Steve Van Meter resigns at Hutto

In a surprise move on Tuesday afternoon DCTF learned that Hutto head coach Steve Van Meter resigned his post after five seasons leading the Hippos.

“I am going back home to Friendswood, I’m going to be going into private business with my sons and I just felt like it was time to go home. Today was tough,” an emotional Van Meter told DCTF via phone.

In 2011 Van Meter retired after 20 years leading his alma mater, Friendswood, before taking over at Hutto in 2013. Coach Van Meter leaves Central Texas with a 187-101-1 record overall as a head coach, including a 39-20 mark in his five years in the Austin area. The 2017 season was an outstanding leading the Hippos, as Hutto posted an 11-2 mark and looked to be on paper one of the state’s top teams heading into 2018. It is unclear at the moment if HISD will promote from within or open the job up, but from the outside looking in Hutto appears to be a very attractive gig and could get some big-name applicants if it is opened up.

Southlake Carroll interviews begin

Sources indicate interviews for the vacant Southlake Carroll head football coaching position began early this week. Indications are at least six current head coaches are interviewing and all have had success as head coaches and several have state titles on their resume. There’s also at least one DFW area coordinator who is interviewing as well. There’s no word as of yet on what the timetable for Carroll ISD will be to find the replacement to Hal Wasson but expect this process to move along quickly as Spring Ball approaches.

Shaun McDowell to remain at Richmond Foster

Right before spring break, DCTF broke the news that Richmond Foster head coach Shaun McDowell had accepted a player personnel role at Baylor University. McDowell, who had turned the Falcons into a power in the Houston area, would have been the latest TXHSFB coach to move to the college ranks.  However, on Monday McDowell in a post on Twitter confirmed that he would indeed remain leading the Falcons as his principal accepted his request to remain at Richmond Foster. This now leaves the Richmond George Ranch opening as the most high profile job still open in Greater Houston.

Brewer lands Todd Peterman

Early Monday morning, former DeSoto head coach Todd Peterman was named the new head football coach/athletic director at White Settlement Brewer. Peterman, who posted a 32-8 record at DeSoto in three years also led the Eagles to their first state title in school history in 2016. Peterman’s last 10 months in DeSoto were marred by questions about if his contract would be renewed and that left a cloud over the Eagles in 2017. Despite the distractions DeSoto did post a 10-2 mark in 2017, but Peterman in mid-January tendered his resignation to DeSoto ISD. This was done according to Peterman to allow time for DeSoto to begin their search for a new coach and to allow himself ample time to test the market. Since then Peterman had been the biggest free agent TXHSFB coach on the market. Brewer, who has made the playoffs three straight years but has yet to earn a playoff win, has excellent facilities and is in a good location just west of Fort Worth. Peterman will be the athletic director too, unlike at DeSoto where he was just the football coach. In addition, it’s very likely Coach Peterman will be able to bring the majority of his staff from DeSoto to Brewer if those assistants choose to go.

Crowley nearing a hire

Crowley ISD began the second round of interviews on Monday for the vacant position of head football coach at Crowley High. DCTF has learned the five candidates were in Crowley on Monday for the second round of interviews and three finalists were brought in Tuesday for the final round of interviews. The three finalists include two current head coaches in the DFW area and one coordinator in the DFW area. Originally a decision was set to come down by the board meeting on Thursday March 22, however reports are a special board meeting will have to be called next week to name the new coach.

 

A legend returns home

Although Dallas Roosevelt hasn’t impressed on the football field in recent years, the Mustangs have a proud history and they reached back to that history on Tuesday with the hiring of Dallas Skyline defensive assistant and Roosevelt alum Aaron Wallace. If the Wallace name rings a bell, it could because you remember him from his days on the Texas A&M “Wrecking Crew” defense when he set many school records that still stand to this day. Wallace’s time in College Station is fondly remembered by Aggies worldwide, but he also had a solid NFL career where he spent nine seasons in the Raiders organization. Coach Wallace who has spent several years as an assistant will try and rebuild his alma mater in Class 4A Division II starting in 2018.

Pearsall finalists

Pearsall brought in four finalists for final interviews this week for the vacancy left by David Silva when he departed for Cotulla, the finalists include a DFW area assistant, two assistant coaches in the San Antonio area and a head coach in West Texas. A name should be presented to the school board at the board meeting next Thursday March 29.

Droddy resigns at Trinity

On Tuesday morning DCTF learned that Trinity head coach Eric Droddy resigned his post.

“I talked to the kids and coaches this morning and let them know I was resigning. I think it’s best for everyone that a change is made, I’m going to remain on until the end of the year to help with the transition and then see what happens after that,” Droddy told DCTF. He posted a 6-15 mark in two years leading his alma mater.

Coaching clinics

With the off-season starting that means it’s also clinic season throughout the state of Texas,  here’s a listing of clinics from around the state, if we don’t have you clinic listed e-mail it to us at matt.stepp@texasfootball.com

May 5-6: Best Little Clinic in Texas, Wingate Hotel and Conference Center, Round Rock http://www.hcfc-blc.com

May 25-26: Gateway to Mexico Clinic, Laredo

June 12-14: Angelo Coaches Clinic, San Angelo http://www.angelofootballclinic.com/index.html

July 22-25: 2018 THSCA Convention & Coaching School, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio http://www.thsca.com/convention