This Week in TXHSFB: Waller Makes a Splash; Major 2A Changes

Alvin’s journey to find a head coach
The head coaching position at Alvin High has been open since December 20 when Buddy Hardin resigned after one winless season. It appeared Alvin ISD had its guy in late February when former University of South Carolina assistant Kirk Botkin was hired and presented at a board meeting. Alvin ISD even sent out photos of Botkin and his family at the board meeting, but just a day later the social media posts were removed and word filtered out that Alvin was back in search of a new head football coach as apparently Botkin decided against taking the job. Before spring break, DCTF learned there was apparently a new candidate who AISD had targeted for the head coaching vacancy and would be named to the position upon returning from the holiday. That head coach was a veteran of coaching and extensive ties to the area, however late last week that coach advised multiple sources that he was not pursuing that vacancy any further. Sources are indicating to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, that a hire will likely not be made until April 9 which would mean the Alvin job would be open for well over three months.

Cy Ranch’s Gene Johnson to Waller
In a move we hinted at in last week’s edition of This Week in TXHSFB, Waller sent shockwaves through the Houston area naming Cypress Ranch head coach Gene Johnson as its next head football coach replacing Jim Phillips who is now Waller ISD athletic director. Johnson spent nine seasons at Cypress Ranch posting an impressive 77-30 record, including leading the Mustangs to the 2013 6A Division I state title game and an 11-1 mark in 2018. Johnson’s departure leaves a major opening in the Houston area. Despite Cy Ranch being impacted by the opening of Bridgeland High School, it’s still a quality job in a school district that is considered maybe the best large ISD in the state for football top-to-bottom. Cy-Fair ISD has made a habit of typically promoting from within when head coaching openings happen inside the district, but this job could be the exception as many quality applicants from across the state are expected.