East Texas School Hires Central Bobcats Defensive Coordinator

HUGHES SPRINGS, TX — Hughes Springs ISD announced on Monday, Feb. 13, that they hired San Angelo Central Bobcats Defensive Coordinator Joshua Willis as their next Athletic Director/ Head Football Coach at Hughes Springs High School. 

Willis moved to San Angelo in 2017 when the Bobcats' previous coach, Brent Davis, hired him as the special teams' coordinator and safeties coach. When DC Mark Chester left Central in 2018, Davis moved Willis to defensive coordinator. 

The Bobcats had mixed results with Willis at the defense’s helm. At times, no team could run the ball on the Bobcats, while at other times, the ‘Cats struggled to get a stop. However, one constant remained throughout Willis’s tenure. The ‘Cats were ball hawks. Last season alone, Central was +5 in their turnover margin in a year that the ‘Cats coughed up the football too much. The Bobcats had eight interceptions on the season and nine fumble recoveries.

Willis moves to a school that finished their 2022 campaign 3-8 and a 4th place finish in their district. They allowed the district’s worst 420 points during the season, so a fresh start with Coach Willis could be just what this program needs to turn the page.

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Willis said, “It was going to take a really special opportunity for us to leave San Angelo.”

He continued, "We are indebted to Coach Davis and Coach Crane and the community in San Angelo. We loved our time in Angelo. Hughes Springs is not only closer to family for us, but they’ve had success and a lot of stability.” 

“They want to do things the right way, and it was an attractive position. I am confident there are bright things ahead for Hughes Springs."

Everyone on the COVER1 Crew wishes Coach Willis and his family the best of luck in the future. 

With Willis’s departure, a huge coaching vacancy opens up for the Bobcats. Central struggled on the defensive side of the ball over the last ten or so seasons, and Coach Crane has a golden opportunity to bring in someone who can give the Bobcats a spark next fall.