Merkel's Kates leaving to become OC at DFW program

Merkel athletic director/head football coach Will Kates has announced that he’d be stepping down from his role to become the offensive coordinator at Eagle Mountain High School, which will begin varsity football in 2024 as a Class 4A-Division II program. 

Kates took over in 2021 as the head coach at MHS, becoming the third Kates brother at the time to become a head coach as older brother Ged Kates is currently head coach Richland and Matt Kates at the time was the head coach at La Grange. Matt Kates has since moved on to join the staff at Abilene Wylie.