Thursday's Internet Edition, December 04, 2008.
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| Coach Chris Wilde |
Pending board approval next Monday night, Wilde has been hired as the new head football coach and campus coordinator at Saginaw, just west of Fort Worth.
The 4-A Roughriders finished 7-3 last year. Saginaw High School was built four years ago and graduated its first senior class last year.
Wilde has been head coach in Hamilton for the past 10 years and surpassed the late Ken Scott to become the winningest football coach in school history two seasons ago. Scott coached in Hamilton in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Wilde took the Bulldogs to the playoffs five times during his tenor here. He won two district championships, four bi-district championships and two area championships. One of the bi-district championships was last fall, when the Bulldogs defeated the defending state champion and number one rated Mart Panthers.
Wilde has an overall record of 64-47 at Hamilton High School.
Wilde said he will not be leaving Hamilton until after the state track meet.
He also said he would recommend that the administration “stay inside” and “hire one of the existing coaches” to replace him.
He issued the following written statement to The Herald-News.
“This has been the most difficult personal decision I have ever made. Hamilton has become home to my family. This community gave me a chance to be a head football coach and athletic director and for that I will always be grateful. We have had many memories here. The most difficult time in my life was the passing of Chandler Craig. This community rallied around our staff and our athletes to help us cope with the loss and bring a sense of pride back into Hamilton Bulldog Football. I will never forget the thousands of people cheering before the Hamilton/Celina game in 2001, and I will certainly never forget the day the entire community of Hamilton defeated #1 ranked Mart in 2007.
“I also want to thank the athletes who I have had the chance to coach. They are some of the best people in the world and have made me very proud. They will continue to make the community of Hamilton very proud.
“I am grateful to the hundreds of track athletes, I’ve been fortunate to be around. It means everything to a coach to know that an athlete will go all out and lay it on the line for the coach.
“Above all, I want to thank our coaches, teachers, and support staff I have had the privilege of working with over the years. They are all very special.
“The community, administration, fans, as well and the Hamilton Herald-News have been great to Amy and I. From a professional standpoint, we feel like the opportunity in Saginaw is a once in a lifetime chance. If I don’t give it a shot, I think I will always wonder “what if.” Life is too short for that.
“On behalf of Amy, Grace Anne and Chandler – I can promise that we will miss you.”