Wall Hawks Revolt Against School Board for Dissing Coach Houston Guy

WALL— Two petitions have surfaced online to reinstate two former Wall ISD coaches whom members of the Wall community feel were wrongfully removed.

Over on Change.org, two petitions have been created to reinstate both former head coach Houston Guy (follow the petition) and athletic director Jeremy Williams (follow the petition). Back in January, San Angelo LIVE! had received messages that Williams had retired and, about a week later, that Guy had resigned from being the head football coach of the perennially successful Wall Hawks high school football program.

The petition for Guy states that it was started on February 6, 2024, by WHS Anonymous. The petition reads:

"For the past 17 year as head coach, our community in Wall, TX has been privileged to have Coach Houston Guy lead our beloved Wall Hawks. Under his guidance, the team has achieved numerous victories and brought immense pride to our town. His leadership skills and dedication have not only shaped successful athletes but also responsible citizens.

"However, recently we were disheartened by the decision to remove him from his position as head coach. This abrupt change has left a void in our community and we believe it’s unjust considering his significant contributions.

"Under Coach Guy’s tenure, the Wall Hawks have consistently ranked among top high school football teams in Texas (source: Texas High School Football Rankings). His coaching style is admired by many and he is known for bringing out the best in his players both on and off the field.

"We understand that changes are inevitable but removing a figure who has been instrumental in shaping young lives seems unfair. We believe that reinstating Coach Guy would restore faith among players, parents, and fans alike.

"Therefore, we urge those responsible for this decision to reconsider their stance. Bring back Houston Guy as Head Football Coach of the Wall Hawks- for the sake of the continuity, tradition and respect towards an individual who has given so much to our community. Please sign this petition if you support this cause.

"Should you feel inclined to pursue further action on the matter, please be advised that the Wall School Board will convene for a meeting on February 14th at 7:00 a.m. It is open to the PUBLIC. All student, staff, and community members are welcome."

Coach Guy turned in his resignation on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, due to a pending reassignment within the school district.

It is worth noting that Guy has spent nearly 30 years coaching, mostly with the Wall Hawks and coached them in a state title game back in 2013.

When looking at a football coach resigning, one would think that the coach had turned in consecutive losing seasons. The last two seasons, Guy and is coordinators and assistant coaches have led the Hawks to the fourth round of the playoffs. Both seasons ended in losses to the same school, Canadian, who would lose in the next round to Gunter. It is probably worth noting that Gunter won the 3A-D2 State Championship in both of those seasons, beating Poth 42-7, and Tidehaven, 30-17. Near Amarillo, Canadian also sits outside a larger DMA than Wall, and has access to more students.

The petition for Guy has hit 350 signatures since February 6, 2024.

The Wall community isn’t only upset with the resignation of Guy, but the retirement of former athletic director and coach, Jeremy Williams, who gave 30 years of his life to the Wall School District.

Coach Williams’s petition was created by Wall Concerned Citizen and it reads:

"For years, Coach Jeremy Williams has been an integral part of our community in Wall, TX. He has taught us, supported us, celebrated our wins with us and coached us through our losses. His dedication to the students and athletes of Wall I.S.D. is unparalleled. Yet despite his commitment and the positive impact he has had on countless lives, the (Wall) School Board decided to let him go because he wouldn’t fire Coach Guy.

"This decision not only affects Coach Williams but also threatens the winning tradition that we have worked so hard to build under his leadership. It’s a decision that disregards what’s best for our students and athletes – something that should always be a top priority in any educational institution.

"We believe it’s time for this decision to be reconsidered. We are calling on the School Board of Wall I.S.D. to reinstate Coach Jeremy Williams as Athletic Director and keep both him and Coach Guy at their rightful positions within our school district.

"Join us for standing up for what is right; sign this petition today! Let’s bring both coaches who have dedicated their careers towards shaping young minds through sportsmanship while maintaining a winning tradition at Wall I.S.D.!"

Williams officially retired after the end of the 2023 calendar year. The petition for Williams has hit 57 signatures since February 7, 2024.

According to the wallisd,net, "regular school board meetings are held each month. The meeting for the upcoming month is scheduled during the current monthly meeting. Monthly meetings will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Although it’s not required that all board members be in attendance at each board meeting, it is the goal of the Wall ISD Board of Trustees that meeting are schedule so that all seven board members are in attendance. To confirm the date and time of a school board meeting please check our website at www.wallisd.net under NEWS."

The February meeting for the Wall School Board is not at 6 p.m. as it has been posted to begin at 7:00 a.m. on February 14, 2024, which, this year, is not only Valentine’s Day but also Ash Wednesday. Wall is in a very Catholic community which raises questions of the convenience of attending a potentially contentious meeting that is scheduled at 7 a.m. on Ash Wednesday.

According to the documents or the agendas that are published on wallisd.net, aside from a special, second meeting in August, one other meeting over the last six months, has taken place at 7:00 a.m. We will post the agenda for this upcoming meeting as soon as it becomes available.

The current Wall School Board members are:

• Chris Wilde- President (May 2016-May 2025)
• Doug Dusek- Vice President (May 2011-May 2026)
• Michael Jones- Secretary (May 2018-May 2024)
• Curtis Holtman- Member- (May 2018-May 2024)
• Brett Schniers- Member- (May 2019-May 2025)
• Cole Mikulik- Member- (November 2020-May 2026)
• Heather Braden- Member- (November 2020- May 2026)

Of course, there is a Wall School Board Election on May 4th and eligible potential candidates can file to be on the ballot right now. No one on the organizers of the campaigns posted on Change.org will identify themselves, fearing retribution in the small town.