Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear)

🏐 Head Girls Volleyball 🏐🧪 Chemistry Teacher ⚛️ 💚Mayde Creek HS 🖤🧡 UT Austin Alumni c/o 2015🤘🏽#RPND

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

This hits home for me as both of my parents passed from cancer and have death Anniversaries Aug. 22nd (dad) & Sept. 11th (mom)

@Siemers_XC_TF, you’re such an inspiration to me & are one of the people that I respect most in my life & career.

Always rooting for you my friend!

[Shawn Siemers @Siemers_XC_TF]

I've lost the most important race of my life.

The morning of June 28th hit me like a freight train.

My phone rang. It was my doctor.

"The biopsy shows you have cancer."

10 days earlier, I'd had a strange bump on my hip checked out. The doc removed it, thinking it was just a cyst.

No big deal, right?

Wrong.

It wasn't just cancer. It was a pilomatrix carcinoma. Rare as hell. Aggressive as a rabid dog.

I was the 121st recorded case. Ever.

My doctor was shipping me off to MD Anderson. She'd only heard of this once before, during her residency.

I felt numb. Disbelieving.

How could this happen to me? I do everything right. I eat healthy, run 40 miles a week, watch my weight.

Then I thought of my wife. Her dad died of skin cancer when she was young.

Rage took over. "No way in hell skin cancer's taking me out."

It all started in spring 2023. I was training for the Boston Marathon while coaching track. My days were packed from 5:30 AM to 5 PM.

I started running at 3:30 AM to fit it all in. My wife made me take my phone, so I bought a FlipBelt.

By mid-February, I noticed a red spot on my hip. Thought it was just friction.

I ran Boston. Killed it. Even BQ'd for 2024.

Fast forward to January 2024. The "cyst" was growing. Looking weird.

I was running Boston again, but something was off. No pop in my stride. Fatiguing early on long runs.

The marathon sucked. Felt like crap the whole time. Ran 30 minutes slower than last year.

Never connected the dots.

Then came the MD Anderson appointment.

They needed to remove a chunk of my hip. Maybe take out a lymph node.

The PA kept using the word "aggressive." Talking about how fast the cancer could spread.

Now I was scared out of my mind.

What if I couldn't run anymore? Running is my life. I coach runners, I'm a competitive marathoner, I push my step-daughter in the Houston Marathon.

I felt sick to my stomach.

August 23rd. Surgery day. They cut a 20cm x4cm chunk of hip. Down to the muscle fascia.

My surgeon was a badass. Let me pick the music. We jammed to Metallica and AC/DC while she cut me open.

The whole ordeal? It's a massive wake-up call.

I used to be a control freak. Overprepped for everything. Stressed out about little crap.

Cancer changed all that.

Now I know what's really important:
- My wife, my best friend
- Helping my runners build strong foundations
- Enjoying my friends, family, co-workers, and fellow coaches

The other stuff? Championships, being seen as a great coach? That's all meaningless now. Fun. But meaningless.

I'm not done with this battle. Still got radiation to look forward to. And that mystery spot they found.

But I'll keep living my best life every damn day.

Cancer's a hell of a teacher. It taught me life's a gift. Running's a gift. The people in my life are gifts.

One day, it'll all end. But while I'm here, I'm soaking up every moment.

My advice? Stop stressing over your team's performance. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop wishing your life would change.

Enjoy where you are now. Who you are now. The people around you.

That's the secret ingredient to a life worth living.

Fuck cancer. Live now.

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

Don’t worry, I’m excited for the Volleyball games too!!!!!!

@MCHSVB

[MCHS Athletics @MCHSAthleticDep]

First Day Vibes at The Creek @MCHS_Rams #KISDFirstDay #RPND

[Coach Sydney McManus @CoachSMcManus]

Our seniors 💚🤍🏐

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

Every SINGLE time I see Jeffri, he opens his arms wide, has the biggest smile on his face, & says:

“Teacher!”…“Coach!”…Or my favorite “My Friend!”

Congratulations to my absolute favorite person at MCHS!

You take care of us, you work so hard, & I’m so proud of you My Friend!

[Jim Porter @JPoMCHS]

We always knew we had the best custodians, and I'm glad everyone else is recognizing the incredible work they do too! Congratulations Jeffri!! #RPND

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

So, SOOO proud of you @Jasmine_Thomas0 !!!!!

