Copperas Cove ISD adds assistant athletic director, defensive coordinator

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove athletic program has a new assistant athletic director, with Gary Carpenter being approved during the CCISD school board meeting via Zoom on Monday afternoon.

“(I’m) looking forward to getting down there and getting to work. Go Bulldawgs,” Carpenter said in a social media message. 

Carpenter, the former athletic director and head football coach of Class 2A Woodsboro, resigned his post last Monday to take the assistant athletic director and defensive coordinator position for the Bulldawgs. 

Carpenter went 0-10 in his only year with Woodsboro. He was a defensive coordinator in 5A Floresville for three years where they combined for a 15-17 overall record and a 10-7 district record before taking the Woodsboro job. He has also coached at Henderson, Burleson Centennial, Garland and Lubbock High during his 15-year career.

Carpenter is a graduate of Texas Tech University.

No word yet on the status of current defensive coordinator Cody McCauley or how the new hire would affect his position.

Carpenter will work under new athletic director Jason Hammett, who was promoted from assistant athletic director to the top spot after two years with the Bulldawgs.

The spring football season is still in jeopardy with school closures and UIL activities suspensions running through at least May 4.

The Bulldawgs open their season with a scrimmage at Austin Vandegrift before non-district battles with Stony Point at home, Georgetown on the road and Austin Bowie at home. The Dawgs then travel to Belton to take on the Tigers to open District 12-6A play on Sept. 25 after their open week on Sept. 18. Cove then hosts Shoemaker, travels to Leo Buckley Stadium on Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 15 to face Killeen and Ellison, respectively. Cove then closes the regular season with a homecoming matchup against 12-6A newcomer Bryan before another Thursday night matchup at Leo Buckley against Harker Heights and the regular season finale at home against Temple for senior night.