Published: May 16, 2008 09:22 am         

Climbing gas prices forces Rams soccer coach to resign

By Craig Holamon
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

The cost of a gallon of gasoline cost Mineral Wells High School a coach, and a good one at that.

Rams head soccer coach and assistant football coach Tony Biasatti has resigned and is looking for a new coaching job that’s closer to his home.

Biasatti, a former TCU place kicker who owns a home in Burleson, said he was forced to resign because of the high price at the pump.

“It’s been costing me $750 a month to drive to work and back. I’m looking for something a little closer to home,” Biasatti said. “I’ve had some offers but I haven’t decided on anything.”

Biasatti said he had thought about selling his home in Burleson and moving to Mineral Wells but he was unable to do so.

“My wife works at TCU as head coach Gary Patterson’s secretary. Even if I moved to Mineral Wells, my wife would still have to drive. There wouldn’t be any savings,” Biasatti said. “I love it here and I enjoy coaching in Mineral Wells. I hate to have to leave but I really don’t have much of a choice.”

During two seasons as the boys head soccer coach at Mineral Wells High School, Biasatti molded a young team that has a chance to be competitive next year when the Rams enter a new district.

Five of Biasatti’s soccer players received post-season honors this year as underclassmen.

“I have worked to build the kind of team that can win. I have the kids I want, they are going to get better and better,” Biasatti said. “I’m really going to miss the kids.”

Biasatti will always be remembered as the first coach to take a win at Ram Stadium.

His Rams soccer team took the first win at the new stadium this spring in the first game that was played there.

Biasatti graduated from Dallas D.W. Carter High School in 1974 and graduated from TCU in 1978.

Biasatti has been a high school coach and teacher since his graduation from TCU.

Mineral Wells Independent School District Athletic Director Sean Harvey said Biasatti will be missed.

“We wanted to keep him on our coaching staff. He wasn’t forced out or anything like that. I offered to change his schedule so he wouldn’t have to be here as early but there was really nothing I could do. Tony did a great job for us,” Harvey said. “With the cost of gas he was basically coaching for free. He’s a good coach and a good friend. The kids love him, I’m sure he will do a good job wherever he goes.”

“The cost of gas hurt him and so did spending two hours a day driving. He was spending too much time sitting behind a windshield,” Harvey said.

The Rams head soccer coach said he decided to resign early in the spring semester but he plans to stay at MWHS until the end of the school year.

“Tony resigned early to give us a better chance to find a coach to replace him,” Harvey said. “I have had a few interviews but I haven’t decided who to hire.”