In any realignment year the number of coaching changes in Texas high school football takes a leap and this off-season was no different as a total of 221 UIL schools from Class 6A down to Class 2A will have new coaches in the 2018 season.

Who are the teams with new leaders on the sidelines we are keeping the closest eye on when things kick off on August 30? The storylines are varied and numerous across the state and each program has different challenges ahead, but the beauty of Texas High School Football is there’s always something interesting going on in our great state! 

Is there a team or new head coach we left out that we should look at? Let us know matt.stepp@texasfootball.com.

Iraan: After playing for a state championship in 2016 and posting an impressive 12-1 record in 2015, Iraan “stumbled” to a 7-5 mark a year ago in Mark Kirchoff’s final season at the helm. Kirchoff has gone into retirement and in steps former assistant and Iraan alum Corby Maurer to direct the Braves who look to get back to powerhouse status. Five starters are back but the Braves have to contend with veteran teams in their own district with McCamey and Wink, along with Van Horn who brings back an impressive ten starters on both sides of the ball. If Iraan can survive that gauntlet a tough region awaits with the likes of Stratford, Clarendon and Gruver awaiting come playoff time.

Memphis: After a tremendous season in 2016 Memphis took a step back a year ago with a disappointing campaign at 605. The Cyclones are doing some reloading on the fly as former assistant David Juardo takes the reins in the panhandle. Memphis returns six starters on offense led by talented RB’s Andrew Alexander and Tim Anderson who combined for 29 touchdowns and 2,137 yards rushing. Alexander will anchor the defense as well, the four year starter had 167 tackles a year ago. The key for Memphis will be the health of dominant DL Brodderick Logan who missed the final half of 2017 with an injury and developing a QB to take the reins.

Meridian: Meridian had one of the latest coaching changes in the state this year as in early July Chris Roberts resigned to take an assistant job at Class 4A Midlothian Heritage. That late movement left MISD in a bind, but instead of taking the usual route for a late coaching change the district elected to go outside and hired Fairfield assistant Stoney Coffman to lead their program. Coffman was hired right before the annual Texas High School Coaches Association Convention, so it’ll be very interesting to see if the Yellow Jackets can remain in playoff contention despite the late off-season adversity.

Somerville: The revolving door at Somerville continued this off-season after the late departure of head coach Darby House, who was hired at Poteet. House spent just one season leading the Yeguas posting a 2-9 record, but that’s progress as Somerville actually made a playoff appearance.  In steps Greg Bagby, a veteran of the coaching game to try and bring some stability to town as this is head coach number six since 2013. Bagby, spent 2017 as the WR’s coach at Class 3A Grandview and was a head coach at Van Vleck from 2010-2013. Coach Bagby does inherit a team that returns seven starters on both sides of the ball.