Coaching Salaries in Texas
Recently the Houston Chronicle posted the top paid coaches in the Houston area and it grabbed a lot of attention from coaches and non-coaches alike. When looking at the list, I can see why.
At a time when high cost of living and the inability of teacher salaries to keep up with the pace of inflation, this seems like a shot at district spending and priorities. Maybe that was the original intent.
When this list is shared without explanation, it looks like an exposé.
When you look into it more, you get a better understanding.
Starting with the men listed, 9 out of 10 have been in education for 25 plus years. Coach Joseph has the longest tenure of 46 years. Coach Gaston has the shortest tenure, starting his coaching and teaching career in 2008. Teacher certificates are public record and can be searched here. These coaches are lifelong educators. Not only have they served their districts, athletes, and communities for a number of years, but they also give back to the profession. Many serve as directors within the Houston area, as well as our state coaches association.
Next consider what this salary entails. Each coach is not just the head football coach, but also the campus athletic coordinator. The position of the Morton Ranch Head Football Coach and Campus Coordinator was recently opened and you can see the full details of what their responsibilities include.
These positions are more on par with that of a campus administrator, or comparable to a one school district athletic director who is also the head football coach.
On the list, Coach Snelson and Coach Abseck are the athletic directors and head football coaches for their district. Every other coach listed works for a larger school district and serves as their individual campus athletic coordinator and head coach.
Speaking of enrollments, here is the enrollment of each high school represented.
Barbers Hill HS - 1920
Dickinson HS - 3009
Katy HS - 3446
Katy Tompkins HS - 3750
Morton Ranch HS - 2834
North Shore HS - 4528
Katy Taylor HS - 3038
Cypress Creek HS - 3287
Jersey Village HS - 3335
Pearland Dawson HS - 2580
All of the schools on the list are part of the largest classification in Texas, the 6A conference. Barbers Hill is the exception, but they are also a well financed district. Their teacher salary scale is one of the highest in the state.
If you look at football alone, each coach is leading five to six teams. One varsity, two junior varsity teams, and two freshmen teams. It is not uncommon for Katy HS to put together a third freshman team, and I’m sure North Shore probably could do the same.
Their duties don’t stop at football. Once football season is over, many of these coaches will tell you the offseason is when they work the hardest. Administrating on campus athletic events, working with counselors on the master schedule, evaluating and hiring coaches, let alone trying to give the football team leadership and due attention through their workouts. These coaches have a year round contract because they have year round duties that require administrative attention.
When you look at the list as what it actually is, you see it is an investment. These schools and districts understand that athletics is the first thing people see when they look for where they want their children to attend. It is no coincidence that six of the schools represented on the list are in areas experiencing tremendous growth rates.
When schools invest in athletics, you are investing in the overall success of the child and the growth of the school.
I understand why salary lists like these garner a lot of attention. Yes Texas suburban school districts pay their coaches well. I would say that these districts pay their coaches appropriately considering the expectations of the position and commenserate to their experience.
