Under former Ennis coach Jack Waggoner, Greer said, players may have missed a day of practice and still been allowed to play in the game that week. There was no such leniency under Mayes. Poor grades and tardiness are no-nos under Mayes. Discipline, he believes, is a big part of championship teams. His strict style doesn't surprise John Wilkins, the former Permian coach who hired Mayes.
Every coach is a little bit different and acts a certain way.
But discipline is one of the factors of the system as it is in any good system. That no-nonsense attitude has earned the respect of Mayes' peers. Despite Ennis' struggles, Mayes was offered and accepted the Permian job in 1994. He was elated. He went 10-4 that first year and advanced to the Division I semifinals.