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Devon Dorris said he wants to help return Azle football to its glory days. Dorris, a player on some of those successful Azle High playoff teams of the 1990s, was hired as the school’s next football coach after a long closed-door session during Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
Dorris graduated from AHS in 1995. He later returned to serve as freshman head coach and then secondary coach for the varsity until 2006, when he took a job as secondary coach at Boswell High School. He has served as that school’s defensive coordinator the past three years.
Superintendent Dr. Ray Lea and athletic director Scott Anderson were two members of a five-member search committee that sorted through 135 applicants for a successor to head football coach Eddie Paul, who resigned last month after three years at the helm. Lea said that although Dorris – only 30 years old – was not the most experienced or successful coach to apply, he was the “right man” for the job. “To me, what set him apart was his enthusiasm,” Lea said. “I think he bleeds Hornet green. I think he’ll get people fired up about being an Azle Hornet again. We’re excited.” Anderson, who coached with Dorris on the Hornet staff several years ago, was no less glowing in his endorsement.
“No one was more passionate about wanting this job,” Anderson said. “I really think this is the right guy for this position.” Anderson said the fact that Dorris is so young and has never been a head coach before may actually be an advantage for a Hornet program that needs “a fresh start.” “We don’t necessarily need someone in here who’s been doing it the same way for the past 20 years,” Anderson said. “We needed someone with energy and enthusiasm. He’s got a passion to be here. And he’s also a pretty good Xs and Os guy.” Anderson said when Dorris played here, he was almost like another coach on the field. Dorris received sparkling references from his employers at Boswell High School, Anderson noted, getting strong marks for his work with both players and parents. “And nobody worked harder than he did,” Anderson said. Dorris said he appreciates the opportunity to get the head coaching job he’s been “dreaming about the past 20 years.” “I’m really excited,” he said. Dorris and his family moved to Azle when he was in the sixth grade. He played one year of AYA football before moving through the junior high and high school ranks. He was a class 4A 1st team All-State defensive back his senior year after earning All-District honors as a junior. He played football at Tarleton State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999. He went on to achieve a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while earning a Masters in Educational Administration from Tarleton in 2004 before returning to his alma mater as a coach and teacher. Dorris acknowledged that his youth might be seen as a detriment to some. However, some well-known coaches – both in college and professionally – have gotten their starts at age 30 or 31, he said. “Every coach needs a first opportunity,” he said. He said he learned plenty while playing for Buddy Brock and assisting Gary Rushing – two of the most successful Azle coaches in recent memory, both of whom led the Hornets to multiple playoff appearances. Being a good listener has served him well, he said. Azle won its last two games this year – including a defeat of arch-rival Springtown – and returns a solid core of experienced players, but Dorris refrained from making predictions. “I haven’t even seen any of the kids yet,” he said. However, he said his teams would play with effort and enthusiasm. He added that he believes in leading by example, for both his students and his staff. “I expect our coaches to bring a positive attitude to work every day,” he said. The board voted 7-0 to hire Dorris for the job. “I’m excited about the decision that was made,” said board member Jeff Edwards. “It says a lot for Azle that we have a nationwide search – get 135 applicants – and the best candidate for the job is right here next door and has come from Azle.” Anderson, who took over as Azle’s athletic director only last month, said he’s glad to have his most important goal – hiring a new head football coach – out of the way. Although all sports are important, having a successful football program sets the tone for a district’s entire athletic culture, he said. “When Eddy Paul (former coach) resigned, it was time to get the best guy for Azle,” he said. “And I think we did.” Dorris will be paid $68,000 per year. Dorris’ wife, Keri, a Springtown High School graduate who also taught at Azle for several years, is now an English teacher at Boswell High. They have two sons – Dane, 7 and Drew, 5. |
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