🏈 Region 1 Coaching Carousel: 2025 Football Season Brings Major Sideline Shifts

With the 93rd Annual THSCA Coach School kicking off it feels like the perfect opportunity to recap this years coaching changes here in West Texas. As of mid-July, there have been over 235 head coaching changes across UIL Class 6A through 2A schools statewide and many of those are right here in Region 1. With the first practices of the 2025 Texas high school football season just weeks away, let's look at the 21 programs in our area who will be under new leadership.

From program legends stepping away to young coordinators getting their shot, here's a rundown of the coaching changes by classification.

🔺 Class 5A

Lubbock Monterey Plainsmen

Outgoing: Judd Thrash (7–5 in 2024)

Incoming: Jason Sims

Thrash led Monterey to a district championship and an area-round playoff appearance last fall, but his tenure was cut short following an offseason DWI arrest. The Plainsmen promote OC Jason Sims, a seasoned head coach with a career record of 100–47 from previous stops at Quanah and Childress.

🔺 Class 4A

Pecos Eagles

Outgoing: Armando Martinez (3–8)

Incoming: Tony Pallanez

Martinez served as interim in 2024, but Pecos looked outside the program to bring in former El Paso Riverside HC and Saginaw DC Tony Pallanez. His borderland ties and playoff experience make this a strong hire.

Fort Stockton Panthers

Outgoing: Jeremy Hickman (25–9)

Incoming: DJ Howell

Hickman returns to the Houston area to lead 6A Cy Woods after a strong run at his alma mater. In his place, Fort Stockton brings in DJ Howell from Sterling City, where he previously led a perennial contender in Class 1A.

🔺 Class 3A Division I

River Road Wildcats

Outgoing: Bryan Welps (5–7)

Incoming: Aaron Wampler

Welps steps away from River Road after two different tenures spanning 14 total seasons to take a coordinator role at AISD. The Wildcats hired Clarendon’s Aaron Wampler, who’s known for building physical, disciplined teams.

Iowa Park Hawks

Outgoing: Michael Swenson (3–8)

Incoming: Bryan Wood

Swenson leaves for an assistant AD role in Weatherford, and Iowa Park lands a big name in Bryan Wood, a longtime TXHSFB veteran who most recently served as OC at Wayland Baptist.

Sweetwater Mustangs

Outgoing: Russell Lucas (6–5)

Incoming: Brian Hodnett

Lucas retires after a 21-year career that included stops at Rotan, Hamlin (where he reached a state final), and Sweetwater. OC Brian Hodnett, a former Haskell HC, now steps into the lead role.

Denver City Mustangs

Outgoing: Cody McGuire (2–9)

Incoming: Doug Duncan

McGuire lasted just one season, and now Doug Duncan a former DC for the Mustangs turned administrator, returns to the sideline for his first head coaching opportunity.

Brownfield Cubs

Outgoing: Taheric Brantley (0–11)

Incoming: Lawrence Johnson

Brantley exits after two tough seasons, and Brownfield brings in former Hirschi and Wichita Falls Legacy HC Lawrence Johnson, who also had a stint leading Slaton.

🔺 Class 3A Division II

Muleshoe Mules

Outgoing: Jason Richards (6–5)

Incoming: Bo Dickinson

Richards steps away after five solid seasons to lead Frenship ISD’s new Memorial High School, which begins varsity play in 2026. Borger OC Bo Dickinson takes the reins for the Mules.

Dimmitt Bobcats

Outgoing: Johnny Nino (2–8)

Incoming: Jimmy Arias

Nino was placed on administrative leave midseason and will not return. Former Friona HC Jimmy Arias, who served as Muleshoe’s DC last season, is now the man in charge.

🔺 Class 2A Division I

Sanford-Fritch Eagles

Outgoing: Derek Schlieve (1–9)

Incoming: Brandon Bennett

Fritch is on its third head coach in three seasons. Bennett comes from Leonard, where he served as an assistant, and will take on both the AD and HFC roles.

Forsan Buffaloes

Outgoing: Jason Phillips (2–8)

Incoming: Casey Thompson

After 16 seasons, Phillips leaves Forsan with a career 88–84 record, highlighted by a 9–4 season in 2016. The Buffs now turn to Thompson, looking to revitalize the program.

Anson Tigers

Outgoing: Cory McCombs (8–4)

Incoming: Kyle Wheeler

McCombs moves on after a successful playoff run in 2024. OC Kyle Wheeler is promoted to AD/HFC after helping engineer a high-powered Tigers offense.

Ballinger Bearcats

Outgoing: Ty Lang (5–6)

Incoming: Bryan Gayoso

Lang departs for a role at Stephenville after leading Ballinger to the playoffs. Longtime assistant Bryan Gayoso gets the internal promotion.

Olney Cubs

Outgoing: Chris Tobola (2–8)

Incoming: Dustin Altmiller

Olney makes its fourth coaching change in four years. Benbrook OC Dustin Altmiller was hired on July 16 in hopes of stabilizing the program.

Olton Mustangs

Outgoing: Ross Lassiter (5–6)

Incoming: James Dougherty

Lassiter exits after a nine-year run (48–49 overall). OC James Dougherty is promoted to lead the Mustangs going forward.

🔺 Class 2A Division II

Morton Indians

Outgoing: Keith Mauldin (3–8)

Incoming: Trevor Bulmer

Mauldin resigns after leading Morton to the area round in 2023 to become the Offensive Coordinator at Hale Center. Defensive Coordinator Trevor Bulmer was promoted on Feb. 5.

Haskell Indians

Outgoing: Mitch McLemore (4–6)

Incoming: Creighton Henderson

McLemore retires after 11 seasons as a head coach across Texas. Wellington OC Creighton Henderson steps in as AD/HFC.

Roscoe Plowboys

Outgoing: Jake Freeman (4–6)

Incoming: Daniel Loyd

Freeman led Roscoe to nine playoff appearances in 12 years and three regional semifinal runs. Former Seymour HC Dan Loyd takes over after a strong run in the Big Country.

Winters Blizzards

Outgoing: Matt McCarty (2–8)

Incoming: Ryan Pannell

McCarty resigns to become DC at New Home after going 32–73 in ten seasons. Sonora assistant and former Dumas baseball coach Ryan Pannell was hired May 19.

🔚 Final Thoughts

With nearly two dozen coaching changes across Region 1, the 2025 football season will bring plenty of fresh faces to familiar sidelines. For some programs, it’s about stability. For others, it’s the hopes of a total culture reboot. Either way, the storylines are set, and the countdown to kickoff is officially on.