By J. Crisp/[email protected], Cleburne Times-Review?
GODLEY ? After a thorough process, Godley ISD has tabbed Curtis Lowery as the Wildcats? new athletic director and head football coach. {{more: continue …}}
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Lowery comes to Godley after two years as athletic director and head football coach at Levelland. The 41-year-old brings extensive championship pedigree, with 15 years of coaching experience at powerhouses such as Stephenville, Kennedale and Glen Rose along with playing experience at Stephenville High School and Texas Tech University.
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Godley Superintendent Rich Dear said Lowery simply ?stood out? among a group of nearly 250 applicants.
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?His commitment to family and developing genuine and positive relationships with student-athletes, faculty, and our community really impressed us,? Dear said. ?We also loved that he stressed academics first. The selection team felt like he was a great fit for our kids and community.
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?Curtis was in the sixth grade when Coach [Art] Briles came to Stephenville and he witnessed the transformation of that program firsthand. He has great knowledge and a track record of building an entire athletic and offseason program in all sports and grade levels.?
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Lowery said he applied to become the Wildcats’ next head football coach and AD because of the place Godley is.
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“To me, just being Godley,” Lowery said. “I couldn’t look at a map and hand pick a place that’s better to raise my family and a better place to work at. Everything about this place, I love it. I’ve competed against Godley and I’ve seen the spirit in the fans. I think it’s a premier job in the state.”
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Lowery was a member of Stephenville?s state championship-winning teams in 1993 and 1994 before continuing his playing career at Texas Tech, where he was an All-Big 12 offensive guard in 1998-99.
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Proximity to his home and family was an added bonus about taking the position in Godley.
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“It’s great to be closer to home,” Lowery said. “I’m a big family guy and it’s great to be around family and friends, and be able to raise my kids around their grandparents and cousins. It’s good to be back home.”
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In his first two seasons as a head coach, Lowery led Levelland to a 14-8 record over the past two years. In 2018, Lowery coached the Lobos to an 8-3 record and a district title.?
Prior to taking the head job at Levelland, Lowery was the offensive coordinator at Glen Rose (2016-17) and Snyder (2014-16). Before that he was the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at his Alma mater Stephenville, and helped coach the Yellowjackets to the 2012 state title. He also earned two state championships as the head powerlifting coach at Kennedale in 2007 and 2008, where he was also the offensive line coach working under former Godley Coach Richard Barrett.
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Lowery is no stranger to postseason competition on the gridiron. In his 15 years of coaching overall ? which also includes one-year stops at Grandview (2004-05) and Harmony (2005-06) ? Lowery has reached the postseason 14 times.
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?His track record of success was icing on the cake,? Dear said. ?When we first started this whole process, our school board and administrative team took inventory of the qualities and characteristics we wanted in our new AD.
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?We wanted a man of character, who valued relationship building, who would add capacity to our school district, and who fit with our core values and beliefs. We agreed that if we hired a great leader that created a culture around building young men of character and integrity, that wins would take care of themselves.?
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While performance on the field certainly matters, Lowery said he’s looking forward to build relationships with the students in Godley.
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?I’m a relationship guy with the kids but I’m going to demand excellence from the kids on the field, in the classroom, out in public and in the community,? he said. ?I’m going to push these kids to be the very best person they can be.
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“Leadership, high character, morals and integrity ? all of those things to me are what athletics are all about for kids to learn.?
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Lowery’s message to his Wildcat football players?
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“Get ready to work,” he said. “Yes, get ready to work. My deal is I want to build a championship culture here. We’re going to work hard every day, take it one step at a time and just get better.”
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Curtis and his wife, Katie, have been married 13 years and have two daughters; Charlee Anne (7) and Paislee (6).??
