Amazingly, SEMO FB coach steers clear of 'Hawks landing prized OL prospect

Jackson High School senior offensive lineman Zane Coon posted this graphic on social media upon announcing his intention to play football at Southeast Missouri State, where his father, Ricky Coon, is the program's defensive coordinator.

photo courtesy of the Coon family

If there was ever a parent that could provide a good evaluation of their child as an athlete, Ricky Coon is the guy (and one of the few that actually could do so). However, as the recruiting process for his 16-year-old son, Zane Coon, unfolded over the past couple of years, Ricky stood on the periphery as much as he was allowed to.

“I told him that it was 100 percent on him,” Ricky said, “and (Ricky and his wife, Amanda) were there for moral support.”

What makes this situation a bit different (OK, a lot different) is the fact that Ricky serves as defensive coordinator for Southeast Missouri State, and Zane is a highly-regarded offensive line prospect entering his senior season.

“It was uncharted waters for us, and for everybody,” Ricky said. “The (SEMO) coaching staff and for me. I tried to stay out of it.”

Zane recently announced his commitment to play for the Redhawks, which would lead many to believe that this was a done deal before the process even started. However, that was not the case.

Ricky took Zane on several recruiting visits, though he admits to being “unmarked,” and not wearing SEMO football gear on those trips.

“I just stood back and listened,” Ricky said, “and tried to help him answer questions, and really let him make his mind up on what he wanted to do.

“He was the one that has to (go play football). At the end of the day, he loves SEMO and wants to be a part of this (program).”

Southeast Missouri State defensive coordinator, Ricky Coon, watches his unit participate in the Redhawks annual spring game last April at Scott City High School. (Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com)

The story behind Zane’s story is this: The Coon’s loved SEMO and Cape Girardeau during their first time living and coaching here (2014 through 2018), to the point, that the four Coon children, Taryn (a Redhawk softball player), Zane, Gunner, and Bryson, were none too pleased when Ricky told the family that they were moving to Dodge City, Kansas for him to be the head coach at Dodge City Community College. So, when they got an opportunity to return to Cape Girardeau, the family was all in on that move.

“SEMO is a great place for me to develop as a player and a man,” Zane said. “One of their big things is to use football to create better men.

“That was something that really appealed to me because I want to be a great husband and a great father.”

Ricky put on his “coaching hat” and offered an assessment of his son, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 290 pounds, though this was after the fact, not during the recruiting process.

“He is really athletic,” Ricky said of Zane. “He is strong and athletic.”

Zane squats 600 pounds, and Ricky is quick to point out that Zane doesn’t turn 17 years old until Sept. 12.

“He’s really young,” Ricky added.

So, for those keeping score at home, in today’s world of overbearing parents, some of whom “redshirt” their children for athletic purposes or simply delay their enrollment in school to add another year of physical (and athletic) maturity, Ricky and Amanda have done just the opposite.

“He was a really big help to me during this process,” Zane said of his father. “He told me that this was my decision completely, 100 percent. He didn’t try to influence me in any way.

“When I told him that (SEMO) was where I wanted to be, he tried to steer me away.”

(For Ricky’s sake, let’s hope Redhawk coach Tom Matukewicz isn’t reading this).

It was the Redhawk coaching staff (Coon aside), who made a lasting impression on Zane, as well as his love of the area and college.

“Ever since I was young,” Zane said, “I’ve seen how ‘Coach Tuke’ treats his players, and how the coaching staff treats (the players), and I just feel like this is the perfect place for me.”

Zane said the emphasis on OFF the field development that Matukewicz speaks so much of was very different than most of the recruiting pitches that he listened to.

“He is definitely unique in that way,” Zane said of Matukewicz. “On the other visits, (the coaches) weren’t anywhere near as emphasizing the off-the-field stuff as they did on the field.

“So, it is definitely unique here.”

Coon will play this season at Jackson High School before graduating in December and being an early enrollee at SEMO in January, despite his age.

“Once I get there (in January),” Zane said, “I’ll have a head start on the other freshmen that will be coming in June. Getting that experience will help me a lot.”