Wylie ISD is taking a progressive step as they continue to experience growth and will split the athletic director/head football coach position into two separate positions. Wylie will begin its search for its first full-time athletic director this Spring. The new director will assume responsibilities currently held by Clay Martin, who has elected to remain the head coach of the football program.
“My passion is coaching, and I am grateful to the school board and administration for this decision as this will allow me to concentrate all of my time and efforts into our football program,” says Coach Martin. “This is an important step for the WHS football program and Wylie athletics as a whole as we continue to grow.”
In Martin’s four seasons as Wylie’s head football coach, the Bulldogs have compiled a record of 26-18 with three playoff appearances including a district championship and Class 5A state quarterfinal run in 2022.
Martin served as Hugh Sandifer’s defensive coordinator from 2000 until Sandifer announced his retirement in 2020. Wylie made four trips to the state finals during that time, and they reached the pinnacle with the 2004 state title.
Martin began his career at Wylie as the school’s head baseball coach. His 28 seasons leading the Bulldogs on the diamond (1993-2020) added up to more than 600 victories and back-to-back state championships in 2016 and 2017.
This created position is to ensure the continued success of the athletic programs as the district continues to grow in student population and athletic participation.
“We have had many discussions over the years with the school board and athletic department regarding the separation of these positions into an Athletic Director position and a Head Coach for football,” says Superintendent Joey Light. “High school athletic programs across the state, especially at the 5A and 6A levels, are going in the direction of two separate positions. We think that this will benefit all of our student athletes by allowing the athletic director to focus their attention on the district’s overall athletic program and Coach Martin, our head football coach, to focus solely on the football program. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that this will have on Wylie ISD.”
Contributed by WISD Communications