Rob Shivers was named the new LHS head basketball coach Monday evening. -- Photo reprinted with permission from Texas Coach Magazine To a San Marcos High School algebra teacher, it simply all adds up.

After taking all factors into consideration and weighing all his options, Rob Shivers accepted the job as Lampasas’ new head basketball coach.

With 10 years of experience, including the previous five with San Marcos, where he also taught algebra and accounting, Shivers takes over the position recently vacated by Scott Harrelson.

Despite officially having the job for less than one week, Lampasas’ newest Badger is certain he made the right move.

“I just think it is going to be a good situation for winning,” Shivers said. “That has just been reinforced over the last two weeks [during my visits to Lampasas].

“I really believe in what [LHS Athletic Director] Joey McQueen is doing there and what he is trying to get going.”

Shivers aims to rejuvenate the Badgers’ basketball program following a two-year stretch when the varsity team went 1-19 in district play.

Despite failing to pick up a district victory in 2010, Shivers is positive the Badgers’ record is not indicative of the team’s capabilities and he is ready to begin the rebuilding process.

“It is a challenge, but it is not a challenge I shy away from,” the coach said. “Now, if I didn’t think it was a very good community, if I didn’t think my kids would enjoy the schools and if there weren’t great facilities, I probably wouldn’t like that challenge.

“But with all the factors Lampasas had, I think the challenge is worth it.”

Shivers began his coaching career in 1996 at Boerne where he served as an assistant for four years before taking his first head coaching position at Utopia. In two seasons, Shivers won a pair of district titles, amassing an overall record of 55-8.

In 2002, Shivers took over at Class 5A Brazoswood where he spent three seasons before beginning his tenure at San Marcos in 2005. The Rattlers reached the playoffs four times under Shivers, who was named the 2006 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Region IV-5A Coach of the Year.

While Lampasas struggled against its district, Shivers knows the competition was extremely deep and talented with Lake Travis and Killeen both routinely occupying top 10 spots in the state polls.

“That 1-19 [record] was in a tough, tough district,” Shivers said. “If they did everything right and everything fell together perfectly, they might have been 10-10 or 5-15.”

The Badgers, however, will drop to Class 3A for Shivers’ first year and the coach believes the district relocation, along with dedication, accountability and attention to detail from his players, will provide Lampasas an opportunity to flourish.

“I believe all the variables are there in Lampasas to [create a winning program] or I wouldn’t take the job,” Shivers said.

It just all adds up.