Cooper Independent School District officially welcomed Coach Rod Castorena to the Bulldog family following the special called Board of Trustees meeting. He was provided a “meet and greet” reception on last Monday evening at the Cooper High School library.
Cooper ISD Superintendent Denicia Hohenberger said they reviewed almost 200 applications.
“He is passionate and energetic, as well as accomplished and prepared. We believe he will be a positive and dynamic leader and supporter of all of our athletes and programs,” said Cooper ISD Superintendent Denicia Hohenberger.
She stated that Coach Castorena is married, and he and his wife, Sam, have three sons expecting their fourth child. Most recently he was the Defensive Coordinator for the Gunter Tigers with defense that continues to earn top State awards. He has 10 years at all levels coaching both boys and girls.
He has a long “philosophy of athletics” he provided to Cooper ISD.
Along with the coaching staff changes, Cooper ISD braced for the recent University Interscholastic League (UIL) to make the realignment announcement.
For football Cooper will remain in the 3A, Division II classification. In their district the Bulldogs will be in District 9 with some new faces – Bells and Blue Ridge along with some old foes, Leonard, Chisum, Prairiland, and Whitewright.
The District released a tentative football schedule for the Fall 2018 season: scrimmages with Caddo Mills and Honey Grove, non-district games will consist of Farmersville, Rivercrest, Rains, Hooks, district play will kickoff with Prairiland, Chisum, Blue Ridge, Whitewright, with a bye week on Oct. 26, finishing with Leonard and Bells.
On the basketball side, in 3A, District 13, Cooper will meet Commerce, Chapel Hill (Mount Pleasant), Mount Vernon, Chisum, Prairiland, and Winnsboro. Cooper turned in 241 putting them among others in similar enrollment as the district ranges from 310 at Prairiland to the smallest 231 at Blue Ridge.
