It is a well-known fact that the 3A-1 is one of Arkansas’ most well-rounded and toughest conferences in football. If the fact that two 3A-1 teams battled in the 2022 State Championship game isn’t enough proof of that, then just keep in mind that seven of the conferences’ eight programs have made the State Playoffs in the past two seasons. With such a rough and tumble conference schedule each year, it’s hard for teams to stay consistent in the pecking order. That trend is sure to remain the same as four of the 3A-1s programs will have a new face at the head coaching position going into the 2023 season. With eight total programs in the conference, replacing half of the conference’s coaches could really shake up the 2023 season and the future landscape of the 3A-1.
Hackett, Cedarville, Greenland, and Mansfield all lost their head coaches within a two-week period in late May. Hackett’s head coach, Michael Meador, departed “The Hive” for an offensive coordinator job in Jonesboro. Meador took the Hornets to three State Playoff appearances while earning an overall record of 22-20 in his four-year tenure. The ol’ Jolly Roger flew at half-mast in Cedarville on May 17th as long-time head coach, Max Washausen, announced his move to Prairie Grove to become the Tigers’ new offensive coordinator. Washausen’s 34 wins with the Pirates over seven seasons more than doubled all four of his predecessors combined. Mansfield and Tigers head coach, Tim Cothran, parted ways in late May. Cothran took the Tigers to two State Playoff appearances and finished with a 17-24 overall record in his four years at Mansfield. Although his record was on the low side, Cothran still ended his career with the Tigers as the second-winningest coach in Mansfield in twenty years. Cothran has now found a new home as the Russellville Cyclones’ running backs coach. And lastly, Greenland’s head coach, Lee Larkan, who had the longest tenure as a head coach in the 3A-1, set sail for the sunset of retirement.
Going into the spring, all four programs had the potential to compete well in the 3A-1 for the upcoming 2023 season. Hackett and Cedarville had a rough go at it in 2022 with injuries and lack of experience being a factor, but both looked like they could open up the scoreboard at any moment toward the end of last season and will have multiple returning players heading into spring and summer practices. Mansfield lost 13 seniors after the 2022 season but maintained plenty of their offensive skill positions and most of their starters on defense. The Tigers will also have a very talented upcoming sophomore group with the numbers to help make up for what was lost. Greenland has been a steady contender for the conference title and State Playoffs for many seasons and was primed to make another run at success in 2023.
It didn’t take too long for these programs to fill their head coaching positions though. Hackett rounded up former Hackett graduate and Lincoln Wolves offensive coordinator, Mason Wann. Cedarville was able to reel in a solid coach also by getting offensive coordinator, Spencer Adams, from Barton. Mansfield scored Booneville JR High head coach and Tiger graduate, Whit Overton. Lastly, Greenland found their treasure with former Gentry defensive coordinator, Cody Napier. With new coaches come new game plans for a new era in the programs. Things on either side of the ball may change a lot or just a little, but a change in each of the program’s landscapes will still come, nonetheless. Although change will always be inevitable, the players in these football programs will have to stick together and be willing to buy into whatever direction their new coaches lead them. That shouldn’t be a problem though as each of these teams are hungry for success and have new leaders that are looking to make their mark in the ever-powerful 3A-1 conference.
The loss of a head coach though can turn even the best programs over on their head. Players grow a bond with their coaches and already know what to expect each and every day they suit up. But a change in leadership is something these young men will face their entire lives so the adjustment of a new coach is merely an early life lesson for their future. Immediate success with a new coach is always the desire of players and fans alike, but patience will have to be key with the newfound coaches as it tends to take time for a program to grow out of the old and into the new. The old saying is that you have to give a coach three years to develop his own program and by the fourth year, you’ll pretty much know what the future holds. Until that time comes, the coaches and players alike in Mansfield, Hackett, Greenland, and Cedarville will continue to work hard and move forward with their goals of success in the 3A-1 in 2023.
