Bastrop's Steve Mayberry: a coach for all seasons

Steve Mayberry works on a drill with running back LaDainian Merino in practice

By Jim Irish

Photos by Chris White and Jim Irish

Thirty-one years.

Bastrop coach Steve Mayberry has retired after more than three decades at the high school.

When Mayberry arrived in Bastrop in 1994 from Ricardo, Texas, Bill Clinton was in his first year as president of the United States. The national average for a gallon of gasoline was a mere $1.11.

Fast forward to 2025, Mayberry served under six Bastrop head football coaches (in chronological order): Jay McCarty, David Halbrook, Ron Schroeder, Gerald Perry, Todd Patmon, and Jake Griedl.

In an era during which coaches are hired to be fired, Mayberry survived six regimes.

"I've never been reassigned. I'm leaving on my own terms. That's a blessing."

-- Steve Mayberry

"I’ve never been reassigned,” said Mayberry, the fifth of eight children raised in Kenedy, Texas. "I’m leaving on my own terms. That’s a blessing.

"When you’ve been doing it as long as I’ve been, you just do your job. You do it for the kids, for the love of it.”

Current head coach Griedl is amazed at Mayberry’s longevity in Bear country.

"That’s a testament to him,” Griedl said. "I’ve been around it long enough to know that a lot of times when a new head coach comes in, he brings all his own people. Bastrop coaches said, ‘We’ve got to keep this guy.’ That speaks volumes.“

Griedl said he made an effort to persuade Mayberry to remain, particularly after an undefeated district season and a bi-district victory in 2024.

"... He's done his time. He's leaving it better than he found it. We appreciate his service, his legacy."

-- Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl about Steve Mayberry

"He’s ready (to retire),” Griedl said. "He’s done his time. He’s leaving it better than he found it. We appreciate his service, his legacy.

"He wants to spend time with his family, kids. He’s given this community and these kids 31 years. It’s about time that he starts giving his own kids some of that time.”

Wearing sunglasses, Mayberry speaks to John Ruiz (left) and Bryce Cosgrove

A 6-foot-1, 210-pound running back at Texas A&I in Kingsville under Ron Harms, Mayberry, 62, coached and taught physical education for six years at Ricardo after college.

His rookie season at Bastrop wasn’t love at first sight. He told his wife, Cynthia, "You know, babe, I’m going for one year, and after that, I’m getting out of Bastrop. Thirty-one years later, I’m still here. I was young and had to get adjusted.”

He coached outside linebackers his first three seasons at Bastrop before switching to running backs. He has also been the head track coach for 25 seasons. A highlight for Mayberry this season was capturing district track titles by the boys varsity, freshmen, and junior varsity boys and girls. The varsity girls were runners-up.

Best athletes during Mayberry's 31 years

Mayberry named Donovan Henderson the best Bastrop football player during his long tenure. Henderson, 6-foot, 180 pounds, played on varsity for four years from 1994-‘97 and was named an all-state receiver and defensive back, who also returned punts and kickoffs.

"He was quick, elusive,” Mayberry said about Henderson, who played briefly for Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Shortly before transferring to the University of Georgia, Henderson was shot and killed across the railroad tracks in Bastrop, Mayberry said.

His choices for best track athletes are Antwuan Davis, a runner-up in the state 100-meter dash who played cornerback for the University of Texas football team; and LeLe Carter, a state champion in the 200-meter dash who had a stellar track career at Texas A&M.

Patmon, the defensive coordinator before being named head coach for nine seasons, worked with Mayberry for 13 years.

"It was a working relationship that turned into a friendship. ... He's more like a brother to me."

-- Former Bastrop head coach Todd Patmon about Mayberry

"It was a working relationship that turned into a friendship,” said Patmon, who was terminated after two seasons as head coach at Del Valle. "Most coaches become that when you spend that much time together. He’s more like a brother to me.”

Patmon said Mayberry possessed a strong work ethic.

"He worked hard every day,” Patmon said. "It was something that was very joyful to me. We were always kid-centered when you talk about coach Mayberry. He and I saw a lot of things the same way. We tried to pull the best out of every young man.”

Patmon recalled one incident that displayed Mayberry’s dedication before a game at Memorial Stadium against district opponent Brenham on Oct. 25, 2019.

Knocked down but not out

Mayberry had purchased sandwiches at Subway for the athletes’ pre-game meal. As he turned left out of the parking lot onto Highway 95, one car allowed him to exit, but a second car who failed to see him hit him on the driver’s side.

Mayberry and assistant coach Hector Hernandez were both taken to the emergency room by ambulance. Mayberry was responsible for the accident, and his car was totaled.

After 31 years as a Bastrop High School coach, Mayberry still has a smile on his face

Patmon picked up the sandwiches in the car after the accident.

"We were getting focused (in the locker room before the game),” Patmon said. “About 7:05 (p.m.) in walks coach Mayberry. We asked him, ‘What are you doing here?’ “

Mayberry, who was not seriously injured, spent the first quarter in the press box before his wife insisted on taking him home. Hernandez sustained a gash to the eye and remained in the hospital.

"His devotion to that program and school was amazing,” Patmon said.

As it turned out, Bastrop upset Brenham 30-25 that evening behind starting quarterback Desmond Young.

Coaching for Mayberry revolved around encouraging impressionable teenagers.

"Once there, I found out the difference I was making in these kids,” he said. "When you get a kid who doesn’t have a mom or a dad, they look at you as that. They could have gone and done a lot of bad things. But because you convinced them to not quit, they wound up being somebody.

"I've had students say, 'Hey coach, thanks for believing in me.' I had a lot of impact on kids' lives. ..."

-- Mayberry

"I’ve had students say, ‘Hey coach, thanks for believing in me.’ I had an impact on a lot of impact on kids’ lives. I know I had a negative impact on some. Sure, I had more positive than negative impact. You can’t please everybody. If you please everybody, you’re not doing a good job. Do your best and be fair. You’re trying to do your best for every kid.”

Mayberry established many relationships, not just with student-athletes but with teachers, administrators, and coaches.

"I’m going to miss being around all that,” he said. “That’s going to be hard to let go.”

What he won’t miss is the hour commute each way from Cedar Park. Football season required a seven-day, 80-hour week commitment.

”It starts to wear and tear on you,” he admitted.

Mayberry considered being a head coach but decided "I felt like I was happy in the situation I was in.”

Time to travel

This summer, Mayberry plans to visit France and Japan, where daughter, Cytarah, lives with her husband, Ryan, and grandson, Emerson. A son, Stedman, lives in California.

Mayberry has no hobbies other than a desire to travel.

”I’m taking a year break, and after a year, if I feel great, I may get back into coaching,” he said.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas