BROOKINGS — Brookings High School has selected a new head football coach from within.

High school social studies teacher Carter Gordon has accepted the top job, pending school board approval. He is a former Bobcat who graduated from BHS in 2015 after playing varsity quarterback for two seasons.

“I grew up in Brookings, went K-12 all the way through,” he said. “When I was little I wanted to play for the Bobcats because my older sister played sports all the way through. … I started youth football in third grade, just like everyone does. That wasn’t the start of my love of football, but it definitely helped. I knew nothing but Brookings, this school system and the Bobcats growing up. I am very fortunate and honored to be in this position — coaching a team that I love.”

He’s been teaching in Brookings for two years while also serving as assistant offensive coordinator for the Bobcats. Prior to that, he taught and served as offensive coordinator at Deuel High School.

“I truly enjoyed my time being a Bobcat football player and tried to learn as much as I could from all the different coaches I had,” Gordon said. “That was forever ago, but I’ve learned a lot since then. I was fortunate enough to be in Clear Lake with their program, and I learned a lot there. This job — coaching football in general — is just always changing, so you have to be learning and adapting.”

While at Brookings, he also helped coached JV football and said that program is strong.

“We have some guys from JV last year that had an outstanding season … and are going to get some important time on varsity this year,” Gordon said. “It’s a good group of kids we’ve got. We do graduate some pretty important players from last year, but the junior class is big and talented. They’re going to step in and take over. I’m looking forward to what this group can do.”

He wants to emphasize fundamentals and attention to detail.

“When it comes to teaching, I can’t go through whatever unit we’re on without being as detailed as possible. And that translates to how I coach,” Gordon said. “That’s our whole coaching staff, too. Ty Schneider on defense, for example, is insanely meticulous when it comes to the details of his defense. That’s something that we’re not new to, which is good. In order to teach the guys the game, you’ve got to prepare them for what could happen.”

He said he’s already heard from several players.

“I have more than a fair majority of them in class,” Gordon said. “They’ve reached out to me already about, ‘What does our summer schedule look like? Where are we going for team camp? Are we going to have a scrimmage against someone this summer?’ This incoming senior class in particular, they really do love the game. They are just ready to get rolling.”

He said practice starts soon.

“First practice is going to be the Monday after school gets out,” Gordon said. “We have just a certain amount of contact days with our boys in the summer. We have to use them wisely, and team camps also go into that. We’re going to be going to SDSU’s team camp this summer. Then along with some youth and middle school camps — and freshman camp for our incoming freshmen — it’s going to be a jam packed summer.”

He said the players are familiar with his coaching philosophy.

“You try your best every day,” Gordon said. “There will be faults — because no one’s perfect — but the overall end goal is to be a teacher first and try to lead these boys in the right direction. Hopefully the chips fall where they need to be. Then at the end of the day, we hopefully get to hoist a trophy, right? But every day you have to commit yourself to your goals. It won’t be perfect, but we’re going to make sure it’s as good as it can be.”

He said being a former Bobcat helps him connect with the players.

“It’s me holding this program in such high regard for as long as I have,” Gordon said. “It’s me wanting to contribute to that, and I think the boys understand the Bobcat tradition is important to Brookings.”

He said both the players and the other coaches are eager to get started. 

“I am excited to get going,” Gordon said. “There’s only so much talk you can do about football. You’ve got to put the product on the field. I want the community to know our boys are ready to roll. They have confidence in themselves, and that is huge. We’re going to — as a coaching staff — try to put the pieces in the right spots to make something special happen this season.”

Gordon replaces Brady Clark who resigned as coach in February. Clark took over coaching duties from Lee Schmidt in 2020. Schmidt — who replaced longtime coach Gary Maffett — coached the Bobcats for seven seasons. 

The Bobcat football team ended last season with an 8-3 record. 

Contact Jay Roe at jroe@brookingsregister.com.