After eight masterful years as the head girls soccer coach at Texas High, Dustin Holly has accepted the boys soccer coach position at Wichita Falls Rider.
Holly had assistant at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, and he also served as interim boys head coach for a season at Wichita Falls Hirschi High School.
"Wichita Falls is home. My son's there, and this is a program I played for," Holly said about returning to Rider High School. "They're traditionally a power in the state, often a top 10 team. I have had an awesome time coaching the girls side, but when it came open I said, 'I've got to throw my name in the hat.'"
Holly has spent the last 8 years at Texas High as the head girls soccer coach, and his teams and individual players wrote and rewrote the school record books.
"This was my first big time job, at Texas High," Holly said. "It's been a fast 8 years; it's been fun. Everyday has been fun, and the teams we've had have worked so hard, we've built it up, especially here in East Texas, but recently around the state, as well. It's hard to leave.
"It was not an easy decision. I love these girls, and I've made a lot of lifetime friendships here."
During his time at the Lady Tigers' coach, Holly amassed a record of 130-40-16. THS was in the playoffs all eight years, and in 2013 the team was ranked in the TGCA top 10 for eight weeks, reaching as high as No. 3 in 5A. In 2013, the Tiger reached the sectional finals and finished with a school record 22-3-1.
Texas High claimed four consecutive district titles from 2010-2013 under Holly.
Holly credits Pam Stone, his assistant, for all her hard work and contributions.
"She's done a great job taking care of us," Holly said about Stone. "(Former athletic director) Barry Norton, as well, for taking a chance on me as a 25-year-old coach. I also wanted to thank (Superintendent) Paul Norton, (Principal) Brad Bailey and (athletic director) Gerry Stanford. I think Coach Stanford will do great things here at Texas High."