, who went on to retire in May 2007.

The Rusk Eagles play in one of the toughest basketball districts in Texas, with teams like Crockett dominating and traditional powerhouses like Carthage, Hudson and Central vying for playoff spots.

Rusk Head Basketball Coach Tracy Kincade checks the scoreboard during a timeout in Friday's Crockett game. Coach Kincade said he enjoys working with the players.

"It's tough," he said. "It lets you know where you are as a coach and where your play- ers are. You have to bring it every night, you don't get any nights off."

One of the joys of coaching in Rusk is the athletes, Coach Kincade said.

"There are tons of athletes every year," he said. "You can always be in games if you play hard and compete.

"I stay on them. I want them to act right and give everything they have on the court."

Visitors to the popular Web site, Smoaky.com, are quick to criticize the Rusk Eagles for player conduct. Coach Kincade addressed Rusk's reputation for a lack of discipline.

"The discipline in Rusk is like any other school," he said, explaining that one or two may misbehave. "It seems like when we do it, everyone wants to put it out there. The kids are wonderful. They'll run through a brick wall for you, if you show them you care."

Player discipline is a goal Coach Kincade is constantly working toward, in addition to winning the state championship and the district title. He said he enjoys coaching because he gets to be a second father-figure to the players who wear the Eagle uniform.

"I love reaching out to the kids," he said. "Some come from single-parent homes. I get to be a father-figure to them. I love that part."

Coach Kincade's future aspirations involve building a successful program in Rusk. He said he wants to lead the Eagles to victory as they open up the new gymnasium next season.

"My future aspirations are to stay in Rusk and be an Eagle as long as I can," he said. "I want to take them to state."

Coach Kincade is the head basketball coach, seventhgrade football coach, varsity wide receivers coach and assistant track coach at Rusk.