An intriguing job in Texoma has opened up after Brent Whitson stepped down to become the Celina ISD Athletic Director.

Who are some candidates we’d call if we were the Denison ISD Superintendent?

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order

Brady Carney, Head Coach Muenster: Carney had racked up an impressive resume in 16 years at Muenster. He’s won three state titles (2017, 2024 and 2025) with a 182-38 overall record. His son Casen was the signal-caller for the last two state titles and is graduating, so if there’s a time for Carney to make the move to a bigger school, a move east on Highway 82 could be in play.

Mike Dunn, Head Coach, Midwest City Carl Albert OK: Dunn has been a head coach for nine seasons in Oklahoma. He spent four seasons at Del City where he posted a 26-18 record. He moved across town in 2021 to Carl Albert High School where he’s rolled up a 64-5 record in five seasons and led CAHS to state titles the past four seasons. Dunn has extensive ties in Texas. Before going back to his native Oklahoma, he spent time as the defensive coordinator at White Settlement Brewer; he was also an assistant coach at Rockdale and Los Frensos. If Dunn is to make a move back to Texas, Denison located just south of the Red River might be a great landing spot in the Lone Star State.

Brian Lilly, Head Coach Nashville Lawson, TN: Lilly is a Denison native who played his college football at Texas State. He was a former assistant on staff at Denison before going to Tennessee when now-Plano head coach Cody White left Denison to take a job in Tennessee. Lilly has spent the past three seasons as the head coach as Nashville Lawson, which opened in 2023. If Denison wants to hire someone who knows the community inside and out, Lilly could be the move and he’s gained three valuable seasons as a head coach.

Marvin Sedberry, Jr. Head Coach, Terrell: Sedberry, Jr. has a tremendous gig in Terrell where he’s the athletic director/head football coach. He led the Tigers to a 12-1 record a year ago and he led the Tigers to a regional semifinal appearance in 2022 as well. He spent much of his childhood in Denison where his father Marvin Sedberry, Sr. was on staff during Denison’s glory days. Those ties could be a draw for Denison administration to give Sedberry, Jr. a call.

Todd Wallis, Defensive Coordinator Denison: If Denison stays with an internal hire, look for the ‘Jackets defensive coordinator Todd Wallis to get a look. He’s the most experienced coordinator on staff and with some the exciting young talent on the way, Denison may choose to stay internal and keep continuity within the program and give Coach Wallis the chance to lead his own program.