Central Bobcats' Head Coach Smith Named Region 2-6A Coach of the Year

SAN ANGELO, TX — Central Bobcats' Head Football Coach Mark Smith added another accolade to place upon an incredibly successful football season this school year as the Texas High School Coaches Association named Smith the 2026 Region 2-6A Coach of the Year on Thursday.

The San Angelo Independent School District made the announcement on its Facebook page on Thursday afternoon. Read the full award list HERE.

Smith is currently in his second year at the helm of the Central Bobcats' football program and has been an integral part of Central's turnaround. The Bobcats finished with an 8-4 overall record in 2025, capped off with a Bi-District Championship trophy after the 'Cats defeated El Paso Pebble Hills in the first round of the playoffs.

Just two years ago, the Bobcats finished 1-9 and last in District 2-6A. Smith left Brent Venables' staff at the University of Oklahoma to take over in San Angelo and immediately changed the culture. Central improved to 4-6 the following year before adding another four wins and a playoff trophy in Year 2.

Along with the culture shift comes more opportunities for the football players at Central to play at the next level. Already, Central has announced several signings and commitments from some of the Bobcats' stars, including Mason Van Sickle and Colton Hill (UT Permian Basin), and Jaekob Jackson (West Texas A&M). 

Several more athletes haven't announced yet where they'll play college football.