Edward Hawkins wasn't searching for a job when the idea of coaching at Livingston first crossed his mind. Yet, he is now set to lead Lady Lion hoops in the 2025-26 season.
There were extra incentives to take the job. His daughter, Alyssa Fielder, is in her first year of head coaching with the Livingston volleyball team. This will also be his first season as a head coach.
Starting out in Mineola, Hawkins coached volleyball, basketball and track. Then, he moved to Huntsville High about eight years ago for girls basketball and girls track.
"I had the ability to grow and also had accountability in the program," Hawkins said of his years as an assistant. "I got a chance to implement, I got a chance to follow, and had various experiences within the programs.
"I really hadn't explored anything, but my daughter graduated from Sam Houston and ended up getting the volleyball head coaching job (at Livingston). When she got the job, I think they were looking for someone and asked her if she knew someone who may be interested. She threw my name out there, and I had never thought about it, but was like, 'Yeah, I definitely want to give it a shot.'"
The coach said he dug through film to research the Livingston program before taking the job.
"Some things kind of stuck out as positive, so that is how that developed," he said. "I got a chance to interview and was just lucky enough that they selected me to take over the program.
"I watched some stuff on Hudl and just saw a lot of athleticism. It kind of reminded me of Huntsville, where we were at when I first got over there. I saw a lot of similarities on the court. Based on the pieces that I saw, I was pretty impressed."
Hawkins' memories of the Lady Lions are from years the team was a playoff fixture and winning postseason games.
"When I first got to Huntsville, Livingston was really good. We played them and we beat them one time. The second time we played them, we didn't get out of there alive. I have seen them at their top, and that is when they had the Hawkins girls. They were deadly and you had the game plan for them. So, I probably have a perspective that many people don't. Those kids that are here now, some of them probably didn't get a chance to see those teams. Livingston does have a history of winning on the girls side and we are just trying to build that confidence back up."
Hawkins said he wants an aggressive team that plays full court defense once they get on the floor.
"You kind of have to pick your poison when you are building a team, and defense is what we are going to live or die on. We are going to play defense the full length of the court. If you want to get on the other half of the court, you have to prove that you're going to get it there, because we are not going to let you walk it down. Getting a chance to see some of these athletes at the end of last year and also in the summer strength and conditioning, we are going to be ready to rock and roll."
There have been good numbers attending the strength and conditioning programs, according to the coach, and he is excited about many of the multisport athletes. He likes the fact that many of the girls will be in competition year-round. There are also a few that are playing travel ball during the summer.
"We have been working on man-to-man concepts and then our transition game. We are really focusing a lot on layups on the offensive end. One thing I noticed when I watched film from last year, I said, 'Y'all could have won some big games if we would have made layups.' That has nothing to do with who is coaching. That has to do with the ability to focus when the game is heightened, and on that spot on the backboard. Being able to make layups is one of the biggest keys from blowing a game wide open or just closing a game out. If defense is going to be our identity, every time we make a layup, we have a chance to get into our defense. If you miss that layup, we are potentially starting a transition for the other team, which is counterproductive."
Returning starters and those new to the program will all need to show their abilities to get playing time for the upcoming season.
"I have told the kids that I am a believer that you have to be able to prove. There is nothing wrong with that, that is just in life. If you go out and get a job or just interview, I would have to prove that I am better than the next person that is interviewing. I just told my girls that I am big on competition. Just because you were on varsity last year doesn't mean you are this year. Just because you weren't on varsity last year doesn't mean you can't be this year. To me, that creates what every good team has. You need that edge where nobody is comfortable. When you get complacency, it is really hard to be tough.
"Coming from a championship program where that was what we are measured by, I told the girls that this will be what we are measured by. Playing for the district championship, that is the first one. After that, it is being able to go three rounds (in the playoffs). Those are the goals and we have to set those goals. It is shifting their mind from, ‘We didn't make the playoffs last year,' to now, 'He is expecting us to be champions.' It is my job to get them there. I can't guarantee wins, but if we stay competitive the way I think we can, we will be in the mix. We have the pieces to go now. I am excited to bring the style of ball that the fan base and the school will appreciate."
Hawkins will also be the head girls track coach, where he will have the ability to coach alongside his daughter. He will teach physical education.
