For Esrom Martinez, coaching is about more than just on-the-field wins.
"I’m a big culture guy," he said. "We’re going to be a culture driven through core values."
Values like respect, academic excellence, purpose and leadership. This, he says, is the foundation for on-the-field success.
"You’re going to get wins by being successful in the little things in the classroom, your behavior," Martinez said.
And this will help his students have a better chance at being successful beyond graduation.
"When a coach comes in here from a college, he’s not just asking about football," Martinez said. "He wants to know what you look like outside of football."
Waco High has not seen a football playoff game since 2017. In the last seven seasons, the team won no more than three games per season. But Martinez says the foundation is already in place to turn that around.
"I think the kids are here," he said. "We just got to establish the culture."
Before coming to Waco High, Martinez served as assistant football coach for Midway High School. He says that experience has prepared him for the task of turning Waco High’s program around.
"When I was in Midway and we hadn’t won and then we turned it around in five weeks," Martinez said. "I got to see what it looks like when you come in your first year. So I think I’m ahead of the game on that."
Martinez also serves as the new Athletic Director for Waco High. He says he’s excited to work across both boys and girls sports.
"Most people know I’m a big lovable guy. I love working with kids because that’s our job at the end of the day, whether it’s boys or girls.," he said.
Martinez’s first day is February 18.
