Grape Creek Coach Thiel Accepts New Job With White Oak

GRAPE CREEK, TX — After leading the Grape Creek football program to its first-ever playoff win last season, head coach and athletic director Tanner Thiel has accepted a new job at White Oak.

Thiel will serve in the same capacity as head coach and AD at the Class 3A Division I school in East Texas about 30 miles northeast of Tyler.

His last day with Grape Creek will be Friday, Jan. 30.

White Oak went 5-5 last season and hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2017, which makes Thiel an ideal hire considering the work he put in at Grape Creek.

When Thiel was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach at Grape Creek in 2018, he became the team’s 11th head coach since the school opened its doors in 1998.

Thiel gave the long-struggling program some much-needed stability and led the Eagles to a share of their first district title in 2021.

Last year, Grape Creek had the winningest season in program history with a 7-5 record, highlighted by a 50-15 win over Crane to bring home the team’s first playoff trophy.

Thiel had an overall record of 24-60 in eight years at Grape Creek, a mark that doesn’t reflect the impact he had in turning the program around.

Thiel released a statement regarding his decision to accept the job at White Oak.

“As I prepare to begin a new chapter as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at White Oak ISD, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Grape Creek ISD community for the past nine years.

“This transition was not an easy decision. White Oak ISD is home to family — my sister serves as the high school counselor, my niece and nephew attend school there, and my wife’s parents live nearby — which ultimately made this move the best decision for our family. Still, leaving Grape Creek is incredibly difficult because of the people, relationships, and memories built here.

“I am deeply thankful to Angie Smetana, who gave me my first opportunity to serve as an Athletic Director and Head Football Coach and believed in me early in my career. I am also grateful to our current superintendent, Trey Gardner, for his continued support, leadership, and trust. Thank you to the Grape Creek ISD School Board for allowing me to hire and work alongside unbelievable coaches and for always supporting our athletic programs.

“I would also like to thank the administration, faculty, and staff across the district, along with the students of Grape Creek ISD. Most importantly, thank you to our student-athletes and parents for their commitment, trust, and support. I am especially proud of the 86 football players who finished our program — young men who represent everything Grape Creek stands for.

“Over the past nine years, our program achieved milestones that I will always be proud of: four playoff appearances (the most in school history), a district championship (first in school history), a bi-district championship (first in school history), a seven-win season (the most wins in a season), and the honor of serving as the longest-tenured head football coach in school history at eight years. More than wins and championships, I am most proud of the quality young men and women we helped develop during that time.

“Grape Creek ISD will always hold a special place in my heart. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve this community and proud of everything we accomplished together.”