Three new coaches lead Navasota programs

Navasota High School will have three new head coaches leading various athletic programs in the 202324 school year.

Two of the new head coaches, Latoya Taylor and Lisa Marek, are already Navasota ISD employees and were promoted to lead the volleyball and softball programs respectively. Riley Edwards is a new hire to lead the Rattler baseball program.

Head Softball Lisa Marek

Navasota alum, Lisa Marek, a previous assistant and head coach at Navasota High School will lead the Lady Rattler softball program.

Marek was promoted following the retirement of Doug Harrigan who coached the Lady Rattlers for two seasons. During his tenure Marek served as his assistant helping the Lady Rattlers earn history with a Bi-District Championship.

Marek currently teaches at Navasota’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. She also served as the volleyball assistant and has coached cross country and soccer.

As a student-athlete Marek excelled in multiple sports including volleyball, basketball and softball. She was also excelled in the classroom and was a National Honor Society inductee.

Marek continued her athletic journey as a softball player at Northeast Community College from 2002-2004 then transferred to Sam Houston State University playing for the Lady Bearkats from 2004-2006.

In 2009 Marek began her teaching and coaching career at Bellville High School. She was hired to lead the Lady Rattler softball program the following year and served in that role for seven years. Marek took a break from teaching and coaching but the draw back into coaching and education was more than she could withstand. Marek returned to Navasota ISD as a teacher and coach in 2019.

“I believe teaching and coaching allows us to have a huge impact on kids’ lives. We’re given the opportunity to not only teach academics and sports, but also help them be successful by preparing them for life after high school,” said Coach Marek. “I am looking forward to once again leading the Lady Rattler softball program and excited for what the future has in store for our young ladies.”

Volleyball Head Coach Latoya Taylor Navasota High School appointed Latoya Taylor to lead the Lady Rattler volleyball program on the court in 2023. Taylor replaces Susan Foy who accepted a position at Waller High School.

Taylor will continue to serve in her current role as the principal for the W.B. Bizzell Academy and the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) at the Navasota Education Learning Campus, showcasing her exceptional ability to manage multiple responsibilities while providing strong leadership.

“I am incredibly humbled to continue to serve the students, staff, and community of Navasota ISD,” said Taylor. “My personal goal is to ensure the success of our students and our program, and I am excited to be able to share my knowledge and passion for coaching volleyball. I look forward to building on the successes of the volleyball program and I am eager to get started.”

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Prairie View A&M University and earned her Master’s in Education Administration in 2015 from Lamar University. She brings firsthand knowledge of the game, having played four years of college volleyball during her time at Prairie View A&M University.

She began her educational career at Waco ISD in 2011 as an ISS Aid, Taylor quickly advanced to become a U.S. History Teacher and coach at Waco High School later that year. In 2012, she transitioned to Austin ISD, where she taught Special Education and completed her Principal Internship at Travis High School. In 2016, Taylor shifted her focus to the middle school level, serving as the Social Behavior Skills teacher.

Prior to joining Navasota ISD as a principal in 2022, she served three years as the Assistant Principal at Plum Creek Elementary in Lockhart ISD.

Head Baseball Riley Edwards

Navasota High announced the hiring of Riley Edwards to lead the Rattler baseball program. Edwards will replace Zach Nichols who resigned at the end of the season.

With six years of coaching experience and a track record of success, Edwards brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for developing student-athletes. He graduated from Little River Academy High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tarleton State University, where he further developed his passion for teaching and coaching baseball.

Edwards served at Dublin ISD for two years and Coleman ISD for the last four years, where he achieved remarkable results. As the Head Baseball Coach at Coleman High, the Bluecats reached the playoffs three out of the four years, including an impressive run to the third round in 2022, which marked the furthest advancement in the school’s history.

“I grew up in the Central Texas area, and it is an honor for me to join the Navasota family,” said Edwards. “I am excited to bring a culture of hard work and a commitment to excellence to the Navasota baseball program. Together, we will strive to be ELITE in everything we do on and off the field.”

In addition to his coaching duties, Edwards will also serve as a high school special education teacher.