Feb 22, 2012
Van Meter retires as head football coach and AD
January 10, 2012
FRIENDSWOOD — For the past 20 years, Friendswood's Steve Van Meter has been roaming the sideline as the head football coach for the Mustangs. The Friendswood native took over the helm of the Mustangs football program in 1992 after legendary Henry Winston handed Van Meter the keys following 26 years as head coach.
Friendswood won the Class 2A State Championship in 1973. Van Meter was a wide receiver for the ‘Stangs that season as a junior.
Van Meter served under Winston for eight years as an assistant before the torch was passed to a young and imaginative coach who established Friendswood as one of the most innovative offenses across the state of Texas.
In fact, Van Meter's wide-open, high-octane offense became one of the most dreaded offensive nightmares for area defensive coordinators.
The Mustangs have had only two coaches over a 47-year span. It is rare when a local product can return to his alma mater and experience so much success.
But Van Meter has meant more to Friendswood than producing offensvie highlight reels. He has become the face of Friendswood athletics as other sports have fed off the success of the football program and established themselves as state powers including the volleyball, swimming, tennis, baseball, cross country/track, and soccer teams who have made an impact at the state level.
As athletic director, Friendswood won the Lone Star Cup twice for all-around athletic/academic excellence, not just in football.
If you were to look in the dictionary for the definition of role model -- you could very well find a picture of Friendswood head coach Steve Van Meter.
If a young coach was to pattern his life and coaching career after one man -- you would not make a mistake following in the footsteps of Steve Van Meter.
If you were to visit with football coaches around the Houston area and across the state of Texas -- you would not be surprised to hear the name of Steve Van Meter mentioned as one of the great ones.
Under his guidance, the Mustangs have advanced to the playoffs 15 times while winning or sharing five district titles.
In 2010, Van Meter and his Mustangs won their second Class 4A Region III Division I crown out of the past three years while advancing to the 4A Division I state semifinals in 2008 and 2010.
During the most recent three-year run prior to the 2011 season -- Friendswood posted an impressive 34-8 mark.
Unfortunately for the Mustangs this past season, the injury bug took its toll on several key players who were lost for the season in the early goings. But the players were a reflection of the bulldog tenacity of Van Meter and his coaching staff to not give up.
While the Mustangs posted a 4-7 overall mark in 2011, they still advanced to the post-season after getting a sensational 35-34 come-from-behind win over Texas City on the final game of the season to send the 'Stangs to the post-season.
Van Meter, 55, closes out his Friendswood coaching career with a 148-80-1 mark, but doesn't close the door on other opportunities.
"We prayed a lot on this and felt like it was the right time," said Van Meter, who added he may open a quarterback academy in the area or get back into coaching if the right opportunity came along. "The book's not closed. I'm just closing whatever chapter this is - whatever chapter you have when you're 55."
While this chapter of Van Meter's life might be closed, the book of his life is still being written.
Coach Van Meter is married to wife, Lisa, who is a wife, homemaker, mom, grandmother, and volunteer. They have been married for 32 wonderful years August 11, 2011.
They are enjoying their new roles as Papa Coach and Memee.
They have three sons. Zach who is 26-years-old and has been married for two years to wife, Zuney. They are the proud parents of Isabella.
Twins - Brett and Kyle are 25 years of age. They reside in Friendswood after graduating from Texas A&M in May of 2010. They now have Van Meter Allstate Insurance in Friendswood.
A graduate of Sam Houston State University with a B.A.T. degree, Van Meter has been coaching for 28 years - all at Friendswood.