Texas High School officially has a new athletic director and head football coach in Gerry Stanford. A native of Shreveport, La., Stanford said it's like returning to his roots after enjoying head coaching success at Class 6A Flower Mound Marcus and then 2A White Oak, where he compiled a combined record of 47-22.
Stanford replaces Barry Norton, who recently accepted the same roles at Arkansas High. Norton did not have a losing season during his 18-year tenure at THS, while advancing to the playoffs 17 times.
The TISD Board of trustees voted unanimously Monday morning to hire Stanford and held a press conference immediately afterward.
"On behalf of the TISD Board of Trustees and Administration, we are thrilled to welcome Coach Stanford to the Tiger Family," said Paul Norton, Superintendent of Schools. "He is not only a highly compassionate and committed educator, but is extremely capable of instilling in the hearts of young student athletes positive life lessons through academics, athletics and strength in character."
Board members, administrators, family, special guests, cheerleaders and members of the school band all greeted Stanford and his family to Texarkana High.
"The entire interview process the last six weeks has been comfortable with this administration," Stanford said. "It's a very humble administration, but a very well-led one that has impressed me. The dynamics of what Texas High has to offer is special, and the great kids here, and I don't just mean players.
"In regard to the athletic program there is nothing to tear down. Coach Norton did a great job here and built it to what it is. I just want to walk into those steps and continue the tradition with what has already been built. I do want to put my stamp on the program, making sure it continues to move in the right direction."
Stanford said he felt destined to be a high school coach. He said his father, Jackie Stanford, coached a state championship team in Louisiana.
The Stanford family moved in the late 1980s to Grapevine, Texas,, where Gerry finished high school. After graduating from the University of North Texas, he began his coaching career at Grapevine Faith Christian School. He also had positions at Grapevine High School and L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas.
Opportunity knocked at Stanford's door in 2012 when he moved to White Oak for three years. He posted a 22-5 record over his last two seasons, including a 2A state semifinal loss to eventual state champion Cameron Yoe, 24-21.
It was on to Marcus after that, where he was 5-5 his first season competing with the likes of Allen and the Plano schools. His Marauders went 10-2 the next season, the most wins the school had since a state championship season in 1997. Marcus was in a district last year with powerhouses Southlake Carroll and Euless Trinity.
Stanford has been highly praised for his successes in the classroom and on the field. He received a distinguished teacher award at L.D. Bell.
Stanford was the District 9-2A Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2013; he was a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl Coach in 2013 and 2014; and the Dallas Cowboys honored him in 2015 as a Whataburger Coach of the Week.
He was also a Semper Fi Coach in 2015, which is awarded by the U.S. Marines Corp and Glazier Football Clinics to high school football coaches who display faithfulness to the mission of their team and exemplify the Marine standard of excellence in developing leaders.
Marcus' memorable 2015 season also made Stanford a finalist for the Tom Landry Coach of the Year. He was the District 6-6A Co-Coach of the Year.
This past season he was an assistant coach in the U.S. Army All-American Game.
"Texas High has a long history of excellence," Stanford said. "You always want to make a program better than what it was when you got there. You want to make sure kids are walking out of here ready to go to college.
"A scoreboard doesn't dictate who we are. Ultimately, wins and losses don't make up who we are as people. I'm passionate about Texas high school football, but also passionate about the kids and their performance in the classroom. We want to make sure the four years these kids have at Texas High prepares them for real life."
Stanford didn't leak any football secrets Monday, but indicated his offense will be built around his talent. He's also likely to bring in some of his assistants from Marcus, and the Tigers will be competing this spring in 7-on-7.
He left Monday's media affair to meet with coaches and his Tigers.
"I will evaluate the staff here, but I do plan on bringing some guys with me," Stanford said. "I've already been told about some of the talent coming back, and I'm very excited to meet these kids."
Stanford is married to wife Casey and they have two children, 7-year-old Payton Grace and 4-year-old Tate.
The Tigers' new coach said his goal is to be at Texas High long enough to coach Tate.