Mineola's Steve Wells named Jacksonville head coach and athletic director

Experience set him apart, superintendent says

BY JEREME HUBBARD

Staff Writer

The Jacksonville ISD Board of Trustees named Steve Wells as their new athletic director and head football coach during a special meeting held Thursday morning.  Coach Wells had been the athletic director and football coach at Mineola High School, leading the Yellowjackets to the playoffs in 2007. 

Jacksonville ISD Superintendent Stuart Bird said that of the four finalists, Wells’ experience is what set him apart from the rest of the candidates.

 “Of our finalists, one dropped out on his own, and the other three were all quality coaches,” Mr. Bird said. “At the end of the day, it was my call on who to bring before the school board, and Coach Wells’ experience leading an entire athletic program in the past is what really set him apart.” 

The hiring process at Jacksonville created interest with area residents, as Jacksonville ISD hired the Dallas consulting firm “Champions” to assist them in their search.  The firm narrowed the applicants down to 13 before interviewing the candidates in Dallas, and then gave Mr. Bird a list of four candidates for him to consider.  Mr. Bird brought those four finalists in front of the panel that had the responsibility of finding the next coach.

The other finalists were Darrell Jordan, formerly the coach at Dallas Kimball; Jason Holman, a Jacksonville graduate who is an assistant at Jersey Village and Chad Rogers of Snyder, who withdrew his name from consideration.  Coach Wells will be replacing Randy Copeland who took an administrative job at Arp High School.  He will begin his duties at Jacksonville April 14.