For Coach Nathan Labus, the path to becoming a state champion coach started at home, guided by his father, a long-time coach in Birdville ISD. He fondly recalls tagging along to practices, which sparked his passion for athletics. By middle school, Labus excelled in pole vaulting, even outperforming older athletes.
“When you’re good at something and think it’s fun, you’re going to thrive,” Labus said.
Initially, basketball was his first love, however, a pivotal decision in his senior year reshaped his athletic journey. He was forced to choose between a major pole vaulting meet and a basketball game. He chose track, a decision that paid off when he caught the attention of Kyle Tellez from the University of Houston, who offered him a scholarship. This opportunity allowed him to train under the legendary Olympic coach Tom Tellez and cross paths with elite athletes like Carl Lewis. That decision, to prioritize track over basketball, would lay the foundation for Labus’s future success as both an athlete and a coach.
Coach attributes much of his success to the people he’s surrounded himself with throughout his career.
“You’re the sum of your surroundings,” he said. This philosophy remains central to his coaching approach. “Coaching is hard and gets harder every year,” Labus admitted.
Reflecting on his nearly three decades at St. Thomas. While he emphasizes discipline and accountability, he also believes in giving athletes room to learn from their mistakes. Coaching wasn’t originally in his plans, but it became a natural progression after he helped St. Thomas’ pole vaulters win a district meet.
“When you’re successful, it makes you want to pursue it,” Labus said.
After balancing part-time coaching roles, he became the full-time head coach of both the track and cross-country teams in 2005. His passion for guiding athletes and the satisfaction of watching them grow keep him coming back year after year.
What makes Coach Labus’s tenure successful isn’t just his leadership but also the team of coaches he’s built around him.
“It’s not a one-man team. Surrounding yourself with knowledgeable coaches is key to winning a state championship,” he said.
He’s created a team atmosphere at St. Thomas driven by patience, persistence, and a shared commitment to excellence. For Labus, coaching goes beyond winning; it’s about making young men into responsible and respectful individuals.
“Coaching is about making them men of St. Thomas—teaching respect, good manners, and making the right decisions,” he emphasized.
When reflecting on the most rewarding aspect of his career, he spoke of witnessing his athletes’ success.
“Seeing an athlete succeed and witnessing their reaction is incredibly rewarding,” he said. But it’s not just about individual achievements. It’s about the collective growth of the team. “Making each athlete a little better and bringing them together to win a state championship is what makes coaching fulfilling,” he added.
His ultimate goal is to prepare athletes not only for competitions but for life.
Coach Labus’s athletic journey serves as a foundation for the way he coaches today. He often shares stories about his experiences—both successes and setbacks—to mentor his athletes.
“Distractions are everywhere,” he noted. “It takes maturity to step back and ask, ‘Is this decision leading me where I want to go?’”
One of his key messages to athletes is the importance of learning from more experienced individuals. He laughs while acknowledging that teenagers often think they know everything, but he’s quick to point out the value of life experience.
Early in life, Labus learned the importance of surrounding himself with the right people. He recalls one of his best friends from high school, who faced hardships after losing both parents and turned to unhealthy habits.
“It was tough, but I had to stay on the right path,” Labus said.
This experience shaped how he navigated his challenges and informed his approach as a coach. Now, he continually emphasizes to his athletes that the people they choose to surround themselves with can either help them reach their goals or hold them back.
When asked if he would have pursued another sport besides track and field, Labus joked about his brief interest in basketball.
“I had the height, but I wasn’t much of a dribbler,” he laughed.
One of his fondest memories as a coach came during a state meet when the entire competition hinged on the high jump.
“Our jumper, Peyton Matocha, was up against an opponent who had just set a personal record in the high jump event, clearing the bar by six inches. Then Peyton stepped up, nailed his jump, and not only won the state title but also set a school record. Seeing the whole team and their families come together, cheering him on—that’s what it’s all about. That moment, when everything came together, was truly unforgettable.”
When it comes to snacks, Coach Labus keeps it simple.
“I love peanut butter and honey, especially on a half peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” he shared.
As for movies, he’s a fan of the latest Top Gun film.
“Tom Cruise’s character motivates the younger pilots, showing them what’s possible. It’s kind of like coaching—building confidence and helping others believe in themselves.”
Through nearly thirty years of coaching, Coach Labus’s journey from an ambitious young athlete to a state champion coach has been shaped by pivotal decisions, the people around him, and a love for guiding others. His story is one of perseverance, growth, and dedication to helping others achieve their best—on the track, in competition, and life.
