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Just over three weeks after its head coach stepped down, the Life Waxahachie football program is officially under new leadership.
Well, kind of.
Scott Thrush, Director of Athletics for Life Schools, announced the promotion Friday of Micah Stanley from offensive coordinator to head football coach for the Life Waxahachie Mustangs.
The announcement and decision comes after Heath Blalock informed Life Schools of his immediate resignation on Friday, Nov. 15. Blalock coached the Mustangs to a 7-4 record this season, which ended with 50-20 loss against (7-5) Palestine in the 4A Division II bi-district round.
Blalock had served as the head coach of the Mustangs since 2014, compiling a 34-30 record with four playoff appearances in 2014, ’16, ’17 and ’19.
“We grateful for coach Blalock’s many years of service not only to our students and district, but also to his country,” stated Thrush in a press release. ”As a member of the United States Armed Forces, coach Blalock has been a leading example of citizenship to our students, staff and families. We want to thank coach Blalock for a successful football season and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
As for Stanley, he has been with Life Waxahachie for six years, serving the past four as the Mustangs’ offensive coordinator. He also filled in as interim head coach while Blalock was serving in the military overseas.
“While Coach Stanley was the interim football coach, I was able to see firsthand the positive culture he instilled with the program and that the staff rallied around him,” Thrush stated. “The passion, energy and enthusiasm he brings is contagious. He has a true heart for our student-athletes and uses the game of football to prepare our young men for ‘life.’”
Stanley, who is in his ninth year as an educator, worked in in Winona and Frost ISDs before joining Life Waxahachie. His wife, Jillian, is also a member of the Life School family, working as an elementary math curriculum coordinator for the district.
A native of Stamford, Coach Stanley graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor’s of Behavioral Science in Physical Education. He is a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association and ATPE.
“Jillian and I are excited to continue working with these great young men, coaches, teachers, administrators, parents and the rest of the Life School family,” Stanley stated in the release. “Our goals will always include winning on the field, but more importantly we want to build young men of great character who are ready to conquer life after Life. We want to thank everyone who made this dream become a reality and look forward to getting to work. Go Mustangs!”
Thrush noted Stanley will now begin the process of hiring a new offensive coordinator.
