Skip To Main Content

Henderson State University Athletics

Events and Results

calendar
See Composite Calendar
Paul Calley

Football Troy Mitchell

RELATIONSHIPS DEVELOPED AT HENDERSON HAVE LED TO SUCCESS FOR BRYANT’S PAUL CALLEY

In nearly 10 seasons as head coach at Bryant High School, Paul Calley has earned numerous awards recognizing him for his achievements. However, Calley credits the people at his alma mater for his success.

“Henderson State University is very special to me and I learned so much while I was there,” said Calley. “I owe my success to former teachers, coaches, and teammates that taught me how important these things were, and I try to instill these characteristics into all my players.”

One of the most vital lessons Calley learned while at HSU was knowing that people care about you, not just as an athlete, but as a person.

“I felt loved during my time at HSU and realized after my playing career was over, that the love didn't end when I was done playing football,” Calley said. “I do my best to show my players the same type of caring attitude, and in return, I hope to get their best in the classroom and on the field every day.”

Calley came to Henderson State in 1987 and was a four-year starter as the Reddie center. A 1991 First-Team All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference selection, Calley was part of an offensive line that included All-Americans Tony Gant, Todd Jones and Dave Vandersloot.

“Coach Sporty Carpenter gave me a chance to play at HSU and I will be forever grateful,” Calley said. “At first, I didn't uphold my end of the bargain but he never gave up on me. He made me tough and mean, and that's the only reason I experienced any success on the field. His style of coaching made me hate him and love him all at the same time. The three years I spent with him were the toughest, most wonderful years of my life and it made me a better man. I would have to say that my coaching style is much like Coach Carpenter's.”

Following his sophomore season and after the passing of Coach Carpenter, Ken Turner took over as Henderson's head coach and Calley didn't know how the change would affect him.

“I wasn't the biggest or the best player on the team, and Coach Turner knew this,” said Calley. “However, he knew how to push my buttons and motivate me to do things on the field that I didn't think I was capable. It was very hard on me, but looking back now, I realize he was just trying to make me better.”

But it wasn't Turner who Calley had to impress. It was offensive line coach Perry Goodell. Goodell was a tough and intimidating figure who had a lasting impression on his players.

“Coach Goodell didn't ask his players to do anything he wouldn't do,” Calley said. “He was with us in the weight room lifting weights and doing leg lifts and I always admired and also hated him. Goodell could also demonstrate a drive block without a helmet. This led to a few scars on his forehead, and it left a lasting impression on a future coach. Even though I'm old now and feel the pain, I still do all these things with my players. He taught me so much about fundamentals, leadership, the game of football and the game of life.”

Calley earned his bachelors of science in education with a minor in social science in 1992.

In 1993, he joined the work force getting his first job at Bryant Junior High School as defensive coordinator.

“Coach Goodell had a huge influence on me getting hired at Bryant,” said Calley. “He had worked with Tom Farmer who was the head coach at Bryant at the time. Goodell called me and said he had a job for me at Bryant. He told me they hadn't had much success over the years but the school was a “sleeping giant.” He was correct! I've spent my entire career there.”

Calley moved up to the high school in 1994 and served as an assistant coach until 2002, including being the Hornets' offensive coordinator from 1999 to 2002.

Calley, however, nearly left Bryant in 1999. That summer, he was offered the offensive coordinator's job at Benton High School. He initially accepted the position, but five days later Coach Daryl Patton offered Calley the same position at Bryant.

“Benton had a traditionally strong program and Bryant was a perennial doormat,” said Calley. “Benton had beaten Bryant 14 straight times and most everyone believed that Bryant would never beat Benton. I too was convinced. After never beating them in anything for six years, I was ready to jump to the other side. After accepting the job at Benton, I really wasn't comfortable with the decision. Thankfully, Coach Patton came to me and offered me the O.C. job to keep me at Bryant and I declined the job at Benton.”

