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Like father, like son at Safford High
Andrews have created lasting legacy
It’s just another day in Safford for B.B. and Herman Andrews. B.B., the father, and Herman, the son, preside over track practice at Safford High School and mentor their young athletes.
B.B. has coached at Safford since 1978 and Herman since 1992. Coaching is a labor of love for both.
“Working with the kids (is the best part),” B.B. said. “Trying to bring them from zero to ten is the whole point of anyone coaching.”
Herman echoed his father’s sentiments.
“My (favorite part) is also working with the kids and watching them mature and grow into responsible young adults.”
B.B. coaches track and cross country but was also on the football coaching staff for years.
The Safford wrestling team has become one of the most dominant programs in Arizona under Herman’s watch and won its fourth straight 3A state championship in February.
The two have combined to accumulate an eye-popping number of achievements.
They have combined to win 60 regional championships, 30 state championships and eight state runner-up finishes.
The Andrews have been region Coach of the Year 41 times, Arizona Coach of the Year 12 times and Arizona Informant Coach of the Year two times.
B.B. said his biggest challenge is keeping kids involved in sports and not letting them get caught up in the wrong activities.
Safford, like most schools, deals with its share of students drinking and using drugs. Those decisions often take the youths away from positive activities like athletics.
B.B. wants to get as many students as he can involved in sports so the kids don’t follow the wrong path.
With February (Black History Month) just slightly in 2008’s rear-view mirror, the Andrews also reflected on what it means to be an African-American coach.
“Being an African-American coach in Safford, Arizona, where I was born and raised, (is something) I thought would never be possible,” B.B. said.
“Once I was given a chance, I gave it everything I had.”
For the son, seeing a black coach in action was commonplace.
“I grew up watching a black coach (B.B.), so all I wanted to do was be like him,” Herman said.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than to watch my dad go through all the stuff that he’s done to set the groundwork for me to come in and (do the same) in my sport.
“I owe everything to him. I just have to follow his lead and continue on.”
Both have had extremely rewarding experiences with the athletes.
For B.B., talking to the students years later when they have become doctors, lawyers and teachers, is especially fulfilling.
They thank him for looking after them in the classroom and on the playing field and always being there to talk about anything.
The most rewarding part of coaching for Herman is to see an athlete “glow” after achieving something great, such as winning or contributing to a state championship.
“When you get that group picture, that whole team family atmosphere, and you get to watch their faces glow and pop when the flashes are going off, that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
His fondest memories are growing up watching Safford coaching legends like his father, Ken Guzik and Norma Bellamy.
B.B. practically glowed while describing his love of Safford and being able to coach his hometown school.
“(To be) a coach of the Bulldogs — that’s the ultimate,” he said, smiling.
Considering everything that Herman has achieved at Safford, it’s safe to say his father is impressed.
“I’m so proud of the things that he’s done,” B.B. beamed. “It has to make you proud because you figure you must have done something right — you or your wife,” he said, laughing.
By Brian Wright
Sports Editor
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