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October 26, 2023

Athletics director retiring after 11 year tenure in position

Video by Abby Foster and Caroline Yeager.

Alex Nicoll
Editor-in-Chief
@NicollMac

Athletics director John Crawford works in his office in the field house on Feb. 20. Crawford is retiring at the end of summer after a 38 year career in education.
Athletics director John Crawford works in his office in the field house on Feb. 20. Crawford is retiring at the end of summer after a 38 year career in education.

After a storied 11-year career as the Coppell Independent School District athletics director, John Crawford officially announced his retirement on Thursday.

Crawford initially discussed his retirement with Coppell ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip three weeks ago but turned in his official resignation a week ago. However, he will remain in position until Aug. 31.

After he steps down from being the district’s athletic coordinator, Crawford plans to enjoy his retirement with no intention of pursuing another athletic director position or head coaching job. He does say that he “might do something part time”.

“I had often wondered when I would know it was time for me to make a change, and I definitely had a feeling it was time to do that,” Crawford said. “I’ve had a great 11 years here, and I’ve been in education for 38 years now, so I feel it is time to do that. I have grandchildren that I want to be able to go to their activities more than I am able to do right now.”

Crawford’s time in Texas schools has spanned decades and have included him being a head football coach and athletic director.

As a coach, with stops at Tatum High School and Plano East High School, Crawford ranks in the top 100 coaches in Texas high school football history with a total of 189 wins, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. With a winning tradition, Crawford’s favorite part was not necessarily the wins but what the wins did for the town.

“Seeing how the community comes together when athletic groups are successful is special to me when I see that occurring and that is part of what the athletic department is suppose to do,” Crawford said.

Crawford’s tenure at Coppell has been filled with multiple accomplishments including four University Interscholastic League (UIL) state championships and the hiring of high profile coaches such as former football coaches Bob Shipley and Joe McBride, volleyball coach Julie Green, boys soccer coach Chad Rakestraw and girls soccer coach Chris Stricker.

The four championships include back-to-back Class 5A state titles in volleyball (2011, 2012), girls soccer (2009) and boys soccer (2012).

“The one thing I have always tried to do is understand and remember what it’s like to be in a coaches shoes and for me to support them the best I could do,” Crawford said. “I always thought it was part of my job to take any obstacles out of the way for them.”

CHS baseball coach Kendall Clark, one of the longest tenured coach still remaining at the Coppell High School, agreed that Crawford’s accessibility and personal attitude have been the best facets of working for him.

“It’s been a good experience,” Clark said. “The bottom line is that he will do whatever it takes to make you successful.You didn’t feel threatened going into [his office] and asking for something for your program.”

His persona on the job mimics his personality outside the office as a soft-spoken and loyal individual.

“He is a great person. All the qualities you would want in a great person: very professional, very dependable, very reliable,” Clarke said. “If you ever would want to have a conversation about something, he’s not above and will certainly have a conversation with you.”

As of now, there are no potential candidates, and there is no word on if the position will be filled in house or filled from the outside.

“No one within our staff has told me explicitly that they are going to apply for the job,” Crawford said.

However, Crawford thinks the district will find a candidate before the Aug. 31 deadline.

“They are going to have someone in place before the end of the school year so that there is an overlap between myself and that person so I can show them how we have done things in the past,” Crawford said.

With such a storied career, one might have some regrets; things they would have done differently if they could. However for Crawford, his time at Coppell and his other stops have been influential and purposeful in his career and life.

“I love everything I have done and I wouldn’t change anything about my career,” Crawford said. “I have been extremely blessed to have worked with so many young people and great coaches and administrators. I hope I have had a positive impact.”

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