Larry Hill, the architect of the Smithson Valley Rangers’ back-to-back state championships and a coach just one win shy of the Greater San Antonio all-time record, nearly walked away from the job that turned him into a legend. Since 1993, Hill has transformed Smithson Valley into a bona fide high school football juggernaut, reeling off wins in historic proportions, but it was far from an easy decision for him to take the reins.
He Said No. Then What?
It’s wild to think about, but Hill wasn’t even the first choice to replace Joe Matulich after the 1992 season. When the school’s preferred successor backed out, the offer landed on Hill’s desk. And honestly, Smithson Valley was a mess. The Rangers had zero history of success, seriously. We’re talking never made the playoffs, never had a winning season since the program started way back in 1976. Matulich’s final year, 1992, saw them go 1-9, scoring a measly 100 points all season. On top of that, when Hill met with Comal ISD brass, the school didn’t even have a principal or superintendent in place. “I had more questions than answers,” Hill admitted. “I really didn’t know if I wanted it, but it appeared as though I could get it. I did a little more research. It didn’t look like a great job, but it was a job that I knew I could apparently get. Did I want to take a leap of faith?” He was apprehensive, questioning if he wanted to take that “leap of faith.”
The Real MVP: His Dad
Hill was eager to be a head coach again, no doubt. He’d spent two seasons at Jourdanton from 1989-90, going 10-11 with one playoff appearance, before stepping down to become an assistant at Clark under Mike Robbins for three years. He wanted that top spot back. But Smithson Valley? That was a tough sell. The whole situation got cleared up by one voice, though: his dad, Glenn Hill Sr., who had coached him at East Central. “Take the job,” his father told him. And just like that, the doubt evaporated. “I don’t know how y’all’s is, but if my dad says something, that’s what we’re doing,” Hill said. That’s it. Two words from his father, and the path to a dynasty was set.
A Legacy Built on Trust
Talk about a good call! Offensive line coach Robert Teuton, who had been with the Rangers for four years before Hill arrived, put it perfectly: taking that job was “the best thing that’s ever happened.” Hill even retained Teuton and defensive coordinator Craig Wersterfer from the previous staff, a move that speaks volumes about his leadership. They’ve stayed put, a testament to the culture Hill built. Fast forward to today, and Hill is sitting at 342 career wins, just one away from tying Jim Streety’s legendary record in Greater San Antonio. Streety coached for 40 years, retiring in 2014, and Hill is right there, poised to match him. Brandon Parrott, a receiver for Hill’s first Rangers team in 1993, nailed it: “There’s nobody that’s had a greater impact on the Smithson Valley community than Larry Hill.” This Friday’s game at Manor isn’t just another game, it’s a chance for Hill to etch his name even further into the history books, all thanks to a decision that almost didn’t happen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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