The Lubbock Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved Eric Ward as Estacado's next head football coach. The former Texas Tech receiver will replace William Blaylock, who left the position in early May to move on to Class 6A Cypress Ranch. Blaylock made his head coaching debut with the Matadors, leading the program for two seasons.
This will be Ward's first opportunity to lead. He was most recently the offensive coordinator at 3A Division II Wichita Falls City View. He was a standout at WF Rider before playing at Tech from 2010-13.
“First and foremost, I'm happy to be back,” Ward said. “Lubbock is my hometown. I've spent many years here and I'm honored to have this opportunity. I believe God makes no mistakes. It's my life's mission to serve and I'm going to focus on the kids on the east side of Lubbock and build pride in the program.”
LISD Superintendent Cathy Rollo said Ward “wowed the (selection) committee,” which included community members and parents as well as staff from Estacado and its affiliated schools.
“I think it's because he feels this is his calling,” Rollo said. “The recommendations from Texas Tech and others were fantastic, and the way he answered questions made it very clear that he believes in developing great young men first and winning games second.”
Ward, a former assistant at Rider, Burkburnett and W.F. Hilsey, will be Estacado's fourth football coach since 2017. The longest-tenured in that span was Joe Cluley, who spent four seasons with the Matadors prior to Blaylock's arrival.
Ward is LISD's second new head coach of the offseason. In February, the district promoted Coronado defensive coordinator Andrew Roy to replace DJ Mann, who left after three seasons to take a job at the University of Mississippi.
Ward finished his Tech career with 255 catches for 2,863 yards and 31 touchdowns, third all-time in receptions and touchdowns and sixth all-time in yards. When Estacado takes on Levelland in a district game, he will face off against former Red Raiders receiver and current head coach Lyle Leon Jr.
Leon is just above Ward on Tech's all-time TD catch list with 32.
“Lyle is one of my best friends,” Ward said, “… He taught me how to catch passes over my shoulder. I was his backup. To me, Lyle has always had an open and kind heart. I can never repay him for what he did for me.”
