Among the coaching world, rising up in the ranks is the ultimate goal no matter your title. Recently, Jacob Skinner, the head coach of the Tigers basketball team of four years, departed from school to take the head coaching job at Shiloh Christian in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

“I spent the majority of my life as a Tiger, being a Tiger and part of TISD athletics has been a huge part of my life,” Skinner said. “Leaving Texarkana is going to be extremely tough.”

Religion and family faith being highly regarded within Skinner’s life, it is easy to understand the move.

“For someone who has been actively involved in youth ministry for eight years at Moores Lane Baptist Church,” Skinner said. “I believe this is a perfect fit and exactly where God is taking our new family.”

It is naive to deny Skinner’s success here at Texas High as he lead the varsity boys’ basketball team to the playoffs three times in his four years as head boys’ coach.

“I understand Coach Skinner’s decision,” junior basketball player Lavon Brown said. “He has a family and is doing what he has to do for them.”

With Skinner’s departure, coach Keith Jones will serve as interim head coach for the varsity squad. As junior varsity coach in his previous years, Jones brings knowledge of the game and the respect of the players.

“Coach Jones has been doing well holding things down in this time,” Brown said. “Right now we are just trying to figure things out.”

With the uptempo offense implemented by Skinner, where the Tigers will go from here is still in question.

“We have just been touching on the fundamentals, waiting on the season to start,” Brown said. “We are just trying to form a family.”

With no word on a new head coach from outside of the school, it appears Coach Jones will take over for the Tigers 2015-2016 season.

“I’ve been an assistant for a long time, and coached under three really good coaches,” Jones said. “I plan on taking what I’ve learned to move the Tigers forward.”

With confusion felt by both sides as Skinner transitions into a new role, the Tigers look to find solace in a new environment. Change and transition will affect both sides.

“Transition and change are never easy, this move fits that mold,” said Skinner. “But when God calls, you go. We are following in obedience.”