High School

10 First-Year Head Coaches Who Could Win a State Championship

May 26, 2026, 1:33 PM

Decatur Eagles head coach Cliff Watkins, Pleasant Grove Hawks Jonathan Darby, an Waxahachie Indians Lawrence Williams headline first-year head coaches who could win state.

Carter Yates

10 First-Year Head Coaches Who Could Win a State Championship

These First-Year Head Coaches are Best Set Up for Instant Success

In 2025, Sheldon C.E. King head coach Cory Laxen led the Panthers from 5-5 to the first state championship in program history in his first season. Let’s predict who could be the Cory Laxen of 2026.

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