Photo Courtesy of Coach Derek Ward, Westwood High School
One of the oldest cliches in football is that defenses win championships. That’s the mindset that new Westwood Head Coach and Athletic Coordinator Derek Ward brings with him from Houston as he heads into his first campaign at the helm of the Westwood Warriors.
After playing high school football at Salado, the 43-year-old Plainview, TX native has been on the defensive staff of several outstanding Houston-area squads. Following three seasons as Houston Bellaire’s defensive coordinator, Ward was the defensive backs coach for three seasons at powerhouse Katy. That run began in 2015 when the Tigers gave up an astonishing 3.9 points per game on their way to being the top defense in the United States, winning the 6A Division II State Championship and being named one of the UIL's 100 Greatest Teams of All-Time.
Ward, who holds a Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration from Concordia University–Irvine and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Texas State University, next became the defensive coordinator at Humble Summer Creek for two seasons, was an assistant coach at Katy Tompkins from 2020-23 and spent last season as the defensive coordinator at Katy Freeman before accepting the top spot at Westwood. He takes over from longtime Head Coach and Athletic Coordinator Anthony Wood, who retired last spring.
“There were a number of factors that attracted me to the position,” states Ward, an avid golfer and fisherman who share sons Jaxson (8) and Jacob (5) with his wife, Ashika. “I believe the factor that attracted me the most was the small town feel of the school within a big city.
“Westwood has a strong and passionate alumni base and a very tight-knit and supportive community,” he continues. “I believe the elements are here to create sustained success.”
Westwood has seen a series of talented quarterbacks and other skill players over the past few years, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but the program has struggled with depth and numbers. Ward hopes that his defensive background will help keep his squad in games as he looks to build on the program’s deep history.
“My expectation is to have a well-coached team in playoff contention in November,” he states. “Moving forward the expectations are to grow the program numbers, bring the best out of our kids, and to be in the playoffs on a regular basis.
“I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter at Westwood High School.”
