Former coach Jerry Burkhart back on sidelines for Richland Springs
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There will be a familiar face back on the sidelines for the Richland Springs Coyotes Class 1A Division II state title game against Jayton on Wednesday.
Jerry Burkhart, who coached the Coyotes to nine state championships, is back as the defensive coordinator for Richland Springs after a three-year suspension from the University Interscholastic League.
The UIL Executive Committee found that a recruiting violation had occurred on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, promoting Burkhart’s three-year suspension and Richland Spring ISD’s three-year probation.
Athletic Director and football coach Harley Ethridge said he was very proud of the Richland Springs school board and administration for allowing Burkhart to coach at the high school again.
“(The school board and administrators) were catching heat, going both directions,” Ehtridge said. “About half of the community wanted (Burkhart), a little less than half didn’t. But I think a lot of people’s perspectives have changed now that he’s back. At least, that’s the way it feels. We’re so glad to have him and we’re proud of our kids and our community, and we’ll do the best we can on Wednesday.”
Burkhart joined the Coyotes coaching staff on Wednesday, Oct. 25, ahead of their matchup against Rochelle, and has been on the sidelines since. He took over the position of defensive coordinator after Richland Springs coach Mike Watkins was suspended by the UIL State Executive Committee for the remainder of the 2025 football season on Monday, Oct. 6, regarding an alleged recruiting violation.
Watkins will also serve a two-year probation to begin the 2026-27 school year.
The decision from the SEC came from a referral after the District 15-1A Division II Executive Committee decision on Sept. 11, 2025, that ruled Mike Watkins engaged in recruiting activity with a vote of 3-1.
The DEC also ruled that Richland Springs ISD was not involved in recruiting activities with a vote of 4-0.
“(Watkins) has been a man in this situation – I’m proud of him,” Etheridge said. “The reason why the defense was so strong started with (him). He had a great plan and the kids responded to it… (Watkins) goes to all the games and we get passes for the state game and we gave him one. I hope he’s gonna come down on the field when it’s over. A lot of hugs and tears, I’m hoping.”
Richland Springs was the first Texas high school football program to win nine state championships, which all came under Burkhart between 2004 and 2019. With a win over Jayton, the Coyotes will tie Carthage for the second-most state titles with 10, only trailing Aledo’s 12.
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X @Paul_Witwer, Instagram and TikTok at pwitwer_sast.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Former coach Jerry Burkhart back on sidelines for Richland Springs
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