By Lewis Spearman
CROSBY The local school board reviewed a new Athletic Director and Head Coach on Tuesday.
Jeff Riordan, 33, has been offensive coordinator at Sulphur Springs, and he is to take the post vacated by Kevin Flanigan on February 1. This is Riordans first head coach and athletic director job.
His wife is Mandy and their children are Jonah, 6 and Kendyl, 4.
According to Superintendent Dr. Keith Moore the search for a new coach included a coach with all the features that the board was seeking.
I believe that Coach Riordan has the abilities to do both jobs and do them well, stated Dr. Moore.
I had told everybody that I was going to move fast to fill this position but move as slow as needed to fill the position, I feel that this process went well. Dr. Moore responded to questions about the quickness of the search and finding the key post in athletics for the district.
Over 150 resumes were reviewed by the Superintendent and staff.
Squashing rumors Moore says, Hes not my friend, he is not my cousin, I have never seen him before this week. Neither Mr. Davis nor myself have ever worked with him before. One thing I know is that I have been pretty straight forward and honest with people. I am very excited, I think this will be a great coach. I have stressed this is not just a football job but all of our other athletic programs deserve as much effort and passion as football does.
Coach Riordan sports a state championship ring won when he was offensive coordinator with Sulphur Springs. He has been offensive coordinator for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats for the last six seasons.
As Head Coach, Riordan takes the reigns after the Cougar football team went 6-5 last season. A little reseach indicates that he was coaching in 2008 when the Sulphur Springs Wildcats defeated Dayton in 2008.
He was also a track coach.
Greg Owens the Sulphur Springs Head Coach says Coach Riordan has been a tremendous asset to Sulphur Springs High School. Not only was he instrumental in the state championship run, he did a great job of building character in the lives of young men and women.
Riordans coaching career dates back to football and track as an athlete at Austin College. He then went to Garland Lakeview Centennial and served as Offensive Coordinator.