Hanson announces retirement from ECS, takes next step in coaching career

After more than 25 years in the Enterprise City Schools system, EHS physical education teacher and assistant football coach Buck Hanson is ready to take the advice he has freely given to Wildcats.

"I base most of my decisions on my family," Hanson said. "Now (my children are) in school so it's time I guess I take some of the advice I've been giving kids for 28 years around here. Don't be afraid to dream."

Hanson announced his retirement from the system where his football dream began while he watched the Wildcats play.

"Those guys were my heroes growing up, those players," he said. "I can remember those high school players, and watching them run down that hill at Bates Memorial (Stadium). I get emotional talking about it now. I wanted to be like that."

When his time to don Enterprise's blue jersey came, Hanson helped the football program to new heights in 1979 as a member of the school's first state championship team and learned many of the life lessons he still uses in coaching today.

"Have a lot of belief," he said. "Believe you're doing the right thing. Go out every day and have a plan to improve. Very seldom were there many games we played around here or at Troy we felt like we were going to lose. That was instilled by our coaches, and hopefully I can take that wherever I go."

The 1981 EHS graduate and member of the 1984 national championship team at Troy State University will begin the next chapter of his coaching career as quarterbacks coach at Clinton Mississippi's Clinton High School.

"I've been here all of my life. I've never known anywhere but Enterprise and Troy," Hanson said. "At some point in time in a man's life, he just feels like he needs to try something else. God has led me in that direction. This is truly a decision made on faith. I do want to go out, try something else at another place and continue what I'm doing. I don't want to do anything but coach." 

The Enterprise football staff is well aware of Hanson's coaching ability, and understands the decision to leave EHS was a difficult one.

"You get to a point in your life and in your career where you've got to make tough decisions. Buck's an excellent coach, and he has his years in in Alabama," Enterprise football coach David Faulkner said. "When you're that good of a coach you're going to get opportunities, and he's got himself in a situation financially where he can't turn it down. We all respect that. We hate he's not going to be here with us any longer, but he got an opportunity he couldn't turn down."

Faulkner, who has coached the Wildcats since the 2012 season, noted Hanson's impact.

"Buck has meant a tremendous amount to the program. He's a Wildcat, and has been since the day he was born," Faulkner said. "He brings that love and passion for Enterprise, not just Enterprise football but everything Enterprise. When you go to work with a guy (who) cares that much about it and has dedicated his life to it, it's very difficult not to get some of that and have that same passion yourself."

Hanson's passion sprouted from preparation, which has stood the test of time at Enterprise.

"We always felt like we were very prepared, and nobody was going to out-prepare us," he said. "That's something I've learned, some of the life lessons. Coach (Bill) Bacon had that (quote) on the wall, 'The will to win means nothing. The will to prepare to win means everything.' It's over the weight room in there. We brought that from the old school, and it holds true today. I'm going to continue to prepare."

The Wildcats will continue to prepare as well, and Hanson senses the confidence present in the program during his playing days is present with this year's team.

"I think that's back. I feel that around here right now," he said. "I feel like these (players) have bought into what we're selling. This is a very difficult time for me to leave. We've put a lot into this thing, and we always have. I just feel good about this bunch. I've felt good about a bunch of teams, but I think this is going to be a fun year."

Lofty expectations are one reason the EHS graduate believes Enterprise is special.

"I believe the expectations make it such a great place. We expect to put out good kids and successful students," Hanson said. " I had such great experiences growing up here. I wanted my kids to experience those same experiences I had growing up, and create the same relationships with people. There's not a better place to raise a family. I can't say enough about our administration, David and my bosses. They're passionate about what they do, and that's another reason I stayed. I love Enterprise. I'll always love Enterprise, and Enterprise is my home. It's been good to me."