Introducing the 2024 Star-Telegram Football Coach of the Year: North Crowley’s Ray Gates
Introducing the 2024 Star-Telegram high school football coach of the year: North Crowley’s Ray Gates.
Gates led North Crowley to a state championship in Class 6A Division I, Texas’ largest classification. The Panthers finished with a perfect season (16-0) and picked up wins over Duncanville and DeSoto, both nationally ranked defending state champions.
Gates scheduled a treacherous non-district slate that included games against DeSoto, Rockwall, Lancaster, and Denton Guyer to prepare his team for a deep playoff run, and it paid dividends.
North Crowley continued to win its third consecutive undefeated district title. In three seasons, Gates has a 42-2 record at North Crowley. Before his arrival, the Panthers had consecutive 7-4 seasons.
In 2023, North Crowley lost 52-10 to Duncanville in the state semifinals. In the 2024 rematch, North Crowley won 36-34 in a thriller to advance to the title game.
North Crowley represented the city of Fort Worth in a UIL title game, somewhere Cowtown hadn’t been in any class since 2003. The title is Fort Worth’s first since 1948 in the UIL’s largest classification.
Players and coaches within the program credited Gates for his ability to inspire and his leadership skills. From pregame speeches to postgame victory talks, Gates kept his team focused and hungry while rewarding them for multiple jobs well done.
Gates also has a reputation as a defensive guru, and the stats back it up; North Crowley allowed 17.7 points per game. The offense averaged 54 points per game and was led by offensive coordinator Eli Reinhart, who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young assistant coaches in Texas football.
The Panthers arguably had one of the best seasons in Texas high school football history, taking down seven programs that have combined for 24 total state championships. North Crowley finished the season with a No. 3 Max Preps national ranking.
Gates was named the Star-Telegram Coach of the Year in 2023 and has now earned the honor in consecutive seasons.
Honorable mentions
Mike Peters, Saginaw - Led the Rough Riders to the school’s first playoff victory and an undefeated District 4-5A championship after three total wins from 2020 through 2023.
Riley Dodge, Southlake Carroll - Led the Dragons to a Class 6A Division II state championship appearance with a young roster that suffered several season-ending injuries to key players. Dodge was also voted as the Star-Telegram Readers’ Choice Coach of the Year.
Keep an eye out for more individual awards throughout the week. The Star-Telegram’s All-Area Team will release on Sunday, Jan. 12.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 10:49 AM.
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