Webb Set to Lead HPISD Athletic Programs

After admiring the success of Highland Park’s athletic programs from the outside, Rodney Webb will join the Scots as the new athletic director for Highland Park ISD.

The longtime Texas high school football coach and administrator will replace Johnny Ringo, who is retiring in June after nine years leading the HPISD athletic programs.

“When you talk about a tradition of excellence in Texas high school athletics, Highland Park leads every discussion,” Webb said. “I love coaching and working with student-athletes, but an opportunity to lead a storied program with decades of success is one that is extremely exciting to me. I love being part of a team, and I am looking forward to impacting the kids and the Park Cities community in a positive way.”

Webb has 32 years of high school coaching experience, including 19 years as either an athletic director or campus athletics coordinator. He just completed a two-year stint as football coach at Denton Guyer, which reached the Class 6A Division II state championship game in 2021.

Known for his up-tempo offensive style, Webb previously coached for eight seasons at Rockwall, where the Yellowjackets were a perennial powerhouse. That tenure included multiple thrilling contests against the Scots.

“Coach Webb is highly respected in the coaching profession as a person with class and character. I am excited to have him as the director of the Highland Park athletic program,” said HP football coach Randy Allen. “He has been the athletic coordinator of very successful programs at Rockwall and Denton Guyer, and he has served in statewide leadership positions because of the respect he has earned from the 30,000 high school coaches in Texas.”

Webb also has made head coaching stops at Mesquite Horn and Royse City, compiling an overall record of 160-78 in 19 seasons on the sidelines. His teams made the playoffs in 18 consecutive years.

Webb also served as president of the Texas High School Coaches Association from 2018 to 2021, a position previously held by both Ringo and Allen. Currently, he is a member of the Texas High School Coaches Educational Foundation board of directors and has experience with the UIL legislative council, state executive committee, and waiver committee.

“We were searching for someone who knows how to sustain and build upon a strong program, who is a respected leader with strong character and who has a strong track record of supporting and promoting all boys’ and girls’ sports,” said HPISD superintendent Tom Trigg.

Webb played football at Tarleton State University, where he earned All-American and team MVP honors in 1989. He was inducted into the Tarleton Hall of Fame in 2007. He is a 1986 graduate of North Garland High School.

While at Tarleton, he met and married his wife of 30 years, Fran, who is currently a teacher at Guyer. They have one daughter, Gracy, who is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in physical therapy at Oklahoma City University.

Webb’s hiring is still pending formal approval by the HPISD board of trustees, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks.