19998 Wrangler Coaching Staff
Gary Johnson - Head Coach
Head coach Gary Johnson is entering his 23rd year as a coach. His tenth at West at West Mesquite High School and his seventh as Head Coach of the Wranglers. He has coached at Rockwall High School and in Arlington before coming to West Mesquite. He and his wife Jana have two daughters, Jara 13 Jamee 10. Coach Johnson graduated from the University of North Texas and received his Masters from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Mike Belew
Mike is entering his 20th year of coaching, his first at West Mesquite. He will coach will coach the inside linebackers and will be the Defensive Coordinator. Mike has a Bachelor Degree in from Abilene Christian University and his Masters Degree from Sul Ross University. For the past two years Mike was head coach and AD at Pecos High School and before that spent fourteen years at Odessa Permian High School. He coached in four State Championship games while at Odessa Permian. He teaches health and is single.
Conley Bland
Conley is entering his 25th year of coaching and is responsible for coaching the defensive backs. He has coached at Rockwall, McKinney and Sulpher Springs. Also, Conley has served as Head Football Coach at Como-Pickton High School and Quinlan Ford High School, where they were Bi-District Champions in 1995. He is a graduate of East Texas State University where he received a B.S. Degree in History and Physical Education and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration. He and his wife, Shirley, have two children, Crystal 16 and Craig 14.
Darrin Bickham
Darrin is entering his ninth year of teaching and coaching. He received his Bachelor's Degree in education from the University of Mary Harding-Baylor. He is joining the Wrangler Staff after four years as a Head Football Coach at Navarro High School and Clinton High School. He and his wonderful wife Alma have two beautiful daughters, Sara 7 and Alexandria 3. Darrin will coach the running backs.
Bobby Campbell
Bobby Campbell is entering his 27th football season, and his 18th with the Wranglers. He coaches the offensive line and is the Offensive Coordinator. Bobby has his Bachelor's degree Abilene Christian University and his Masters Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Bobby teaches math, and he and his wife Melanie have three boys: Max, Cavender and Kirby.
Jere Craighead
Jere is entering his eighth year of coaching, and his second here at West Mesquite where he coaches the tight end / wingbacks and teaches U.S. Government. He is a graduate of Wylie High School and the University of North Texas, where he earned a B.S. in Secondary Education with a minor in Physical Education and Political Science. Jere also received a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce in August of 1998. Jere and his wife have been married for 1 year.
Nick Dovzak
Nick coaches the OFFENSIVE LINEMEN. He is entering his tenth year of teaching and coaching in Mesquite, seven have been at West Mesquite. After graduating from J. Frank Dobbie High School in Houston, Nick attended Texas A&M earning a degree in Kinesiology, with a minor in Biology. Nick and his wife, Melanie are newly married.
Jim Hefferman
Jim is entering his fourth year of coaching, his first here at West Mesquite. He spent a year at Union Grove High School and spent the past two years as the Defensive Coordinator at Clint High School. He graduated from Texas University at Austin with a B.A. in mathematics in 1995. Jim and his wife of two years, Susan are currently living in Arlington.
Andy Todd
Andy is a 27 year old graduate of the University of North Texas and Plano Senior High. He is entering his fourth year teaching and coaching. Andy has spent the last three years teaching and coaching at Wilmer-Hutchins High School. He will be responsible for coaching the defensive line. Andy has taught all history subjects and will be teaching geography this year.
Ken Buck - Trainer
Ken has been a trainer for 16 years, 10 at Victoria and 6 at West Mesquite. Ken was chosen as one of the trainers of the World Cup 94 in Dallas. Ken also enjoys working all sports, he helps sponsor The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and his wife Lea Ann, have one daughter Brittany, and one son Benjamin.
Jeff Neil
Jeff coaches outside linebackers in his first year with the Wranglers. He returns to the area after receiving his B.S. Deree in Microbiology, minor in chemistry, and playing football at Southwest Texas University. Jeff is a 1991 graduate of Mesquite High School. He and his wife, Ashlei, have been married for 3 years.