Texas High Introduces Gerry Stanford as Next AD + Head Football Coach

For the first time this millennium, a new man will be patrolling the sidelines as the Texas High Tigers head football coach. And he's no stranger to the East Texas region.

Texarkana ISD officially announced the hiring of Gerry Stanford as Texas High School's new athletic director on Monday morning.

Stanford, who served in the same capacity at White Oak from 2011-13, has spent the previous three seasons as head coach at Flower Mound Marcus, a Class 6A program in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

He replaces Barry Norton, who led the Texas High program from 1999 until his departure last month for Texarkana city rival Arkansas High.

"On behalf of the TISD Board of Trustees and Administration, we are thrilled to welcome Coach Stanford to the Tiger family," Paul Norton, Texarkana ISD Superintendent, said in a statement.

"He is not only a highly compassionate and committed educator, but is extremely capable of instilling in the hearts of young student athletes positive life lessons through academics, athletics, and strength of character."

While at White Oak, Stanford compiled a 27-10 record, and led the Roughnecks to the Class 2A Division I state semifinals in 2013. It was the school's first trip to the semifinals since 1970.

Stanford then moved on to Marcus, and guided the Marauders to a 20-12 record.

His other coaching stops include stints as an assistant as Grapevine and Hurst L.D. Bell high schools.

Barry Norton transformed Texas High into one of East Texas' most successful and consistent programs in his 18 seasons. His overall record was 156-52-1, and won a state championship in 2002.

Texas High qualified for the playoffs in 17 of Barry Norton’s 18 years. He orchestrated the best five-year run in school history from 2002-06 when the Tigers posted a record of 58-8.

The Tigers finished 10-1 last season, its first perfect regular season since 2006. Texas High was eliminated by West Mesquite in the first round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.