NEW DIANA, Texas- After a successful 2017 season that saw the New Diana Eagles engineered their deepest playoff run since the early 1990s, second year head coach Robbie Coplin today confirmed his intention to depart for a similar position in Monticello, Arkansas. Coplin cites the need to be closer to family for the decision, according to the first report by ETVarsity’s George Whitley.
The 10-4 season, which ended in the state quarterfinals marked an instant improvement from Coplin’s first year, in which the Eagles finished with a 3-7 mark; the fifth time in six seasons New Diana did not qualify for the postseason.
Before arriving in New Diana, Coplin previously served on the staff in Marble Falls as well as newly-named Arkansas Razorback coach Chad Morris in Stephenville and Lake Travis. The coach continued on in the Cavalier staff, serving as the receivers coach under Hank Carter.
The Eagles offense saw marked improvements in Coplin’s second year, compared to the winless 2015 campaign in which only 61 total points were scored. New Diana’s offense in 2017 averaged 43.9 points per game, including losses in which the offense scored 51 and 61 points.
The Eagles claimed the 7-3A DII title to close the regular season, then began the postseason by beating back a scrappy Winona bunch in bi-district. They prevailed over Jacksboro in a one-point thriller at The Star in Frisco in the third round, but would see their season end to eventual state finalist Gunter the following week.
Monticello is currently a class 4A program, the third smallest classification in the state. The southeastern Arkansas school won a pair of state titles in 2009 and 2010.
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