The Hornets went through a difficult year in Patton's first season as head coach with Bryant finishing 3-7.

The following year, Patton promoted Calley to offensive coordinator. The Hornets finished the season 11-1 and advanced to the state playoffs.

“I really felt we were turning things around,” said Calley. “It was a magical year. We went on to lose to the eventual state champion in the playoffs, but I feel had we been a little more seasoned as coaches, we would have won it all.”

In 2000, the game between Benton and Bryant became known as the Salt Bowl. Today it has become one of the biggest high school rivalries in the state. Since the inception of the Salt Bowl, Bryant has compiled a 10-1-1 record.

After the 2002 season, Patton handed over the head coaching reins over to Calley.

“Coach Patton told me these two things before he left for Fayetteville,” said Calley. “'Whatever you do, don't let your wife sit in the home stands when you get to be the head coach because if she cares about you at all, somebody will have to break up a fist fight.' This only happened twice in my first three years. Now my wife sits in the end zone. He also said, 'When something bad happens, I don't care what you hear people call you, don't turn around to see who it is, get someone else to.'”

Since taking over at Bryant, Calley's teams have combined for a 70-30-3 record, have advanced to the state playoffs every year and have won four conference championships.

In 2004, Calley was named 5A Central Coach of the Year, Fearless Friday 5A Coach of the Year, and earned the HSU Sporty Carpenter Award. He again was tabbed 7A Central Coach of the Year in 2007. Calley was also a 2006 and 2008 Hooten's State Farm Coach of the Year finalist.

Last season, the Hornets finished the year with an 8-3 record and a 6-1 mark in conference play. He was named 7A Central Conference Coach of the Year, Hooten's Farm Bureau 6A/7A Coach of the Year, and was a KATV Coleman Dairy Coach of the Year finalist.

“I learned several things while at Henderson that has led me to the success here at Bryant,” said Calley.  “The most important things were work ethic, commitment, character, and developing relationships. I wasn't the most gifted athlete, but our coaches taught us that we could overcome a lack of size and athleticism through hard work and a commitment to be the best that we could be.”

Calley also realized early on how important character was in developing relationships with his teammates as well as others.

“When your teammates respect, trust, and believe in you, an unbreakable bond is formed and there is nothing that can't be accomplished,” he said.

Calley's main goal as a coach has been to develop quality young men and teach them his philosophy as well as challenge them to develop the heart to overcome adversity, things he learned from his coaches at Henderson State.

“Once this is done, what happens on the football field will take care of itself,” said Calley. “We set goals for our team during the season, but our main focus is on being successful, productive citizens when they get out of high school, get jobs and become husbands and fathers. We try and teach them that there are other things in life besides football, even though most of them can't see that far ahead, it will be useful someday.”

As a coach, Calley finds it rewarding seeing a player set a goal and accomplishing it, and knowing that he played a small part in his success.

“Job titles do not matter to me, happiness and success does,” said Calley. “I have coached nuclear scientists, doctors, dentists, and lawyers. As well as teachers, plumbers, electricians, car salesmen, and waste disposal experts. If they are happy and can provide for themselves and their families, I am proud of them. It makes it so special after years have passed and they come back and say thank you. That's all the motivation I need to keep going.”

When not on the gridiron, Calley enjoys spending time fishing.

“I like to take former players fishing,” said Calley. “One such former player is Jimi Easterling who is a student assistant coach at Henderson. I enjoy showing him the secrets to catching largemouth bass.”

Calley and his wife, Laryssa were married on July 4, 1991, just prior to his senior year at Henderson. Daughter Kenzee, 20, is a junior at Henderson State and is a Reddie cheerleader and member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, while his son Kurt, 16, will be a junior at Bryant and plays football.
“I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family who supports me,” said Calley. “As a coach, you spend a lot of time away from the family. We make it work and always make sure we set aside time to be with each other. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
Print Friendly Version