1989 Don Hays
Don Hays was a walk-on defensive tackle under Coach McWilliams. Russell Hays was a walk-on wide receiver under Fred Akers. Don suffered a spinal injury and never made the team, but his brother was injury-free and received a scholarship. Don and Russel’s father’s cousin is Jack Hays, the father of Jenna McEachern, who is celebrated on the TLSN website.
I was a walk on player under McWilliams.(Defensive Tackle) my career was cut short by a spinal injury.
My brother, Russell was a WR under Akers (1983-85). He was also a walk-on but earned a scholarship. Photo is Russell against Arkansas 1983
Our father, Dennie Hays coached in Sonora (1960-1971), Seguin (1971-1976), Midland (1976-1980) and in San Antonio (1980-1989). Photo is Don’s father being inducted into the THSCA Hall of Honor
And it just so happens that , Dad’s cousin, Jack Hays coached at West Columbia for many years…this would be Jenna’s father. Jenna is celebrate in Longhorn sports history at https://www.texaslsn.org/jenna-mceachern
Article by Don Hays- The recruiting of Russell ERXLEBEN
Background I am a coach’s kid. My father was an active member of the THSCA and served on their board of directors. My father first started coaching in 1960 and retired in 1989. He was friends with many of the coaches in the old SWC…Royal, McWilliams, Akers, Dykes, Ballard, and Wacker. Back in those days (60s and 70s) schools were not limited to scholarships and the rules regarding contact with student athletes was lets say “much looser” than in 2021 One of the funniest stories from recruiting happened in Seguin, Texas in the 70s. At that time, Seguin had many standout players. Russell Erxleben, Kevin Monk, Lawrence Sampleton, Milton Hardaway to name a few. This is the story of how Russell Erxleben became a Longhorn…. Coach Royal came along with another assistant (I cannot recall who it was) but they were looking over the prospects in the spring. This is the paraphrased conversation that occurred: Royal: “So tell me about this Erxleben kid” Dad: “He plays some QB and handles our kicking and punting” Royal: “How fast is he? What is his 40 time” Dad: “He isn’t fast at all…we timed him at 5.2…however he can kick the sh*t out of the football” Royal: “Ah hell, can he throw?” Dad: “He is an average passer, but he can kick the sh*t out of the football” Royal: “What kind of grades does he make?” Dad: “He passes his classes…and he can kick the sh*t out of the football” Royal: “Ok, go get him….” Dad calls over his student teacher from Texas Lutheran College, a young guy named D.W. Rutledge and sends him a note to get Erxleben out of class Erxleben arrives and is told to go dress out in shorts and t-shirt. Dad grabs a bag of footballs. They head out to the field.. Dad informs Russell that coach Royals wants to watch him kick. He stretches and gets warm… Erxleben puts the ball on the 30 (40 yard FG) He kicks 5 in a row and backs it up to the 40 Erxleban then makes 5 in a row from 50 yards….backs it up to the 50 Erxleben connects from 60 in 3 out of 5 attempts. Then he starts punting…. Royal: “Coach, that kid sure can kick the sh*t out of the football!” They proceed to the field house and coach Royal produces a Letter Of Intent and informs Erxleben that he is offering him a scholarship to kick for the University of Texas. Erxleben would go on to be an All SWC, All-American and a first round draft pick. He would also kick a 64 yard FG and a 67 yard FG in his Texas career. He was never able to find that success in the NFL however.
