EDDY PRATHER
Wichita Falls Independent School District announced Monday night Dec.15 that Devon Dorris has accepted a position as the district’s newest athletic director, marking the first move into athletic administration for the longtime Azle coach and educator. Dorris becomes the seventh athletic director in Wichita Falls ISD history, dating back to 1947.
Dorris leaves for Wichita Falls after spending 23 seasons on the Azle High School football staff, including the last 16 as head coach. He is the longest-tenured head football coach in Azle history and he stacked more wins than any coach in Azle history with 90 victories.
During his tenure, Dorris guided the Hornets to some of the most successful seasons in school history. He led Azle to an 11-1 record and a district championship in 2014, the program’s first district title in 20 years. Azle High School has claimed only seven district championships overall, with Dorris accounting for one of them. His teams also reached the playoffs six times, including standout seasons in 2018 (10-2), 2019 (9-2), 2020 (9-3), 2021 (8-3) and most recently in 2024, when Azle finished 11-1 and advanced to the postseason. Azle has made just 19 playoff appearances in school history — six under Dorris’ leadership.
A 1995 graduate of Azle High School, Dorris was a multi-sport standout, lettering in football, basketball, track and baseball. He played a key role on the 1994 football team that earned the program’s first-ever postseason win, catching the game-winning touchdown pass against Cedar Hill. Dorris was named first-team All-State as a defensive back and earned honorable mention All-State honors as a running back.
Dorris continued his playing career at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he was named an All-American honorable mention kick returner as a freshman, before finishing his college career at Tarleton State University. At Tarleton, he was a two-time recipient of the Texans’ Special Teams Player of the Year award and served as a team captain his senior season. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1999 and a master’s degree in education in 2004, both from Tarleton State.
His coaching career began at Boswell High School, where he spent four seasons before returning home to Azle. Dorris was named his alma mater’s head football coach in 2010, earning his first career win Aug. 27 of that year with a 35-21 victory over Joshua. He went on to compile 90 career wins at the helm of the Hornets.
In 2018, Dorris was inducted into the Azle ISD Sports Hall of Fame, which was established to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to Azle athletics both on and off the field.
“I’m extremely excited for this new journey in athletic administration,” Dorris said. “I’m grateful for my time in Azle. The things we were able to accomplish over the years is something I’m extremely proud of, but sometimes you have to move and take on the next challenge.”
Dorris and his wife, Keri, have two sons. Dane is a coach at Godley, and Drew is a senior at Tarleton State University. Keri plans to complete the school year as principal at Silver Creek Elementary before seeking a position in the Wichita Falls area following the end of her current contract.
When asked about the biggest or best moments of his time in Azle, Dorris replied “ In my playing days, 1994 beating Cedar Hill in the first round of the playoffs, first (time) ever in school history.” As a coach, “winning the first of four District Championships in 2014 against Wichita Falls Rider. It was win and be district champs, and loser was runner-up,” Dorris continued. “Jamie King had a rushing touchdown in overtime to win the game and we stormed the field. I’m also proud of the fact that in a four-year period from 2018-2021, we went 37-10 and won three district championships.”
