Fort Bend Hightower head coach Joseph Sam is on the move.

After leading the Hurricanes for two seasons, the Lancaster native is returning to the DFW Metroplex to take over as the head coach at Class 6A Arlington Bowie.

“The opportunity to come back home to the DFW to be closer to family was big since my Mom passed away last year,” Sam said. “The ability to work with Eric White and Bruce Chambers in Arlington ISD Athletics and the district’s investment in facilities was huge for me.”

In two seasons leading the Hurricanes, Sam’s squads posted a combined 11-10 record. While playing in one of the state’s toughest districts in 2020 (Class 5A Division I), Hightower advanced to the regional semifinals for the first time since playing for the Class 6A state title in 2011.

“I truly love the kids and community at Hightower and it’s tough to leave this situation, but I feel like I left things better than I found it and that puts me at peace a bit,” he said. “I’m so appreciative to the kids and coaches at Hightower for buying in and supporting me the entire time, that investment they’ve made makes it really hard.”

Sam spent time as an assistant at Mesquite Poteet and Mansfield Legacy before heading to Houston in the spring of 2019 to take over at Hightower. He was considered one of the state’s bright young assistant coaches and after two seasons leading the ‘Canes he’s more than proven his ability to lead a program.

Sam takes over an Arlington Bowie program that has been among the most consistent winners in DFW, making the playoffs in 14 of the last 15 years; Bowie made two runs to the regional finals and four other trips to the regional semifinals during that run.

The Volunteers posted an 8-2 record and advanced to the Class 6A-Division II area playoffs in 2020.

Sam will take over for Danny DeArman, who left to take over the head coaching and athletic director position at Joshua.