AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Adam Cummings, the first head football coach in West Plains history, will transition to Canyon ISD’s Executive Director of Schools and Leadership.
Canyon ISD Superintendent Dr. Darryl Flusche said the position replaces a Deputy Superintendent role that became open.
“We’ve reformulated the position from Deputy Superintendent to Executive Director of Schools and Leadership,” Flusche said. “Beyond his professional experience, Mr. Cummings is deeply rooted in Canyon ISD in this community.”
Cummings said 14 of his 22 years in education have been with Canyon ISD in different capacities.
“Canyon ISD has a definite place in my family’s heart,” Cummings said. “It’s where my wife and I met 22 years ago. Our kids were both born in Amarillo, so to say that Canyon ISD is special to our family is an understatement and I do not take this lightly.”
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Difficult decision
Cummings said the decision to leave coaching was difficult to process.
“I’ve been a coach for 22 years and have been directly involved with students lives and impacting students,” Cummings said. “The reality is our identity for 22 years as a family has been wrapped up in being a coaching family and that’s hard to walk away from.”
Cummings said telling his players about the decision on Monday morning was the hardest thing he has ever done.
“When you pour into kids, and that’s been my life for over two decades, and then to say I’m closing that chapter and God’s opened another door, for me that was a bittersweet moment to be real honest,” Cummings said. “The reality is I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for the athletes and the coaches that I’ve had the opportunity to serve with over the past 22 years.”
District-wide gain
Canyon ISD Athletic Director John Peterson said Cummings’ move represents a significant shift for the district.
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“It’s a big loss for us in the athletic department but it’s a big gain for us district-wide,” Peterson said. “I have no doubt that he will do an unbelievable job.”
Peterson said Cummings brings qualities beyond coaching to his new role.
“He’s a coach but he’s so much more than that,” Peterson said. “He’s one of the smartest guys I know. He solves problems, he’s a presence, he knows how to work with people. Now the whole district gets to see him and just what kind of person he is.”
Expanded impact
Cummings said the new position will allow him to impact students beyond West Plains.
“I have the opportunity to impact two different feeder patterns on top of West Plains when you talk about Canyon and Randall,” Cummings said. “I have an opportunity to make a larger impact, if you will, and that’s exciting.”
Cummings said the West Plains community played a crucial role in his career advancement.
“If it wasn’t for the West Plains community and particularly the student-athletes, the coaches and the community support, I wouldn’t have got this opportunity. It allowed me to showcase who I am as a leader, but more importantly they were able to showcase all the success that they’ve had.”
Search for successor
Peterson said the West Plains head coaching position is one of the premier jobs in the Panhandle.
“What Adam has done at West Plains is absolutely incredible in the short time that West Plains has been there,” Peterson said.
Peterson said he is looking for a candidate who will continue building on the culture Cummings established.
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“I just want someone to be a kid magnet and to continue what Adam Cummings has built,” Peterson said. “That culture at West Plains is extremely strong right now so we just want someone that’s going to come in and continue building on that legacy.”
Peterson said there is no set timeline for the hiring process.
“We just want the best person. If it takes a week, if it takes a month, if it takes three months, we just want the best person for those student-athletes,” Peterson said.
Four years of growth
Cummings guided West Plains to a 42-13 overall record while establishing the program as a playoff fixture in UIL Class 4A, reaching the postseason in all four seasons under his direction.
Cummings said his time at West Plains was special because the staff was hand-picked.
“They all came to West Plains for a common purpose and that made it a little different, a little more special,” Cummings said. “The blessing that came from it, the opportunity that’s been presented to me and my family in this moment, I’m forever grateful.”
Season-by-season results
2022 (7-5): The Wolves opened their inaugural season with losses to Bushland, Midland Greenwood and Canyon before defeating Amarillo Palo Duro. West Plains beat Lubbock Estacado and Hereford before falling to Seminole in the district opener. The Wolves won four straight district games, defeating Levelland, Perryton and Borger before beating Pecos in the bi-district round. The season ended with a loss to Wichita Falls Hirschi in the area round.
2023 (13-2): West Plains fell to Bushland in the opener before winning 12 straight games. The Wolves defeated Midland Greenwood, Canyon, Amarillo Palo Duro, Lubbock Estacado and Hereford in non-district play. West Plains swept through district with wins over Seminole, Levelland, Perryton and Borger. The playoff run included victories over Clint, Graham and Monahans before falling to Glen Rose in the regional finals.
2024 (11-4): The Wolves dropped their opener to Seminole before beating Clint Horizon and Lubbock Estacado. West Plains lost to Bushland and Argyle Liberty Christian before opening district play. The Wolves went undefeated in District 2-4A Division I, defeating Canyon, Pampa, Canyon Randall, Dumas and Hereford. West Plains beat Clint, Brownwood and Lampasas in the playoffs before defeating Stephenville in the regional finals. The season ended with a loss to Celina in the state semifinals.
2025 (12-2): West Plains opened with four straight wins, defeating Seminole, Clint Horizon, Lubbock Estacado and Bushland. The Wolves fell to Argyle Liberty Christian before running the table in district play. West Plains beat Canyon, Pampa, Canyon Randall, Dumas and Hereford to claim a second consecutive undefeated district championship. The playoff run included victories over El Paso Irvin, Lampasas and Canyon in the regional finals before falling to Stephenville in the state quarterfinals.
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