Texas High Athletic Director and head football coach Barry Norton switched sides of the state line to become the new Athletic Director and coach for Arkansas High School.

It all happened rather suddenly Tuesday evening as news broke from the Texarkana Arkansas School District that they had hired Norton to take over the position from Todd Ledford who announced his resignation in December.

The Texarkana Arkansas School District is proud to announce the appointment of Barry Norton as the new head football coach and athletic director. Todd Ledford resigned from the position in early December.

Coach Norton graduated from Hooks High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from East Texas State University. Norton brings over 30 years of coaching experience to the position. With a history of turning athletic programs around, Norton says he is excited to have the opportunity to join the Razorback family and build a successful program. “I look forward to working with our students, families, staff and community to continue the proud Razorback tradition.”

Norton previously served as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Texarkana Texas Independent School District which received State Championships in football, swimming, baseball, and boys track. He led TISD to multiple district and post seasonal championships in all sports. Prior to coaching at TISD, Norton taught History and coached at West-Orange Stark High School and Lufkin High School.

“The road to success in rebuilding the football program, as well as our other programs, will be both challenging and rewarding,” said Norton. “We must focus on what’s ahead of us and move forward.”

Superintendent Dr. Becky Kesler said she is confident that Coach Norton will hit the ground running. “The selection committee felt Coach Norton’s leadership qualities and wealth of experience put him over the top in a very competitive pool of candidates,” said Dr. Kesler. “Coach Norton’s enthusiasm and passion for the game is contagious and we are fortunate to have him as our new Head Football Coach and Athletic Director.”

The school district will hold a press conference to officially introduce Coach Norton as the new man at AHS. That conference will be am 10AM Wednesday at the Administration Building at 3435 Jefferson Ave.

As for the Texarkana Texas Independent School district, they said that they knew last Friday that there was interest from Arkansas High in Norton. T.I.S.D. Executive Director of Public Relations said, "the District will begin the process of hiring a new Athletic Director and Head Football Coach as soon as we receive an official letter of retirement from Coach Norton."

Norton has coached in Texas long enough to receive retirement benefits from the state.

 

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