DeSoto assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Paul Beattie was announced as the next head coach at Woodrow Wilson High School by Dallas ISD on Wednesday.

Beattie replaces John Fish who resigned in February to take over as head coach at Frisco Heritage.

Beattie, a native of Eagle Pass, began his coaching career in his hometown where he coached middle school basketball, but he’s best known for his time in DeSoto where he’s been a mainstay under three different head coaches since 2012. He’s been part of three state title winning coaching staffs in 2022 and 2023.

“Getting this position is an honor," Beattie said. "Obviously being a head coach was the next step in my journey and I’m excited.

"It was a very thorough interview process. I had a good vibe with the principal Ms. Barnett. There’s strong support on campus and in the community. she’s been great to work with, and MT Tyeskie from Dallas ISD athletics has been great as well. I wouldn’t have taken the job if I didn’t have a good feeling about the situation."

He has also spent time as an assistant coach at Galveston Ball, Austin LBJ, Austin Travis and Pflugerville Connally.

Beattie, who arrived at DeSoto when Eagles head coach Claude Mathis was hired for his first stint in 2008, returned to Austin for three years before returning to DeSoto in 2012.

“Leaving DeSoto is really tough," said Beattie, who starts his new job on March 24. "It’s family. I’ve been there so long it was going to take a good situation for me to leave and I think Woodrow has that chance. We’ve got to work our butts off. They’ve been a good team, but if we work, can make it even better.

“I want to meet every football player I can on Day 1. We’ve got to work on building those relationships and then I’ve got to work on building the best staff that I can."