Decatur ISD’s athletic director/head football coach positions were left vacant for only three weeks before the district’s board of trustees Monday night approved its lone finalist — one that brings a impressive winning track record to town with him. The board voted unanimously (6-0) to hire former Glen Rose athletic director and head football coach Cliff Watkins to fill the roles. “I’m really excited because the tradition and excellence at Decatur makes it an excellent place,” Watkins said. “When this job came open, there was just something intriguing about it. We had success at Glen Rose similar to what Decatur’s had — we made trips to the state semifinals in football and girls basketball twice, and in volleyball in 2017… Decatur’s about twice the size of what Glen Rose is, so I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to build on what’s already been done here.” After taking over a program that finished 3-7 in the 2015 season prior to his hiring, Watkins built Glen Rose into a powerhouse, amassing a 92-36 overall record (71.8 winning percentage) in 10 seasons. Under Watkins, Glen Rose claimed 10 straight district titles with 46 straight league wins, and was 19-10 in postseason contests. The Tigers went 6-6 in Watkins’ last season, including a 5-0 run in District 4-4A Division II to extend its league championship domination to double-digit seasons. Glen Rose defeated Mineral Wells 48-34 for a bi-district title, but suffered a 39-27 loss to Seminole in the second round. Watkins earned back-to-back state semifinal trips with the Tigers in 2022 and 2023, but Glen Rose failed to punch its ticket to the 4AII state final both seasons after losses to perennial powerhouses Carthage (42-35) and Gilmer (79-42). Prior to his decade-long tenure at Glen Rose, Watkins racked up a 22-5 overall record in two seasons as athletic director/head football coach at Eastland High School. He also was an assistant coach at Stephenville during the Yellow Jackets’ 2012 3AI state title run, and served on staffs at Cisco and Midland Lee. A Breckenridge native, Watkins played quarterback at Tarleton State University for two seasons, earning all-conference, all-region and honorable mention honors after leading the Texans to the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs. Watkins’ 29 passing touchdowns and 3,547 single-season passing yards in Tarleton’s 2003 season remain atop the Texans’ record board, while his 60.2 career pass completion percentage (2002-03) ranks second in program history behind Chase Sugarek (63.9 percent, 2000-02). Next season, Watkins and the Eagles take on the challenge of competing in a newly constructed District 4-4A, which will include Alvarado, Aubrey, Carrollton Ranchview, Castleberry, Godley, Lake Dallas and Springtown. “Decatur has got a tougher district than it’s been in, especially moving back to Region I,” Watkins said. “The region’s been a little reshuffled — some teams have moved out, and some have moved in. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the kids, and I want to see them go compete. We played Decatur for four years while I was at Glen Rose, so I know what kind of players Decatur has. Coach [Steve] Huff did a great job, and I’m excited about the future we have.” Decatur is slated to scrimmage Saginaw and Azle, and open the 2026 season with a road battle against Eagle Mountain Aug. 28. Watkins will replace Huff, who announced his departure April 23 after four seasons with the Eagles to become the new head football coach/athletic coordinator at Chickasha High School — a 4A school in Central Oklahoma. Compiling a 36-18 overall record at Decatur with a pair of 4AI state semifinal berths (2022, 2023), Huff led the Eagles to an 18-2 league mark, claiming district titles in his first two campaigns. Under Huff, Decatur finished 11-4 in 15 postseason games. Huff and the Eagles finished 8-4, placing second in 5-4A behind Springtown. Decatur earned 4AI playoff wins against Castleberry (63-14) and Paris (49-21) before falling to perennial powerhouse and state semifinalist Celina in the 4AI Region I semifinals, 33-7.