West Orange-Cove CISD is excited to announce that the board of trustees approved Hiawatha Hickman as the Mustang’s next Athletic Director/Head Football Coach during the Monday night meeting.
Hickman began working for the district in 2016 and has taught and coached for WOS for over six years; he collectively brings 22 years of teaching and coaching experience to the position. He is enthusiastic about the opportunity to impact students and the community on a larger scale as he takes on his new role. Hickman says, ” I am honored to be offered this special opportunity to lead the Mustangs’ athletic program.”
The district shares Hickman’s enthusiasm. Superintendent Dr. Rickie Harris stated, “The district is focused on putting the right people in the right places to best serve our students. Hiawatha Hickman will be an outstanding leader for our Athletic Department. Our goal is to replace a legend (Coach Thompson) with someone who has high character, respectful, and can serve as an excellent role model for all students; Hickman checks all those boxes.”
The timeline to take on the role full-time will go as follows:
February 7- June 30, 2022, Hickman will transition from Assistant Principal to active AD in the absence of Coach Cornel Thompson.
Then, beginning July 1, 2022, he will take on the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach position full-time for the Mighty Mustangs. Hickman will become the fourth AD/Head Football Coach in West Orange-Stark history.