At top, new Bullard High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Shannon Wilson is pictured with his wife of nine years, Kristi, their five year-old son, Brody and seven year-old, daughter, Megan. At right, Wilson goes out to meet a bigplay for the Dragons, with one of his former players at Southlake Carroll. The BISD school board wasted little time, four minutes and ten seconds to be exact, to elect a new athletic director and head football coach.

There will be an air of Southlake Carroll ‘in-the-house’ at Panther Stadium, as defensive coordinator, Shannon Wilson has accepted the BISD Athletic Director and head football coaches position, after a unanimous vote at last weeks board meeting.

When asked to pinpoint one immediate change he’d like to see in his Panthers, is a commitment to becoming stronger and faster.

“We need to build on the successes that we have had and are having in our athletic department right now,” Wilson said about the basketball teams current firstplace spots.

(Courtesy Photos) ”We are definitely not going to overhaul our successful programs, while at the same time working hard to be innovative and non-complacent.”

Every coach has their own philosophy of what a team is about......and what builds success. Wilson agreed wholeheartedly.

”TEAM to me means everyone involved has a vital and important roll in the success of all,” said the new mentor, “and we expect to build champion people with strong work-ethics, character, and responsible students, which in turn, will build champion teams.”

Not only has Wilson had great success with the Dragons, but it was Southlake that ended Wilson and Irving High School in 2003. “That 2003 team at Irving, we had a State Championship contender team,” continued Wilson, “but we ironically lost in the 4th round to Southlake Carroll.” During the interviewing process, 120-plus applicants were narrowed down to 20. From that 20, six were invited in for the ‘grand tour’ from superintendent, Keith Bryant.

Below right, Wilson is pictured after a Dragons playoff win last season, with his assistant coach, and son Brody. Wilson comes to BHS after three years as the defensive coordinator for the nationally prominent, Southlake Carroll Dragons. ”Mr. Bryant, Mrs. Hughes and the interview committee were very much integral parts in my interest to come to Bullard,” said the Lubbock native, “and we are very excited and optimistic about the future of Bullard Athletics.

“But we are also tremendously excited to work with such a superior administration,” Wilson added.

When asked about a game against his former offensive coordinator at Southlake, Coach Carl Poe, now the Spring Hill AD, Wilson smiled and gleamed with brotherly pride..

“I would love to in the future, but at the time of Coach Poe and I being hired, there were some scheduling commitments already in place that would not allow us to compete.”

Faith and family are mainstays in the Wilson household as well.

”I am very lucky to have a outstanding coach’s wife, Kristy, said Wilson about his family. “We have a seven- year-old daughter, Megan, who can give Hanna Montana a run for her money!!!”

The new BHS AD added, “We also have a five year-old son, Brody, whose favorite place is the weightroom!”

“Our kids were born in week 11 and week 10 in play-off years,” added Wilson.

Not sure if the Wilson’s have plans on another child, but they have great timing, we hope to enjoy in Bullard sometime!