Coach Jeff Riordan is shown with his wife Mandy and children, Jonah and Kendyl.Courtesy

Crosby’s Jeff Riordan has been named the new head football coach and athletic director at Chapel Hill High School.

Riordan, who has been head coach and AD at Crosby the last seven years, was approved by the Chapel Hill ISD Board of Trustees on Monday.

He compiled a mark of 66-18 at Crosby, a Class 5A school. He led the Cougars to six playoff appearances and four district championships, and reached the state semifinals in 2014.

“We are very excited about coming to East Texas to be close to family, to a great community and school with a great history of football,” Riordan told the Tyler Morning Telegraph late Monday. “We want to get there and get the program turned back around.”

Riordan replaces Jason Hooker, who resigned last month, after two seasons as Bulldogs head coach.

Riordan is married to Mandy Riordan, daughter of former Lindale football coach and athletic director Ben Shipley. They have two children, Jonah, 13, and Kendyl, 11.

He said it was difficult to leave Crosby, “a great community, kids and coaching staff.”

Riordan officially begins his duties March 18, the day students return from spring break. He added he would like to get their children enrolled in school before spring break.

Riordan was an all-state wide receiver at Bridgeport High School and finished 13th in his class ranking. He was an all-region sprinter and a varsity baseball player.

After high school, Riordan attended Austin College in Sherman. He was a four-year starter at wide receiver and was the Kangaroos’ kick returner. He was also on the Sherman school’s track team, competing in the 100m, 200m, 4×100 relay and the triple/long jumps. 

Riordan began his coaching career as wide receivers coach at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2001. He then was on the Garland Lakeview Centennial staff for four years, followed by Sulphur Springs for six years. He was the offensive coordinator at SS when the Wildcats won the Class 4A Division II state championship, 69-49, over Dayton.