High School Sports

By SHANE STARK
Staff Writer

Ryan Tomlin has been named head boys basketball coach at Whitehouse High School, unanimously approved during a meeting Tuesday morning.

“It’s an exciting challenge for me,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin goes to Whitehouse from Bullard, where he went 121-46 in five years. He led the Panthers to a 26-8 record last season.

“He’s a very energetic, passionate coach about the game,” said Whitehouse athletic director Randy McFarlin. “I think he will add a tremendous amount of energy to our program.”

Tomlin takes over for Wally Dawkins, who went 442-133 in 21 years at Whitehouse. Dawkins left the helm in May, and is now the head boys basketball coach at Bullard Brook Hill.

Dawkins led the Wildcats to a 29-2 record, No. 3 state ranking and berth in the Class 4A regional semifinals last season. The Wildcats were eliminated by eventual state champion Dallas South Oak Cliff.

“I know there’s a lot of tradition at Whitehouse; it’s a place that’s used to winning,” Tomlin said. “I just hope to continue that and lead those guys in a positive direction.”

Said McFarlin, adding that there were 22 applicants for the position: “It was an exciting time when we saw the quality of people that applied. It turned into a very positive thing to go out there and (find someone to) take over a very successful program. No. 1 is to maintain the level we’ve been at, plus to maybe increase on that level.”

According to McFarlin, Tomlin will have a higher salary than Dawkins had. McFarlin said Tomlin will also serve as assistant golf coach and press box administrator during football season.

“We evaluate our salaries every three years,” McFarlin said.

Tomlin leaves behind a Bullard team that is expected to return six players next season.

“The hardest thing was leaving the guys that were coming back,” Tomlin said. “I had developed great relationships with those guys and became close friends with those kids and their families. Whoever comes in there has a great set up. They are going to have kids that will play as hard as the coach pushes them.

“One thing we established over the last five years was that we were going to play hard. They are going to be very successful and have a chance to play a lot of games. I wish them the best.”