Gipson Takes Over Sonora Softball as Coaching Changes Sweep Through Concho Valley

SONORA, TX -- After one year as softball head coach and athletic trainer, Greg Connors is leaving Sonora and assistant coach Hope Gipson has been promoted to fill the vacancy, girl's athletic coordinator Clayton Harris told San Angelo LIVE!

Connors is said to be taking a job elsewhere, but the details of his move have not been made public at this time. Gipson has been on staff at Sonora ISD the past two years, serving as a junior high coach her first year.

Gipson was a former standout for the Junction Lady Eagles and brings a lengthy resume of experience to the table. She learned from Junction head coach April McAdams while playing from 2006 to 2009, including a second place finish in district and area round appearance in 2009. She graduated from UTSA's Honor's College in 2012.

This will be Gipson's first job as a high school head coach. With softball being a big part of her life and knowing the tradition at Sonora, Gipson is excited to start her tenure as head coach. Lady Bronco head volleyball coach Judi Harris will serve as Gipson's assistant coach on the softball diamond.

Gipson is one of the latest in a slew of coaching changes. Last night, it was announced that longtime Wall head coach Tate Lombard is departing Wall to join his father's staff at Canyon. Sonora is also in the early days of new AD and head football coach Kevin Sherrill.

By our count, there have been 18 coaching changes in the Concho Valley, with seven positions confirmed as being filled and another reported in local media, but not confirmed by San Angelo LIVE. We are awaiting confirmation from Irion County ISD on the possible hire of a new head football coach.

Here is the list of coaching changes in the Concho Valley: