Carrollton Leader > Sports
R.L. Turner grad Harris returns to lead Lions’ baseball program
BY JUSTIN THOMAS, Staff writer
After 25 years, R.L. Turner alum Allen Harris is returning to Carrollton.
It was in Carrollton where Harris learned how to play baseball. Now he has the chance to teach others, after being named the head baseball coach at R.L. Turner.
Harris is replacing Herb Rios, who C-FB ISD interim athletic director Renee Putter said “chose to go in a different direction.”
“I just feel real fortunate and real lucky to have this opportunity,” Harris said. “It’s a really good time to come into Turner with the new facilities. We have nowhere to go but up.”
Harris graduated from Turner in 1983, before moving on to obtain a political science degree from Southwest Texas State in 1988, where he also minored in physical education.
From there, Harris’ coaching career took off.
“With Turner, I’ve now coached at every level of baseball in Texas,” Harris said.
Harris was an athletic director at Class A Utopia for four years, before moving to Class 2A Venus High School for a season. From there Harris moved to Class 3A Bowie followed by a job on the coaching staff of the baseball team at Class 5A’s Rowlett High School for four years. His final stop before arriving at Turner was as a head coach at Class 5A Bryan Adams High School, where Harris led the Cougars to the district title in four of the eight years there, including the District 11-5A title in 2007.
With the return to Turner, Harris will be reunited with assistant athletic director and longtime friend John Matthews.
“I’ve known (Matthews) since junior high football and he’s always been there for me,” Harris said. “It’s kind of a security blanket and comfort zone I have with him. We’ve kept in close contact and he has been a mentor to me.”
Harris’ tenure has already begun with summer league baseball.
“We’re hoping to follow the same blueprint at Turner we did at Rowlett and Bryan Adams,” Harris said. “It starts with summer leagues and fall baseball on into the season. We’re heading in the right direction.”
It was in Carrollton where Harris learned how to play baseball. Now he has the chance to teach others, after being named the head baseball coach at R.L. Turner.
Harris is replacing Herb Rios, who C-FB ISD interim athletic director Renee Putter said “chose to go in a different direction.”
“I just feel real fortunate and real lucky to have this opportunity,” Harris said. “It’s a really good time to come into Turner with the new facilities. We have nowhere to go but up.”
Harris graduated from Turner in 1983, before moving on to obtain a political science degree from Southwest Texas State in 1988, where he also minored in physical education.
From there, Harris’ coaching career took off.
“With Turner, I’ve now coached at every level of baseball in Texas,” Harris said.
Harris was an athletic director at Class A Utopia for four years, before moving to Class 2A Venus High School for a season. From there Harris moved to Class 3A Bowie followed by a job on the coaching staff of the baseball team at Class 5A’s Rowlett High School for four years. His final stop before arriving at Turner was as a head coach at Class 5A Bryan Adams High School, where Harris led the Cougars to the district title in four of the eight years there, including the District 11-5A title in 2007.
With the return to Turner, Harris will be reunited with assistant athletic director and longtime friend John Matthews.
“I’ve known (Matthews) since junior high football and he’s always been there for me,” Harris said. “It’s kind of a security blanket and comfort zone I have with him. We’ve kept in close contact and he has been a mentor to me.”
Harris’ tenure has already begun with summer league baseball.
“We’re hoping to follow the same blueprint at Turner we did at Rowlett and Bryan Adams,” Harris said. “It starts with summer leagues and fall baseball on into the season. We’re heading in the right direction.”
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