Tracking a Westlake coach during the past week can be like hunting down a Longhorn fan in Tuscaloosa.

Sure, there’s one or two somewhere in the field house, but they’re sequestered away from the public, waiting for the holiday season to end before emerging from their den.

So in the hopes of extending the Chaps’ success into the New Year, here are some suggested resolutions for the Westlake coaches.

For football coach Darren Allman:
Resolve to redshirt quarterback Tanner Price. The senior signal caller did suffer a knee injury in middle school that kept him out of football until 2007. It’s not too late for the UIL to grant a medical redshirt, is it? Of course, the coaches at Wake Forest University won’t be too happy, but finding a new QB could mean the difference between another lengthy playoff run and a first-round exit for the Chaps.

For volleyball coach Al Bennett:
Resolve to influence the UIL’s realignment in order for Amarillo to fall into Class 4A. The Sandies have beaten Westlake in the last three Class 5A title matches, but the shrinking Panhandle school could fall into 4A in next month’s realignment. Few tears would fall in the Westbank.

For boys soccer coach John Campbell:
Resolve to bring stability back to the Chap program. Since longtime manager John Fitzsimons left in 2006, Westlake has had four head coaches. A program with such talent and history – last year marked just the second time in school history that Westlake missed the postseason – deserves a firm coaching foundation.

For girls soccer coach Rennie Rebe:
Resolve to keep cracking that whip. The Chaps responded to Rebe’s hard-nosed approach in the coach’s first year, winning District 25-5A and advancing to the regional quarterfinals. They have to replace a wave of departing seniors but appear ready to build on last season’s success.

For boys basketball coach Tres Ellis:
Resolve to enjoy the season. Before a recent game, Ellis eyed his team during warm-ups and quipped that he could coach another 20 years and not ever have as much talent on one team. Coaches often measure their achievement by wins and losses, but Ellis has already done a masterful job while blending these Chaps into a state contender.

For girls basketball coach Keith Smith:
Resolve to play three guards. Sure, Westlake has an impressive collection of depth on the frontcourt with 6-footers Courtney Duever, Jackie Manzano and Jamie Grace. But guard play determines success in high school girls basketball; if Hannah Coley, Cherrell Mays and Rose Minutaglio develop into a three-pronged backcourt force, Westlake could have an ideal complement to the multifaceted post Duever.

For baseball coach Jim Darilek:
Resolve to let his toddling ballplayers take a few stumbles while learning how to walk. Westlake lost eight starters from last year’s state semifinalist team to graduation, and the young Chaps will likely endure growing pains during a rugged nondistrict slate.