Cornelius Harmon Leads Nimitz to Playoffs in First Year – Northeast News

NORTH-EAST NEWS COACH OF THE YEAR

Mike Keaney, contributing writer

After graduating from Texas Southern University, Cornelius Harmon became like many young people. He didn’t know what he wanted to do for a living. But a phone call changed all that and set him on a career as a high school football coach.

He’s ever glad he answered that call.

After three years as a quarterback at TSU, Harmon landed a job at his high school alma mater, Port Arthur Memorial, thanks to that phone call from his former coach, Kenny Harrison.

Harmon spent nine years at PA Memorial working his way up the ranks and left as offensive coordinator. After leaving PA Memorial, Harmon became offensive coordinator at Summer Creek at Humble ISD before being offered his first head coaching position at Nimitz in March 2022.

He made a big impression during his first tenure as head coach.

Because he did not start until March, Harmon did not host the Cougars’ spring training. Instead, they started their fall training a week earlier than most of their District 14-6A competitors. The Cougars got off to a slow start but played well in the end and earned a playoff berth.

For leading Nimitz to a playoff berth and six wins in his first year, Harmon was named Northeast News Coach of the Year for the 2022 season.

The Port Arthur native, 37, said Harrison and former coach Dean Colbert, now Aldine ISD director of sports services, had a profound effect on him when he became a high school football coach.

“I had a great relationship with my high school coaches (Harrison and Colbert),” Harmon said. “I’m glad I answered that call. It worked out great.”

Harmon said he was drawn to working in Nimitz because the local community reminded him so much of his hometown.

“This area reminded me a lot of Port Arthur,” he said. “It made me feel like I was back home.”

Harmon said he is proud of what his team and coaching staff have achieved in their first year and plans to build on that success.

“Your goals never change. I want to win the county and state championships and we wanted to be successful this year. We wanted to create our own storytelling. When I got here, it was more important for me to get to know the guys and the coaches. We spent time with the kids and I think we were able to get along with them. They realized that I was here to help them become better players and become a better team. We were 100% buy-in before leaving for the summer.”

Harmon’s coaching philosophy is simple. Be disciplined, be physical and be fast. He brought with him the scattered offense and 4-2-5 defense from his Summer Creek days.

Now that he’s firmly established as a high school coach, he’s living by a quote from Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

“Coach Tomlin says, ‘I’m not running from coaching, I’m running to coaching.’ That’s pretty sound advice,” Harmon said.

Harmon believes that the Nimitz football program has a great future. The freshman team finished 8-2 and the junior team had some success as well.

While he looks forward to the future, he said his first Cougar team will always have a special place in his heart.

“We’ve got a great group of kids coming up and I’m really excited because they’re getting my vote for the next four years,” Harmon said. “But I will never forget this wonderful group of young people who trusted me and my philosophy. I wish them nothing but greatness.”

Harmon said he strongly believes he made the right choice when Aldine ISD athletics executive Dre Thompson offered him the job and he accepted.

“I am very pleased with my decision,” Harmon said. “Aldine is doing a great job and I can’t thank them enough for giving me the opportunity. While winning is important, our ultimate goal as coaches is to make young people successful in life. The great thing about coaching, and the best part about coaching, is that you can have a direct impact on young children.”

In his free time, Harmon enjoys spending time with his wife Cheniska and son Camben, 8, and Kaylee, 5. He also loves to fish.

If his first year on the job is any sign, the future does look rosy for fans of the Nimitz Cougars football team.