Jan. 22: Allen will hire Waco Midway Derek Alford as offensive coordinator according to David Smoak of ESPN Waco. Alford joins newly named Allen head coach Terry Gambill, who was approved Monday evening. Gambill (Garland graduate) and Alford (South Garland grad) have been a good team in leading Midway to the 5A Division I state final in 2011 (lost to Lake Travis) and a 68-13 record in six years. Cody Gambill (Allen 2007) also will join his dad's staff at Allen. Cody has coached cornerbacks the last two years at Midway after coaching at Trophy Club Byron Nelson .. Previously Southlake Carroll elevated Mark Humble to offensive coordinator to replace Clayton George ... Nike announcing 7-on-7 leagues for five cities (none in Texas) but it's the pilot to entrench sports apparel influence on Texas high school football ... When Nike plays 7-on-7 it like "showcase teams" not by school, which is what has spurred Texas success in passing the last two decades ... If UIL and #txhsfb let it happen, it'll happen as in other sports where clubs/select/apparel funded team dominate the calendar ... Arlington Sam Houston coach Anthony Criss (rebounding from heart attack on sideline last season) says his status "all depends on my doctor. Health is an issue currently. Everyone is saying that I'm retiring, I AM NOT RETIRING!!!."
Jan. 21: Todd Ford, a longtime protege of Texas high school football icon Todd Dodge, has been announced as Lovejoy's new football coach.
"Todd is a man of integrity, exemplifies strong football knowledge, and owns a proven track record of leading successful football programs," said Ted Moore, the LISD superintendent in a release. "(Ford) rose to the top as the unequivocal best choice. I cannot wait for our kids and parents to get the opportunity to meet Coach Ford and his family."
The 44-year-old Ford is expected to meet with the Lovejoy staff and players Thursday. Ford opened Cedar Ridge in 2010 after being hired Todd Dodge’s offensive coordinator for three years at North Texas. Cedar Ridge is 26-19 in its first four seasons (three forfeit losses in 2014). Since going 4-6 during its 2012 debut, Cedar Ridge has been a playoff qualifier the last three season and won first-round playoff games in 2013 and 2015, when Cedar Ridge (10-2) shared the District 13-6A championship with Round Rock and Hendrickson.
Before going with Dodge to North Texas, Ford was the offensive coordinator for Southlake Carroll's 2004, 2005 and 2006 state championship teams. He left for North Texas when Southlake Carroll's head coach, Todd Dodge, was hired after the 2006 season.
Former Lovejoy coach Ryan Cox was reassigned after two years following last season. Lovejoy advanced to the playoffs under Cox but didn't advance past the second round in a community with high expectations just a few miles away from Allen's powerhouse program.
Texas High School Football Coaching Changes
School, Old Coach, New Coach
- South Garland, Mark Cox (Health),
- Allen, Tom Westerberg, Terry Gambill
- Bishop Lynch, Ben Dasch
- Sherman, Bill Patterson
- Molina, Bradley Wachsmann, Michael Nucci
- FW Castleberry, Sandro Cantu
- Trophy Club Byron Nelson, Brian Polk (Leading contender)
- Lovejoy, Ryan Cox, Todd Ford
- Flower Mound, Dane Johnson,
- Tyler Lee, Darrell Piske, Clayton George (Southlake Carroll OC)
- Fort Worth Southwest Christian, Joe Hamstra, Jeremy Flowers
- Fort Worth Southwest, Larry Trammell
- Paradise, Scott Broussard, Ronnie Gage
- Salado, Brent Graham, Alan Haire returns (assistant from 1994-2000)
- Odessa, Ron King (Odessa American 4 finalists) Danny Servance
- Glen Rose, Tommy Dunn (Former Stephenville assistant Cliff Watkins of Eastland)