1st of many to come, I’m gonna go ahead and speak that into existence for you 🙌🏽👏🏽👍🏽

Keep up the hard work, stay hungry, and enjoy this part of your journey… this is a testament to your growth and progress!!!!

[Jasmine Thomas @Jasmine_Thomas0]

So much has happened in the last 24 hours. Thank you Student Athlete Scholars for recognizing my academic progress as an athlete! I am grateful!!!!! @EXACTSports @MCHSVB @CoachBHerbert @CoachSMcManus

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

AGAIN FOR THOSE IN THE BACK 🗣️👂🏽🙃

[Mayde Creek Track and Field @MaydeCreekTF]

In that order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

Been waiting for the day @_ejnelsonn!

I can’t wait to see what you do with a refreshed body and a stronger, hungrier mental!!

Go get em E!

[ericnelson_0 @_ejnelsonn]

First meet back since I had my ACL Surgery, all glory to God for allowing me to be back doing what I love 🙏🏾💯 @Coachlewis713 @CoachWilson06 @MaydeCreekTF @Siemers_XC_TF

[Coach Harris @CoachRLHarris]

There’s a new era coming to Mayde Creek High School! Get ready! #RPND

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

@bbaileymadds

This is such a huge, deserving moment after ALL OF THE SETBACKS YOU TURNED INTO SETUPS!!!

The chills and tears just watching this moment means everything after knowing what all you’ve done to get to this moment.

So happy beyond words you got to have this moment!

[HCU Athletics @HCUAthletics]

𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗡𝗗
𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗠 ‼️

𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗬. 𝗕𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗬 ‼️

𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 !!

𝗕𝟯: #𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗴𝘀𝗨𝗽 𝟱-𝟰

@𝗛𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

That part 👌🏽

[Shawn Siemers @Siemers_XC_TF]

What is the first thing I want my athlete to know?

Motivation is an inside job.
I'm not here to motivate you;
I'm here to create an environment that forces you to face yourself and unleash your potential.

The rest is up to you.

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

@MaydeCreekFFA So beyond proud of you @AydenMessina4 🙌🏽👍🏽

[Coach Harris @CoachRLHarris]

‘When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.’ @LHerring_MCHS you have been an unexpected blessing to me and I thank you for believing in me and pouring into me and so many others. Celebrating you today was so much fun!! 🤩 #RPND

[Shawn Siemers @Siemers_XC_TF]

10:34.09!!!!! And 5th place in the 6A Texas Track and Field Championships.

What a season for @JamieKlander.

She came into the season with a PR of 11:31.81 and brings it down 57 seconds. Only a sophomore, she will be back!
#TheCreekIsRising

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

Bittersweet, but SOOOOOOO proud of you and happy for you Coach!!!!!

[Katy ISD Athletics @KatyISDAthletic]

We would like to introduce and welcome Coach J Jensen as the newest member of the Katy ISD Athletic Leadership Team!

[MCHS Athletics @MCHSAthleticDep]

Great time at Cardiff sharing information about athletics and SAC Camp with our future Rams! @CardiffColts @CJHGirlsAth @MCHS_Rams @CreekRams

[TVCC Volleyball @TVCCvball]

Today’s prospect camp was a great success! Thank you to all of our campers that joined #futureisbright #gocards 👌🏼

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

A first of hopefully many more “full-circle” moments to come for me as a Coach

Soon to be Senior @MCHSVB players @melaniegasca14 & @raquel_cortez4 got to attend Trinity Valley CC’s Prospect camp & work with one of my former players @smileyneveah currently playing for @TVCCvball

[TVCC Volleyball @TVCCvball]

Today’s prospect camp was a great success! Thank you to all of our campers that joined #futureisbright #gocards 👌🏼

[Mayde Creek Track and Field @MaydeCreekTF]

RAM Nation! 🎉 We're beyond ecstatic to announce we're off to the prestigious 6A UIL State Meet in Austin Texas for the 400m and the grueling 3200m races. 🏃‍♂️🏅Stellar job, guys. 🥳 Keep killing it! Congratulations are in order! 🏆🎈

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

@AydenMessina4 Proud of you!

[Coach B. Herbert (A-Bear) @CoachBHerbert]

GREAT WIN TONIGHT @MCHSramSB

Way to protect the house with a commanding 11 RUNS IN THE 4TH INNING to go with a 15-5 WIN vs Seven Lakes!

Shoutout to Current/former MCV players, all doing great things, competing, & representing in a way that makes both me & our program SO PROUD!