‘His track record is 2nd to none.’ Kevin Ozee returns to athletics with Burleson ISD
Kevin Ozee stepped down as Athletic Director at Arlington ISD in 2017 to pursue a gas and oil business, but he had missed being around coaches and student-athletes.
On Monday, Ozee returned to the game as Burleson ISD approved the hiring for its next Director of Athletics during its special board meeting.
“We wanted the very best for our students, coaches and schools,” Burleson ISD Superintendent Bret Jimerson said. “We wanted somebody that would come in, build off what we’ve done and take it to a new level.”
Ozee replaces longtime Burleson ISD AD Phil Anderson and will start on March 2. Anderson will remain with the district and oversee sponsorships and support BISD through his role as Director of Community Partnerships, Jimerson announced on Monday.
“I missed it. I have a great job and business, but a lot of free time,” Ozee said. “My purpose was to help serve the coaches, athletes and community and it was the right opportunity. I had looked into several options, but the good Lord blessed me with this perfect match.”
Ozee’s last stop was athletic director for Arlington ISD from November 2014 until his announcement to step away in May 2017. Before that, Ozee served as AD for Carroll and Duncanville ISDs.
But it was his time with Duncanville — before he was promoted — that he and his wife, Christy, lived in Burleson.
“We moved here in 1999 and I was still teaching and coaching in Duncanville. My wife was a veterinarian in Burleson,” Ozee said. “But what really intrigued me about Burleson is when I talked to their Superintendent, Bret Jimerson, and right off the bat, I could tell he thinks differently. Then I came down for my interview and met some of the people and fell in love with the community again.”
Ozee brings 25 years of experience. His previous schools have reached state in various sports more than 25 times and have won 19 state championships.
“I needed a pro that could take it and run with it, and what’s the best indicator of future performance? Past performance and his track record is second to none,” Jimerson said. “But what really impressed me was the reputation he built at each place as a man of integrity and that speaks volumes to me.”
This story was originally published February 17, 2020 at 6:44 PM.
