Horn's Webb leaves to take over as head football coach at Rockwall

Rodney Webb has officially left his position as head football coach at Horn High School to take the same position at Rockwall.

The Rockwall ISD School Board approved Webb at a special session meeting on Friday morning.

Since taking over the Horn program in 2008, he has led the Jaguars to five consecutive playoff appearances, but this decision was based as much for what happens off the field as on it.

Webb's wife, Fran, is a teacher at Rockwall and his daughter is a freshman at the school and those were some of the factors that made this an offer he could not turn down.

"There were a lot of things but what it finally came down to is this is my home," said Webb, who has also maintained a longtime residence in the city. "I have a lot of relationships here, both directly and indirectly with the school, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to be home."

Webb's decision means that Mesquite ISD is looking for a new head football coach for the first time since 2010. MISD athletic director Steve Bragg said they have already started the search for Webb's replacement and are hoping to fill the position in a timely manner.

"With spring training right around the corner, we want to get that position filled quickly, but we have to make sure we find the right guy," Bragg said. "We expect Horn to continue to be a winning program but we also need to find the right fit for the kids, the school, the community and the school district."

For Webb, 45, Rockwall presents a new professional challenge. Prior to arriving at Horn, he coached at Royse City for five years, compiling a 44-16 record and leading them to four playoff appearances.

In 2008, Webb took over a Jaguars program that had never made the playoffs. He immediately changed the fabric and the mindset and it paid immediate dividends.

Horn, which was 31-28 during Webb's five years, made the playoffs in each of those seasons, including trip to the Class 5A Region II championship game in 2010.

Webb expects to see similar results at his new stop.

"I'm excited and I want to write a new chapter," Webb said. "I have worked hard to resurrect two programs in Royse City and Mesquite Horn and now I have a chance to do it with a third. This is a place I am confident where we can win."

This has been a whirlwind week for Webb, who interviewed for the position last Thursday and was offered the job shortly after. He addressed the Horn players on Wednesday.

And while that was a difficult experience on both sides, it is not the last the Jaguars will see of their former coach. Rockwall is a fellow member of District 12-5A, meaning Webb will be on the opposite sideline from the kids he has known so well in the fall.

"It is going to be emotional, there is no question," Webb said. "It took the kids a while to digest, but through phone calls or texts or directly, they have talked to me and I think they all accept it.

"But I think they will have Oct. 4 circled on their calendar and that will certainly be an emotional night for me."

Bragg hired Webb five years ago to jump-start the Horn program and is now searching for somebody that can carry on what has been built. He said he will be rooting for Webb in the future as long as there is not a team with 'Mesquite' in its name on the other end of the field.

"He did a great job taking the program from where it was to where it is today. It was everything he said he was going to do coming in and he has brought pride to the program and the school," Bragg said. "Rodney is a great football coach who has worked well with the kids and we take nothing but positives from his time. We wish him the best going forward except for three times a year."

Webb's first official day at Rockwall is on Monday but he was already hard at work at the school after the approval on Friday morning. And while he has nothing but excitement for the future, he is also aware and appreciative of what he is leaving behind.

"I think we have gotten that program established as one of the top 20 programs in the state of Texas and I am very proud of that," Webb said. "I think we changed the perception of the program not only at the school, but also in the community.

"I had five special years that I wouldn't trade for anything. There are kids there that have had a profound impact on me and that I will never forget."

Follow Devin Hasson on Twitter: @DevinHasson

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