PHS coach retires, leaves legacy of longevity

PHS coach retires, leaves legacy of longevity
Posted on 02/12/2019
This is the image for the news article titled PHS coach retires, leaves legacy of longevity By: Jade Wise
Pasadena ISD Communications



It is the end of an era at Pasadena High School as campus athletic coordinator and head football coach Jeffery Ganske announced that he is hanging up the coaching headset.

Ganske, who has been at the helm of the Mighty Eagles football program for the past 11 years, recently announced the decision to retire from coaching in order to spend more time with his family. 

“Pasadena is a great school with a lot of history and traditions and it has been a pleasure working here,” said Ganske. “I appreciate the district and campus administration, as well as the PHS community, for their continual support of our program during my tenure.”

Climbing the ranks

From the gridiron to the baseball diamond, Ganske has been a fixture in PHS athletics for over 36 years.

PHS Coach Ganske
 Jeffery Ganske finished his coaching career at PHS with 107 games, ranking seventh in PISD history.
 “Most of my life has been about competition and athletics, as both an athlete in high school and college and then later as a coach,” said Ganske. “I’m really going to miss that aspect of coaching, as well as the kids and the PHS staff.”

Ganske, a three-sport athlete at Baytown Lee High, was recruited to play college baseball at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.
 
Following graduation in 1983, PHS hired Ganske to coach the baseball team, where he spent 18 years in the Eagles' dugout before taking on the role of assistant football coach.

He worked his way through the coaching ranks as an assistant, coaching linebackers, receivers and defensive backs before being named defensive coordinator under former PHS head coach Wes Bryant. 

Following Bryant’s retirement in 2008, Ganske was named the new head football coach and campus athletic coordinator – a title he would hold for the next 11 years.

“Every day we strived to instill values like teamwork, discipline and integrity and things that would help students be successful after high school,” said Ganske. “Even though our success has not always been what I, as a coach, would have liked it to be in the win and loss columns, we always tried to make a difference in the lives of students.” 

Ganske broke the news of his retirement to the team after an offseason workout session. 

“The reactions were mixed, most were happy for me but some were sad to see me go,” said Ganske. 

A history of longevity 

Ganske completed his coaching career with a victory over the rival Sam Rayburn Texans in his 107th game on the Eagles' sideline – ranking him for the seventh most games coached by a Pasadena ISD head football coach.

Only former PISD coaches Bob Barfield, Charles Lyles, Ray Cleckler, Buzzy Kieth, Sam Sailer and Ray Ward have a longevity greater than Ganske.

“I feel like Pasadena was always the right spot for my career,” said Ganske. “There were a couple of times during my career where I had the opportunity to leave, but I always ended up deciding to stay and that choice has always been a great decision for me.”



Ganske discusses with referees photo
PHS Head Coach Jeffrey Ganske (center) confers with referees during a game at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Ganske recently announced his decision to retire from coaching to spend more time with his family.