Former pro football player and West Texas high school coach Gale McClanahan is plucked out of obscurity to lead the San Antonio Lone Stars. But as he uncovers the true motives of the team's shady owner, McClanahan's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to coach at football’s highest level turns into a nightmare of treachery and deceit. Ridiculed under the harsh glare of America’s most popular sport, McClanahan battles his own fear of failure and the corrupt forces that threaten to destroy him and his family. With everything on the line, he does what nearly everyone believes impossible. LONESTAR reveals dark secrets of the powerful world of professional football with a Texas spin — and takes the reader into the heart of a team turned upside down by a desperate and ruthless owner who will do anything to save his crumbling empire. Excerpt Gale leaned back, puzzled. The conversation unfolding was surreal. “You’re the best high school football coach in Texas. You’re going to be a great head coach in the League.” Voss and Johnson smiled. “I don’t understand,” Gale said. “We’re offering you the head coaching job of the San Antonio Lone Stars,” Voss said, his rheumy eyes boring into Gale’s. “This is no joke, son.” “We think you can handle it,” Johnson said. “We think you have what it takes, Gale. It’s not too big a leap.” Gale felt a trickle of sweat on his forehead. He looked for an instant beyond the two men at Tilly, who was amusing herself with her mother’s tablet. He wished Marybeth were home. She’d ask the right questions and make sense of what was unfolding. “You’re asking a high school coach in West Texas to coach the Lone Stars?” “Not just any high school football coach,” Voss said. “You’ve won seven state championships. You’re 39 years old, and you’re a fifth generation Texan, the son of a cattle rancher. You have what it takes. Besides, you played in the League. You understand the commitment.” Gale shifted in his seat. “You’re crazy. I’m not qualified.” “We think you are,” Voss said. “Besides, I've hired six different ‘highly qualified’ head coaches in fifteen seasons. Where did it get me? We haven’t made the playoffs in years. We won one football game last year. I’m placing my money on a man who holds high respect in Texas. We’re going to surround you with experienced coaches. We want you to be you. You’re a winner.” “I don’t get to pick my staff?” Gale asked. Johnson smiled and looked at Voss. “Now you’re talking like a professional football coach, Gale . . . no . . . we have a staff in place from last year,” Johnson said. “They’re good men. The failure was at the top. Haden’s gone. Their experience will be invaluable to you.” “We didn’t come to West Texas to waste our time.” Voss pulled a thick envelope out of his coat pocket. He laid the envelope on the table. He gestured to Gale. “Open it.” Gale reached over and unsealed the envelope. Slowly, he read the first page of the contract, trying to keep his hands from shaking. “We’re offering a one-year contract. Three million dollars with incentives. You turn the culture around and get the team pointed in the right direction, and we’ll extend the deal.” Gale caught his breath. He made $68,400 a year to teach math and coach football. Marybeth made $47,000 working as a special ed teacher at the elementary school. The Lone Stars were offering more money than Gale would make for the rest of his life. “Why one year?” Gale asked. “We have faith in you,” Johnson said after pausing and clearing his throat. “But one year’s what we’re offering. You prove you can win, and we’ll pay you the premium rate. This offer will never come again. You have a chance to step into the limelight. They’re only 32 of these jobs in the world. We’re giving you the chance to have one of them.” “Think about it,” Voss said, tapping his finger on the table. “Gale McClanahan, Coach of the San Antonio Lone Stars.”