From Foe to Friend, Ex-BL Soccer Coach Moves to Ursuline
Switching sides in one of the Dallas area’s top girls soccer rivalries wasn’t a hasty decision for Darrin Hedges.
After a decade at Bishop Lynch, Hedges is now at Ursuline, where he’s the soccer coach and an associate athletic director. It’s the latter position that sealed the move.
In his new role, Hedges takes over one of the state’s most decorated soccer programs, and also advises athletes across all sports on the college recruiting process, among other duties.
“I’ve been wanting to get into athletic administration, and this gave me that behind-the-scenes (insight) into how an athletic department works,” Hedges said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to pursue what I wanted professionally.”
“I’ll have a lot of mixed emotions. I wish them all the best — except when they play us.” -Darrin Hedges
The Bears have won TAPPS state titles in 27 of the past 29 seasons. The only other winners during that span were Bishop Lynch teams coached by Hedges, in 2015 and 2019.
Bishop Lynch ended Ursuline’s historic title streak in 2015. Last year, the Friars reclaimed the top spot while the Bears failed to reach the state championship game for the first time in three decades.
“My vision for the program is getting it back to a national ranking,” said Hedges, who also brought two of his assistant coaches to Ursuline from Bishop Lynch. “I cherish the challenge.”
Hedges managed to narrow the gap during the past 10 years between Bishop Lynch and the perennial powerhouse Bears. He used those matchups as measuring sticks for the Friars during their rise to prominence.
The two schools will renew their district rivalry this season on Dec. 12 and Jan. 30, before another possible encounter in the playoffs, which will bring added emotion for Hedges.
“I’m sure the first couple of times will be pretty hard. I love those kids,” he said. “I’ll have a lot of mixed emotions. I wish them all the best — except when they play us.”
Hedges departed Bishop Lynch amid a personnel shakeup in the school’s athletic department. His replacement is former Ursuline standout Allie Daus, who coached the Bears in 2013 and 2014.
Hedges formerly coached at Wichita Falls and Allen. In 1995, he was the first women’s soccer coach at his alma mater, Midwestern State University. He’s also been a longtime club soccer coach with the prominent FC Dallas and Solar youth programs.
