Panhandle Football Coaches Wear More Hats, Get Paid Less Than Big-City Counterparts
By Cameron Newell camenewe@ttu.edu, Luke Johnson joh86217@ttu.edu
In West Texas, Friday nights still belong to football. But behind the scenes, many high school head coaches in the Panhandle are doing double duty—not just calling plays, but also managing entire athletic departments. These coaches often serve as both athletic directors and head football coaches, a workload that comes with added pressure but not always a higher paycheck.
That reality contrasts with the situation in larger Texas cities like Houston, where head football coaches tend to earn more despite holding fewer responsibilities. A look at some of the top earners in each region shows a clear gap in compensation and job structure.
At the top of the Houston-area salary chart is Carl Abseck from his time with Barbers Hill High School, who earns $179,917.67 annually. In 2024, Abseck led his team to an 8-4 overall record, including 4-2 in district play. After the season ended, Abseck took his coaching talents to Lufkin, Texas. His salary reflects both the competitiveness of his program and the size of the market in which he coaches.
Right behind him is John Snelson of Dickinson High School, making $154,030.37. His Gators finished the season at 7-4, boasting a strong 6-1 district record, which underscores his program’s consistency.
Although Gary Joseph of Katy High School ranks third in salary among the three, at $153,877.26, his performance outpaced the others. Joseph’s Tigers posted an impressive 11-2 record, including a perfect 8-0 in the district. Katy’s long standing football tradition likely plays a role in his compensation, but even so, Joseph earns less than two coaches with fewer wins, and like them, he is not serving as an athletic director.
Travel north to the Texas Panhandle, and the picture looks quite different. Here, most head football coaches also hold the title of athletic director, meaning they oversee the entire sports program, from varsity football to middle school tennis. And yet, they earn significantly less.
The top earner in the Panhandle region is Aaron Dunnam of Dumas High School, bringing in $118,532. In 2024, Dunnam’s team went 5-7 with a 2-3 record in the district, yet his responsibilities extend far beyond the football field. From hiring coaches to managing budgets and facilities, Dunnam’s role includes the administrative duties that would be separate in a large urban district.
Next is Dane Hamrick of Borger High School, earning $103,867. His team struggled in 2024, finishing 3-8 overall and 1-3 in district, but like Dunnam, Hamrick also oversees the school’s full athletic department, often working longer hours and with fewer resources than his urban counterparts.
Finally, Lyle Leong at Levelland High School earns $103,588, slightly less than Hamrick, despite posting a stronger season record at 6-2 overall and 2-2 in district. Leong, a former Texas Tech football player, has quickly made a name for himself as both a leader on the field and a manager behind the scenes.
While salaries vary depending on school size, funding, and performance, one trend is clear: Panhandle coaches are often asked to wear multiple hats for less money than big-city coaches whose only job is to win football games. That workload includes everything from overseeing transportation for all sports teams to managing coaching staff evaluations and coordinating compliance with UIL regulations.
Despite the pay gap, many of these coaches remain committed to their communities, embracing the dual-role model that’s common in rural and suburban school districts across Texas. However, as expectations for athletic success and program oversight continue to rise, the pressure on these coaches will only increase, raising questions about whether the compensation will ever catch up with the responsibility.
