A former four-year varsity football player has returned to Lampasas to start coaching at the middle school level.
Case Brister was a high-level linebacker and running back for the Badgers during his time on the football field. After leaving town for school at Angelo State University, he has made his way back to fill a hole on the Lampasas Middle School staff that opened just a few weeks ago.
Brister joins his parents, athletic trainer Jan Brister and coach David Brister, on the Lampasas ISD staff. He said Tuesday morning that he is excited to get started.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Brister said. “I’m pumped about it.”
The former Badger added that this job move wasn’t necessarily something he planned, but when the opportunity presented itself he interviewed and got the job.
Brister will coach football, along with basketball and track while teaching physical education.
“I wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else,” he said. “This is where I grew up. I’ve lived here my entire life, and coming back and coaching here is awesome. I know the program … I don’t want to be anywhere else, and I’m excited about being here.”
The young coach will have to find himself in the job and figure out how he wants to coach. He is looking forward to that discovery.
“Just kind of getting into it and figuring out what kind of coach I’m going to be,” Brister said. “… I’ve never been on this side of the ball before, so I’m excited to be in this position instead of being a player.”
Athletic Director Troy Rogers said the school district got fortunate, with Brister being able to fill the position after a middle school coach left unexpectedly.
“We got really lucky,” Rogers said. “We had a coach leave late and out of the blue and left a PE coaching position. Case just kind of fell in our lap right there.
“With his parents and background and obviously what he was able to accomplish as an athlete in Lampasas, anytime you can get those guys back in front of these young people that’s a big deal,” Rogers said.
He added that the SWAT conditioning program over the summer has created a great opportunity for Brister to get to know the athletes and start building some relationships. He won’t have to jump right in when school starts without anything to build on.
Rogers also said he has seen Brister grow in his comfort level as a coach just in the few weeks he’s been at SWAT.
“I told his parents that just from the first week of working SWAT to now, you can hear him and he’s getting more comfortable and more vocal,” Rogers said. “That’s what you want to see.”
As a player, Brister totaled 188 carries for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 12 receptions for 244 yards and four touchdowns at running back in his senior season. He ended the season with 19 touchdowns and almost 2,000 total yards as the Badgers’ lead back.
As a linebacker, in 43 varsity-career games, Brister made 612 tackles for an average of 14.2 tackles per game. He received All-State recognition in 2019.
He will look to bring some of that experience on the field to the Badger coaching staff in 2025.