88R8869 CW-D
By: Hughes S.R. No. 41
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Joe Willis is retiring as head football coach at
Legacy High School in Tyler in 2023, drawing to a close an
exceptional career in education and school athletics that has
spanned three decades; and
WHEREAS, After taking the reins of the Legacy gridiron
program in January 2020, Coach Willis helped the Red Raiders claim
their first playoff victory in more than a decade and to win two
bi-district championships, and the team was a state finalist for
the 2021-2022 National Football Foundation High School Excellence
Award; moreover, several of his players have received full
scholarships to play college football; he has further benefited
Legacy students through his work as campus athletic coordinator;
and
WHEREAS, Coach Willis first joined the head coaching ranks in
2004 at Iraan High School, and he guided the Braves for three years
before becoming a member of the coaching staff at Cedar Park High
School; rising to the post of head coach in 2012, he led the
Timberwolves to the UIL 4A Division 2 championship during his first
season and to another state title game appearance in 2014; he next
took the head coaching job at Colleyville Heritage High School,
producing playoff berths in each of his five campaigns, including
trips to the regional semifinals and state quarterfinals; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his 14 years as a head football
coach, Coach Willis compiled an outstanding career record of 113
wins and 62 losses; moreover, his teams went 25-10 in postseason
action, with a combined total of six district titles; among his
accolades, he was honored as the 2012 Dave Campbell's Texas
Football 4A Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Joe Willis has served as an inspiring mentor and
role model to countless young Texans, helping them to excel both on
and off the gridiron, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his
many achievements as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his
life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby congratulate Joe Willis on his retirement as head football
coach at Legacy High School in Tyler and extend to him sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Coach Willis as an expression of high regard by the
Texas Senate.