New AD has local roots
The hunt for a director of athletics did not last long. After 2-year head football coach and athletic director Bryson Oliver unexpectedly left his Menard post in mid-June, the school board found themselves in quite a pickle. Most available program heads were already accepted and getting settled in by this time of the year. The candidate pool at mid-summer is often slim pickins. But not this time.
Clay Holland has been named Menard ISD’s new athletic director, head football coach, and head track coach, as announced this week. Holland has over 15 years of coaching experience, several of those within the NCAA Division 1 ranks.
Holland grew up in London, Texas, graduated from Junction High School in 2004. He was a 4-year track athlete at Texas State University when he graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in sports science. After graduation he remained at Texas State as an assistant track and field coach. He went on to serve as recruiting coordinator at Texas State and athletic Director of Operations at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).
Despite coaching stints at big time schools like UTA and Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Holland is not a newbie to six-man football. Although he comes to Menard from Tarleton State track and field, in a prior position he was the defensive coordinator at Gordon High School under famed six-man leader Joe Kostiha and later revered six-man and track coach Mike Reed. Holland admits six-man ball initially presented a learning curve; however, he learned it and loved it. He also enjoyed living in a small community again. The move from D1 collegiate to Class A six-man at Gordon was the result of a family decision to be closer for his kids to be closer to maternal grandparents. In his three and a half years at Gordon he saw much growth into successful football and track programs. “It was a good time to be there,” he said.
And now… it’s a good time to be in Menard. The winding road that brought Clay Holland to MISD began with his desire to be closer to home after some family transitions. Holland, who was somewhat acquainted with Coach Oliver through their mutual time at Gordon, applied for an assistant coach position in the spring. When Oliver announced his departure in mid-June, MHS principal Jacob Hand said he had Holland as a prospect in the back of his mind. “I never thought he’d actually take it,” expressed Hand. “He is way overqualified.”
Hand reached out to applicant Holland and after gauging his interest, scheduled an interview for the AD/football/track position. Although there were other promising interviews to fill the top spot, Hand said Holland was a clear top pick— his situation of being available at that point was a bit different than the others. “He’s trying to get back home,” explained Hand. “He’s not trying to retire, use us a steppingstone, or any of those other things.”
Coach Holland says, being from the area, he actually mentioned several years ago that if Menard ever went six-man, “that’s a place I’d like to be.” Well, he’s here and he’s ready to weave his style of discipline and toughness into Yellowjacket athletes and students alike. “Coach Oliver did a lot of good stuff,” said Holland. “I’m going to instill that plus some.”
Superintendent of schools Amy Bannowsky said Holland’s application clearly rose above the others as a fit for MISD. She stated “Clay Holland joining our school and community will help us continue to rise to the next level. We are excited to have him here in Menard.”
Boys head basketball coach Jeff Campbell told us he’s looking forward to the energy and excitement that Coach Holland will bring to Menard athletics and throughout the school district.
Holland will take over a program with 2 full seasons of six-man football under its belt. The Yellowjackets lost some key players to graduation, including Wyatt Terrell, Hunter Whitaker, Kade Rayburn, and Brandon Spinks, all who were named to the 2023 Dist. 13 team. Incoming junior Jayden Payton, also named to the ‘23 all-district team, serves as a notable returning starter who is set to bring important leadership and experience to this years’ squad—and this years’ squad looks to be a young one.
It’s no secret that this fall’s freshman class is teeming with athletic talent. As eighth grade Junior Jackets— along with the seventh graders— this group went 9-0 in their 2023 season, outscoring opponents an astonishing 434-39 in those 9 games. Both junior high boys and girls dominated the district scene in all sports. Holland is certainly aware of the potential he will inherit but contends he does not carry a lot of players on varsity. Think greater success in the long term: “JV play is important to the development of a player, and they need that experience before stepping onto the field as a varsity player.”
“I know it’s not going to be easy, but we’ll all work hard. And not just at football, but we’re going to be disciplined and tough off the field as well.” Sounds like Coach Holland is going to fit right in, manning the Work Hard, Play Hard, Menard Hard movement toward the community’s burgeoning culture of excellence across the board.
*One sentence edited 7/1/24 for clarity.