The athletic director position has recently been split between head football coach Chris Cochran and head volleyball coach Jessica Dimsdle. Dimsdle will be in charge of all the girls’ athletic teams while Cochran will be in charge of the boys’ athletic teams. They received their new roles after former head athletic director, Mike Maddox, retired last semester.

“I was very honored that our administration felt confident in my ability to do the job successfully,” Dimsdle said. “I am excited to work with all the athletes and coaches in this position.”

With their new roles, the two coaches will take on new responsibilities. They will now oversee the entirety of their departments and handle jobs such as finances.

“I am the head football coach, but that is only part of my job,” Cochran said. “Another part of my job is supporting coaches and their teams. I want all of those teams to know that I am behind them 100%.”

Dimsdle has been coaching in Lindale for seven years. She became head volleyball coach when she moved here in 2015.

 “We already have a great girls’ coaching staff, so my hope is that every program will continue to excel,” Dimsdle said. “We want every athlete to leave our programs a better person and knowing that they learned something through the adversity and hard work necessary for athletics.”

Cochran started coaching in Lindale in 2005-06, then went to coach at his alma mater,  Hallsville. He returned to Lindale to coach in 2015. 

“I would like to see us compete at a very high level, every time we step on the field or court,” Cochran said. “I want our teams to be known for their character, on and off the field. I want our young men to treat people the right way in our community, and I believe wholeheartedly that our character translates to how we compete and perform when things get hard on the field or court.”