By Brian Gosset
Ray Gates, who turned North Crowley into one of the top contenders in the state, is leaving the school to join the football staff at the University of North Texas.
Neal Brown was hired as UNT head coach earlier in December – replacing Eric Morris, who went to Oklahoma State. The Mean Green are having one of their best seasons in program history – currently 11-2 after playing in the American Conference Championship game where they lost to Tulane 34-21.
The Mean Green are set to play San Diego State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on Dec. 27.
Gates was hired at North Crowley in 2022 – coming over as defensive coordinator with Cedar Hill. Gates just wrapped up his fourth season with the Panthers, who went 12-2 after a 34-21 loss to Allen in a 6A D1 regional final game.
Gates posted a remarkable 54-4 record in four seasons with four straight undefeated district championships in District 3-6A. The Panthers went 16-0 in the 2024 season – winning the 6A D1 title over Austin Westlake. It was their second state title and first since 2003.
