Frisco ISD on Monday evening named Dallas Woodrow Wilson head coach John Fish as the next head football coach at Frisco Heritage High School, Fish replaces Kenneth Gilchrist who was named the head coach at Prosper Richland in mid-December.

“We are familiar with Heritage having gone against them at times over the past decade, they have great kids, great leadership and school culture, I watched the great job Coach Gilchrist did and I am excited to have the opportunity to build on the great work he did,” said Fish.

Coach Fish, a native of Duncan, OK has spent the past three seasons leading Woodrow Wilson High School posting a 16-17 record and three straight playoff appearances, the Wildcats were 7-4 in 2024. Fish started his coaching career in Oklahoma at powerhouse Del City where he spent three seasons on staff including the final two years as offensive coordinator.

The new Frisco Heritage coach crossed state lines in 2013 joining the staff at Frisco Lone Star where he spent five seasons with the Rangers, the final two seasons as offensive coordinator. Fish then landed his first head coaching job at Bonham where he led the Purple Warriors for two seasons, including an 8-3 mark in his first season at the helm. Fish returned to Frisco Lone Star for the 2020 and 2021 seasons before heading to Woodrow Wilson to lead that program in early 2022.

“Our kids go to school in Frisco and my family has a lot of ties to the area and that made it very attractive for us,” said Coach Fish who also praised campus leadership as he got to know them better during the process. “Our principal Michelle Zurek, is a rock star, her vision for athletics and how it’s valued on campus won me over immediately, she has a full understanding of athletics and the importance to the campus. I feel like it’s a gift as a coach when you get a principal that truly understands the value of athletics. Frisco ISD athletics have created a great standard and the athletic department is so supportive and what a great opportunity for my family,” said Fish.

“The hardest part of this process is leaving Woodrow, there’s incredible kids and leadership on campus and there’s a special community at Woodrow. It has changed me as a coach and teacher, the community embraced me and my family and allowed us to have an impact. I’m forever grateful because Woodrow is a special place and they’ll continue to do incredible things,” said Coach Fish who anticipates starting his new role at Frisco Heritage the week of February 24.

Fish’s departure from Woodrow Wilson leaves one of Dallas ISD’s better jobs open after a young Wildcats squad posted a 7-4 record a year ago. Expect Dallas ISD to post the job externally and conduct a statewide search for the Wildcats next head coach.