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After two trying weeks Perryton ISD and superintendent Greg Brown looks like they have found the right man to help rebuild the Ranger athletic into a positive direction.
On Monday, the Perryton school board approved the hiring of Dumas defensive coordinator Joshua Hernandez as the new athletic director/ head football coach.
With time Brown is confident that Hernandez is the high character choice that can get Perryton back on track after former athletic director/ head football coach Cole Underwood left a very dark cloud over the school and the community following his arrest for sexual assault of a minor on April 25.
“I think Josh is ready for this chance,” Brown said. “I’m so pleased with Josh coming on board. Because of what happened I know there is going to be a spotlight on this position and this person. As the hiring process was starting up, we determined it had to be the right person for Perryton ISD. We talked to 10 people about Josh to reference because we had to get the perfect guy. In the end, we knew Josh was the right decision to push us forward.”
“This was a character hire. We knew it had to be more than just about athletics and I think we Josh we got that. He is a person of integrity, and he is honest. His work ethic is second to none and live that kind of life in front of our kids.”
Hernandez has been at Dumas all 11 years of his coaching career climbing the ranks from the junior high level to assistant on the varsity football staff to being the defensive coordinator the past two years.
Hernandez is well aware of what he’s walking into at Perryton and is more than willing to take the step forward to get things turned around.
“It’s very unique situation,” Hernandez said. “I understood that when I went into the interview process. I was very transparent Perryton. This isn’t an overnight fix. It’s going to come down to changing the culture and the willing to listen and hard work. It’s going to take every single person involved from myself to the administration to the coaches to the kids. It’s a process to change a culture and this is just the beginning but I’m excited to move forward and see what we can do.”
As for what to expect, Hernandez says commitment and passion are his top priority.
“I think Perryton will see they are going to see a coach that is extremely loyal,” Hernandez said. “I was at Dumas for 11 years and never applied for another job until this came up. I think that Perryton will see an individual highly driven, internally passionate about the product he is selling and a guy that will roll up sleeves and get to work.”
Dumas head football coach Aaron Dunnam was well on board with Hernandez’s decision to take on the Perryton football job. Dunnam has been a mentor to Hernandez and one of his biggest supporters.
“Perryton is getting a loyal coach and person,” Dunnam said. “Coach Hernandez is an extremely hard worker and does things the right way. I have a ton of respect for him because he’s worked his way up from the bottom to where he is now. There isn’t a task that’s too big for him or too small. We came in here together and turned Dumas around. He’s been charged with a huge task but if there’s anyone that can get it done it’s him. He loves coaching kids and building positive relationships and I think the people of Perryton are about to see that.”
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