Gonzales is training to make a difference

Johnny Gonzales, the 47-year-old athletic trainer for the Wimberley Texans, is a well-travelled man who has worked at many schools in Texas. For the last twelve years, Wimberley athletes have benefitted from his immense skills and caring nature.

After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Harden-Simmons University to study Behavorial Science. In 1984, the athletic director asked if he could help with the football chain gang. Johnny said yes and so started a lifetime of service and education in support of high school athletes.

The next step was to Texas A&I to study kinesiology but graduated from Harden-Simmons in 1996. From 2003 to 2007, he worked at Lake Travis High School where he helped football coach Dicus turn the football program around in three years from 3-27 losers to winners.

“But, my wife and I wanted to raise our family in a small town, so I started looking for the right school in the right town. I wanted to see my child grow up, but at a big school we had so many athletes so I got to see my son only when my wife brought him by my work.”

“While looking around, I kept remembering that I wanted to see my son at home, to put him to bed at night and wake up with him in the morning. At a sports medicine conference one year, I heard about an open position at Wimberley so I filled out an application and interviewed for the job. That same night the Wimberley board approved my contract and I’ve been working here ever since.”

“Coach Gonzales is invaluable to our Wimberley program,” Texan athletic director Doug Warren says. “The attention he provides for our athletes is second to none. He’s fair, knows his business and he cares about the kids.”

Holly Harwood, striker on the girls’ soccer team, says about Mr. Gonzalez, “When I sprained my ankle, it was a third degree injury. Mr. Gonzalez did physical therapy every day to start and when I need it now. He also gives me motivation and gets me back playing. He’s a very caring person!”

“When I sprained my ankle, it was a third degree injury. Mr. Gonzalez did physical therapy every day to start and when I need it now. He also gives me motivation and gets me back playing. He’s a very caring person!”
Holly Harwood
Soccer Player

Injured with a broken collarbone last football season, Texan quarterback Cooper McCollum needed post-operation care. “Mr. Gonzales really helped me with my physical therapy and getting back to full health. I’d say Coach Gonzales is one of the main pillars of our Texan’s sports program.”

Asked what he considers the best part of his job, Gonzales answers emphatically, “It’s the success of the kids! I’ve been part of two state titles (football 2011 and volleyball 2007) and lots of quarter and semifinal wins. But mostly I feel good when my student assistants graduate with the tools they need to succeed.”

“Some people think a coach is measured by state championship teams,” he said. I don’t believe that! Instead, I measure our success as teachers and coaches by how we make students ready for the next phases of their lives. In my eyes, that’s how we should measure success as teachers!”

“Mr. Gonzales really helped me with my physical therapy and getting back to full health. I’d say Coach Gonzales is one of the main pillars of our Texan’s sports program.”
Cooper McCollum Football Player