SAN ANGELO, TX — A new era in Wall Hawks’ football has arrived. Almost one month to the day since long-time head coach Houston Guy announced his resignation from the Hawks’ football program, Wall ISD announced that Craig Slaughter, Wall’s Defensive Coordinator, will take over as Head Coach.
“I’m super excited to lead Wall’s football program,” Slaughter said on Wednesday. “Wall is a historic program that I’ve had the privilege to be a part of for the last seven years. It’s a phenomenal and amazing job. I am truly humbled by this opportunity.”
Slaughter joined Guy’s coaching staff back in 2017 to retool a defense loaded with athletes. He put together a stretch of defenses that were some of the best in all of 3A football over the past seven seasons. In 2023, Slaughter’s defense allowed less than 100 points in 14 games. That 6.9 points per game average ranked near the top in all of 3A football. Slaughter developed several athletes into college-caliber football players, and his latest product was linebacker Logan Thomas who signed to play for the Angelo State Rams last week. Read more information on Thomas’s signing HERE.
Craig Slaughter, Head Football Coach of the Wall Hawks
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Before joining the Hawks, Slaughter coached at Clyde, Hearne, Sweetwater, and Llano. The Hawks’ new head coach was the frontman for Clyde, Sweetwater, and Llano before he took the job as Wall’s defensive coordinator. He attributes the athletes at Wall to the opportunity to re-enter the head coaching game.
“There have been so many great players that have gone through this place. I know they helped me be the next guy up,” Slaughter said.
As the Hawks look to the future, Coach Slaughter said that he is excited for what is to come. The junior high classes and underclassmen at the high school pave the way for a bright future for the Hawks.
“Some coaches take over a program and have no idea what they are working with. Since I’ve been here for a while now, I have a great advantage,” Slaughter said. “It’s a great advantage to know the kids in all grades 7-12. We also have many returning varsity pieces, and I am lucky enough to know where they fit already.”
Wall Hawks Brylan White (Left) and Briggs Jones (Right) in action versus Childress 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Wall ended its 2023 campaign in the Regional Final in the Texas High School Football Playoffs against the Canadian Wildcats, where the Hawks fell 31-12. Despite the loss, Coach Slaughter said he’s excited to return to work and prepare for the 2024 season.
“Our preseason schedule next season will be tough,” Slaughter continued. “Our strengths and weaknesses will be evident early in the season, and we can work with that.”
Wall enters a new era in the program with Slaughter at the helm. Perhaps he can be the one to push the Hawks over the Canadian hump and into the state game again.
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