Communities get tired of coaches after a while, and the coaches leave to find work elsewhere, he told those who asked.
Coach DuBose ended up hanging around for 36 years.
His friends, family, former co-workers and the Skidmore-Tynan community paid tribute to DuBose on Friday by naming the newly built high school gymnasium after him.
DuBose was too ill to attend the ribbon-cutting event, but he assured his family: “I’m thrilled and honored to be chosen,” his daughter, Jacque, told more than 120 well-wishers.
Although coach DuBose is infirm, his tongue still works quite well, she joked.
DuBose’s wife, Mavournee, said her husband looks forward to seeing the photographs and video taken of the event, as well as reading the guest book.
A reception honoring DuBose was held in the school cafeteria. A table was set up with photographs of DuBose and some of the teams he coached, as well as some of the plaques and trophies his teams won over the years.
The Skidmore-Tynan band played the school song prior to the unveiling and played the fight song after the unveiling.
Guests were invited back inside the cafeteria for refreshments and to share memories of coach DuBose.
DuBose attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos and served in the U.S. Army before hiring on at Skidmore-Tynan ISD in 1956.
Although his specialty was basketball, he also coached football, volleyball, basketball and track until he retired in 1992.
Coach DuBose also taught classes and served as a principal.
During his 36-year tenure, DuBose played an instrumental role in merging various girls coaching organizations — basketball, volleyball and track — into one girls coaching association and in bringing girls track into the UIL.
He culminated his involvement in the Texas High School Girls Coaching Association by serving as its president in 1969-70.
To ensure media coverage of S-T teams throughout his coaching career, and for many years afterwards, DuBose kept statistics, reported game results and provided game and team photos to the Victoria, Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Beeville newspapers.
For many years after his retirement, DuBose volunteered as a track official at the UIL state meet and also assisted at area meets as needed.
In 1998, his role in South Texas Coastal Bend sports was recognized by the Coastal Bend Coaches Association when he was inducted into their hall of fame.
David DuBose, coach DuBose’s son, remembers the long hours his father put in during the three decades he served as coach, teacher and principal at Skidmore-Tynan ISD.
DuBose was one of three coaches teaching sports at every level during most of his career.
His son recalls other coaches often asking his dad why he didn’t find better paying work with better hours elsewhere.
Coach DuBose’s reply: “He didn’t believe he could do that to his family.”
David assumed all these years that his dad was talking about him, his sister, Jackie, and his mom.
It wasn’t until after his dad retired in 1992 that David realized he had been mistaken.
“The family he was talking about was this community, not the three of us,” said David, his voice breaking with emotion.
A plaque with a picture of the beloved coach greets visitors as they enter the gymnasium.
“We’re honored; we’re humbled; we’re thrilled; and we’re very grateful,” David added.
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