DeSoto football head coach Todd Peterman will not return for 2018 season
Barely one year ago, Todd Peterman was holding up the 2016 UIL Class 6A Division II state championship trophy. His DeSoto Eagles had won the football state title at AT&T Stadium.
The ensuing 13 months have a bit of a whirlwind, capped off by Peterman’s announcement on Thursday to step down as head coach.
In an email sent by the DeSoto Independent School District Communications department, Peterman met with superintendent David Harris about stepping away as head coach and assistant athletic director. The move is effective at the close of his contract for the current school year.
The district also stated that Peterman was not asked to step down or resign and he remains in good standing with DeSoto ISD.
Coach Peterman told me he was not pressured by the district to resign, he simply felt the timing was right for him to look for another opportunity and give Desoto as much time needed to find a quality replacement #txhsfb @dctf https://t.co/rd3LC7Gta8
— Matt Stepp (@Matt_Stepp817) January 18, 2018
My guess is he felt like he may not get renewed and wanted time to find another gig...and after last year he's probably right
— Matt Stepp (@Matt_Stepp817) January 18, 2018
“I am very honored to have served as the head coach and assistant athletic director for DeSoto High School for the past three years and part of the football organization, and mathematics teacher for nine years,” Peterman said in a letter. “After much thought and consideration, I believe it to be in the best interest for my family to pursue other coaching opportunities. I am resigning my position effective at the end of my current contract.”
“I wish DeSoto ISD and DeSoto football nothing but the best moving forward.”
In 2016, the Eagles went 16-0 and won its first state football title after beating Cibolo Steele 38-29. According to MaxPreps, they finished ranked No. 2 in the state, 11th in the nation.
Four months later, Peterman was in a battle with DeSoto ISD. Reports were he’d be fired.
BREAKING sources indicate Desoto HC Todd Peterman will be fired by the DeSoto ISD school board tonight #txhsfb @dctf
— Matt Stepp (@Matt_Stepp817) April 24, 2017
But after Peterman’s contract was renewed, speculation remained that some members of the DeSoto ISD school board were against the move. Supporters and players came to back up Peterman at a school board meeting on April 24.
Eventually, the two came to an agreement.
DeSoto finished 10-2 in 2017, losing to Southlake Carroll in the second round. Peterman went 32-8 in three years.
This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 4:20 PM with the headline "DeSoto football head coach Todd Peterman will not return for 2018 season."