With the departure of Wichita Falls Memorial head coach Marc Bindel to Celina, the Mavericks are now looking for a new head football coach.

Who are some candidates we’d reach out to if we were Wichita Falls ISD athletic director Devon Dorris?
 

Names listed below are in alphabetical order

Ross Dillard, DC Wichita Falls Memorial: If Wichita Falls ISD athletic director decides to keep things in-house, hiring defensive coordinator Ross Dillard may be the play at Wichita Falls Memorial. Dillard has served as Memorial’s DC the past two seasons and prior to that was Marc Bindel’s DC at Wichita Falls Rider. This staff at Memorial, a large number of whom were on staff at Rider have been part of a lot of successful football teams so keeping the staff intact could be the play.

Josh Kirkland, Former HS and College HC: Kirkland, a native of Levelland has coached all over Texas, he’s had stops as a head coach at Kyle Lehman and El Paso Parkland, before jumping into the college game in 2018 when he joined the staff at the University of Incarnate Word. In 2020, Kirkland became the head coach at Division II New Mexico Highlands where he remained for two seasons, before spending one season as the head coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State. In 2023, Kirkland became the general manager at the University of North Texas where he spent two seasons before taking a job outside of coaching last year. Kirkland has been linked to multiple high school jobs this off-season cycle so a call here for a bigger name might be in play for the West Texas native.

Cody Slater, HC Benbrook: Slater, a native of Olney has spent plenty of time in Wichita Falls as he was an assistant coach at Hirschi in the late 90s. He got his shot to be a head coach in Miles in 2010, before  leading Hirschi for three seasons from 2011-2013. In 2014, Slater came to the Fort Worth area to begin football program at Benbrook High School. In 2016, the Bobcats made their varsity debut and Slater has led them to the playoffs six times, including a remarkable 11-2 mark in 2024. Slater could be ready to return to his roots and Memorial would be a good landing spot.

Eric Ward, HC Lubbock Estacado: Ward, a native of Wichita Falls and Texas Tech legend has done great work in the same town where he played his college football, posting a 15-9 record in two seasons leading Lubbock Estacado. If he’s looking to make a move back to his hometown, Wichita Falls Memorial may be a great opportunity for Ward who was an assistant coach in the area at Wichita Falls City View and Burkburnett.

Wes Wood, HC Merkel: If familiarity is what WFISD Devon Dorris is looking for, Merkel AD/HFC Wes Wood may bring that level of familiarity. Wood, who served as Dorris’ offensive coordinator when Dorris was the long-time head coach at Azle got his shot to be a head coach out in West Texas at Snyder in 2019. In 2021, he took the Tigers to a 9-4 mark and a regional semifinal appearance. He’s spent the past two seasons at Merkel where he authored an incredible turnaround. After going 0-10 in his first season in 2024, Merkel posted a 7-5 mark last year and advanced to the area playoffs.