Full Circle: Former Silsbee Athletes Return as Coaches Under the Man Who Coached Them

August 26, 2026 - When Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Randy Smith first arrived at Silsbee ISD more than a decade ago, Darshon Turk, Morgan Robberts, and Rueben Hatton were among the very first generation of young athletes to play under his leadership.

Now, the story has come full circle. All three former Tigers have returned to their alma mater to step into classroom teaching roles and lead on the sidelines alongside the coach who helped shape their youth.

For Coach Smith, having players from his early years as a Tiger returning to join his coaching staff strengthens the district's culture from within.

"When you have guys that played here... it just brings more of that pride," Smith said. "They have a little bit more pride about every single thing that we do. It's also really cool to have players that you coach that want to come back and work for you."

Smith emphasized that Turk, Robberts, and Hatton share a deep-rooted commitment to the town. "They very much have in common a tremendous amount of pride for Silsbee. It means just a little bit more to them, I think, than the average."

Darshon Turk (Class of 2019) was a sophomore when Coach Smith first took over the program. After earning a college track scholarship following a standout high school career in football and track, Turk returned to teach Middle School Health and coach football, basketball, and track.

"To me, he's a legend. Like, he's the GOAT in my book," Turk said of Coach Smith. "He changed the culture around Silsbee... He got a lot of kids in college, including myself, and people going on to be great men, great husbands."

Now in the classroom and on the field, Turk wants to offer that same foundation to today's students. "I just want to be that person that can help catapult and build them to where they're trying to go," he said.

Morgan Robberts (Class of 2020), an All-State offensive lineman who started on Silsbee's 2018 and 2019 state semifinal teams, was a freshman when Smith arrived in Silsbee. Now teaching 6th Grade Social Studies and coaching high school football and baseball, Robberts knew early in his playing days that he wanted to join Smith's staff.

"I remember exactly what classroom I was in at the middle school when I was in eighth grade when I decided that I didn't want to be a Houston Astros player like every other 12 or 13-year-old, and I knew that I wanted to be a Silsbee Tiger football coach," Robberts recalled.

For Robberts, coaching at Silsbee also ties directly into family history. "I can walk in the trophy room and there's a team picture with my grandpa in it, and then I'm right next to it in my team picture," he said. "The tradition here is really rich, and there's a lot of pride that goes along with that."

Rueben Hatton (Class of 2021) grew up in the Silsbee program while his father served as middle school coordinator under Coach Smith. Hatton went on to star in football and soccer, helping lead the 2019 football team to the state semifinals alongside Robberts. Today, he teaches 7th Grade Science and coaches middle school football and is the Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach.

Transitioning from athlete to coach required a shift in perspective. "As a player... he was very intimidating," Hatton said of Coach Smith. "But as a coach, it's really cool. My respect has tremendously grown... I'm just super excited for my future here."

Hatton added that standing on the sideline has brought a new kind of fulfillment: "Seeing my players being out there competing at such a high level, it's very rewarding. It's awesome to see it now, being in their corner and watching them grow."

As a new athletic season gets underway, Turk, Robberts, and Hatton are no longer just learning from Coach Smith, they are standing next to him, ensuring the standard set over a decade ago continues for the next generation of Silsbee Tigers.

You can watch the full story here: https://youtu.be/VVr0QHJUtLc