Football season is fast approaching and this year the UT Permian Basin football team has added some familiar faces to their coaching staff. Three former players, Matt Zubiate, Kenny Hrncir, and Hayden Kelly have turned in their shoulder pads for whistles. 

"Football has always been part of my life and the thing I loved the most, until I had my daughter of course," said Assistant Defensive line coach, Matt Zubiate on why he decided to get into coaching.  

"Like Zubi said, football is all I've ever known, and both of my parents are coaches. I come from a competitive family, so I think coaching gives you that competitive kick. You're still going through the film with all the guys and it's as close to playing as you can get," said Kenny Hrncir, passing game coordinator and quarterback's coach. 

Similar to his teammates, linebacker's coach Hayden Kelly also decided to get into coaching due to his love of the game. "I've done it for so long that I can't see myself doing anything else."  

While it is never easy when you start a new career, Zubiate, Hrncir, and Kelly will have the benefit of not starting completely from scratch. The players turned coaches know first-hand about the #FAMILLY and winning culture Head Football Coach Kris McCullough has built. "It feels good to start my coaching career off here," said Kelly. "I've been here for five years and I'm excited to get the opportunity to be here another year."   

"To go straight from playing to coaching, it's honestly an honor an opportunity that not everyone has" said Zubiate. "It's a big role to be in charge of a position group this season. I'm ready for the challenge and I'm excited." 

"I think it's a great start because you still know these players on a personal level and just being at a place you've been at, I think is a huge help for us to get started," said Hrncir.  

It will be exciting to watch what Zubiate, Hrncir, and Kelly will accomplish in their first year of coaching. The coaches say they are focused on doing whatever it takes to help the players accomplish their own goals and they're ready to continue to grow after the success of last season. 

"We are blessed with a lot of talented guys that are coming back. We had a great season last year with the conference championship, so the goals are even higher this year," said Hrncir. "We want to go win another one and make a run in the playoffs.   

"In my first year as a coach, I want to have my first winning season, help my position group have their best season in their career, and help the team win another Lone Star Conference championship," said Zubiate. "To have a championship as a player is one thing, but to have it as a coach is a big one because you are inspiring guys to play for one another."  

"I'm coaching the linebacker's so that's where my goals are geared towards," said Kelly. "I want them to do great and I'm going to do everything I can to help them achieve their dreams and get the awards they want to get. Also, I want to continue to win games."  

Zubiate, Hrncir, and Kelly will take the field for the first time as coaches in 77 days. After getting some experience under them, they all have hopes to be head coaches one day. "I think as a coach it is always your goal to be the top guy," said Zubiate. "But at the same time, you have to be a sponge and absorb everything around you before you get to that point. Same thing you have to do when you come in as a freshman." 

"I want to stay in coaching, that's what I want to do for a living and obviously I want to work my way up to being a head coach," said Kelly.  

"Zubi has a great point. I think eventually it's everyone's goal to run their own program. But, right now, it's about focusing on how we can do to get better and how we can learn each year," said Hrncir. "We are the rookies on the coaching staff and need to just learn from the other coaches and see where it takes us." 

The Falcons will kick their season off at home, hosting Western New Mexico on August 31 at Ratliff Stadium.