Photo by Brian McLean
By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
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After 23 years overall and 16 years at the helm, Azle Hornets head football coach Devon Dorris has announced that he will not return as head coach for the 2026 season.
“My journey as the Head Football Coach at Azle High School has come to an end,” Dorris said in a social media post Friday morning. “How do you express 23 years of dedication to Azle Hornet Football, and 16 years as the Head Football Coach in words? I’m not sure I can…”
Dorris took over as head coach for his alma mater in 2010 from Kevin Wood. Despite two rough years to open his tenure, he quickly led the Hornets to deep playoff runs in 2014, 2018 and 2019.
In his 16 years as head coach, he compiled a record of 90-82 with a 7-5 playoff record.
In his final two seasons as head coach, Azle got a very tough district draw, but still managed to make the playoffs in 2024.
His impact on Azle was enough to warrant a response from the three different head coaches Dorris faced from nearby rival Aledo.
“I hate to hear that Coach dorris is leaving Azle,” Tim Buchanan said in a written statement. “He’s a man of great character, and he’s done a great job of developing kids into young men. I wish Devon the best in the future.”
“It’s hard to coach in your hometown,” Steve Wood commented, “[Devon] is a great guy and a great coach. He got the most out of kids!”
“Devon is a great coach and an even better person,” current Aledo head coach Robby Jones said. “I hate to see him leave Azle and will miss seeing him at all the different events that we are at with Azle. I wish him, his family and his staff the best.”
But it wasn’t just opposing coaches that had tributes to give. Several of Dorris’s athletes also reached out to give a nod to their coach.
“Coach Dorris impacted me in so many different ways,” Senior center and captain Cole Johnson said in a written statement. “One way is his impact on me to push myself to get to the second level of football. When I told Coach Dorris I wanted to go play college football, besides my mom and dad, he was my biggest supporter. He has reached out to so many different people for me and he is one of the main reasons I am in the position I am now. I will always be grateful to Coach Dorris. He is ultimately the greatest coach I have ever had.”
“Coach impacted me in ways other than football,” senior linebacker Andrew Goldammer commented. “The one thing he always kept in my head was ‘never quit.’ He always made sure I kept going whether it’s football, weights, or school. He would push me to continue and showed me that even when everything sucks, you have to keep going and suck it up. And for that lesson, I will always be grateful.”
“Coach Dorris impacted me in more ways than I could possibly imagine,” senior wide receiver Aiden Mackey said about his head coach. “Growing up in Azle, I’ve known Coach Dorris pretty much my whole life. Since I was younger, Coach was always someone that I could count on. I remember we had a meeting during the season and he told us ‘If y’all need anything, let me know. If y’all are stuck on the side of the road and need someone to help you change a tire, even if it’s 2 a.m. call me and I will be there in a hurry.’ That just sums up the type of person Coach Dorris is. He is a person that we loved being around and we knew had our back. Although I am no longer playing for him, he will always be my coach. Azle will miss him.”
