When Denny Peel became head football coach at Fox Tech High School in 1995, he figured he would stay for a few years and then move on to another job. That’s just the nature of his profession, especially if you’re a coach at an inner-city school with a declining enrollment.
But Peel never left. In fact, he will have the distinction of being the Buffaloes’ last head coach.
San Antonio Independent School District officials announced Tuesday that Tech will drop football after this season as it makes the transition to a magnet school next year, leaving Peel without a job and a big hole in his heart.
Saturday’s Chili Bowl matchup against rival Lanier could be the last for Tech unless it earns a playoff spot on the final night of the regular season. An Edison loss to Jefferson on Friday night, coupled with a Buffaloes victory in the Chili Bowl, would propel Tech to the playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
But as he watched practice Wednesday afternoon, Peel didn’t talk about the playoffs or what life without the Buffaloes will mean to him personally.
A cancer survivor, Peel has learned that saying every day is a gift is not cliché. It’s the truth.
Life is precious and too often we take it for granted as we hustle through our daily routine.
“I don’t think God put me here to make a difference in these kids’ lives,” he said. “He put me here to save me.”
With all due respect, Denny, you have made a difference. A profound difference. And that will be your legacy, sir, not how many games your teams won or how many times they advanced to the playoffs.
“Coach Peel never gave up on the program,” said former Tech wide receiver/defensive back Lionel Williams, who was at Wednesday’s workout. “He changed a lot of kids from bad to good, kept them off the streets by caring about them. He’s like a father to us.
“You want to play for him because of his spirit. He cares for you as a person, not just a football player. You can’t just be a coach. You have to be a like a father, especially to the kids in this area.”
Junior defensive tackle John Manjarrez was succinct when he was asked about Peel’s influence.
“I would follow that man anywhere,” he said.
Characteristically an upbeat guy with a great sense of humor, Peel has set the tone for his team in the wake of this week’s bombshell announcement by remaining positive.
“It’s been a heck of a ride,” he said, smiling. “I’m sure it might be a little emotional for me Saturday, but I’m so thankful to God that I decided to stay at Tech. I love these kids and I’ll never forget them. It’s tough right now, but every day is going to get better.
“It’s been special to coach here. I know people are sad that Tech is changing, but it’s starting another journey that should be exciting.”
Peel’s commitment to his team was never more evident than late last season when he was on the sideline for the Chili Bowl – five days after having his cancerous left kidney removed.
“My wife (Liz) is still mad at me about that,” he said, chuckling. “That was pretty stupid, but I just felt I had to be there.”
Peel, 57, was in so much pain by the end of the second quarter that he went back home at halftime.
“We were pretty much in control by then,” Peel said, sounding as though he would have stayed if Lanier had been ahead. Tech won the game 48-14 to finish in a tie for second in District 28-4A.
The Buffs have gone 67-75 and made the playoffs eight times under Peel, who is completing his 15th season at the downtown campus on Main Avenue.
While Peel’s record is eight games under .500, the only stats that matter are the scores of kids he helped guide while fighting tough odds each season.
Try as they may to remain positive, the Buffs still are hurting about the loss of their football program. That’s natural. Kids are resilient but their hearts ache, too, when something that has meant so much to them is taken away.
“I grew up wanting to play for Fox Tech and playing in the Chili Bowl,” said Manjarrez, whose father, Daniel, played football for the Buffs in the late 1980s. “It’s sad that this will be the last Chili Bowl and maybe our last game. It’s going to be bittersweet. I’m going to be proud to play in the last Chili Bowl, but I’ll be sad, too.”
While wide receiver Gregory Mackey said he is glad he’ll get a chance to play in one more Chili Bowl before he graduates, he expressed disappointment that the game, as well as the Tech football program, will fade into history.
“It’s still shocking,” Mackey said. “All of us wanted to come back after we graduate and watch the Chili Bowl, just like a lot of ex-players have done for years. The Chili Bowl means the world to all of us.”
Like many of his teammates, senior quarterback Mark Morales started going to Tech football games when he was a toddler. His father, Mark Morales Sr., played quarterback for the Buffs in the late 1990s.
“I can’t believe Tech won’t have football anymore, but I think it’s best for the school,” Morales Jr. said. “The numbers just aren’t there. I grew up going to the Chili Bowl, so I’m glad I’m going to have a chance to play in the last one.”
Earlier, I asked Peel what it’s been like to coach at a school surrounded by all the hustle and bustle of downtown.
He looked around and smiled before responding.
“It’s been beautiful,” he said, looking to the south and pointing. “I’ve had a chance to see the skyline of San Antonio every day I’m out here. It’s been beautiful.”
With that said, Peel walked away and lightly scolded a player for poor technique on pass coverage. That’s Peel, coaching until the end.
