Luke Blackwell

The Mineola School District announced that Luke Blackwell will become the new Athletic Director and Head Coach for the Yellowjackets in the regular March meeting last Monday.

Blackwell, the Yellowjacket assistant head coach and defensive coordinator was instrumental in the

success of the football program the past three years with his leadership in guiding the team to bring home the 2016 State 3A Division I State Football Championship Title.

Blackwell is a 1995 graduate of Mineola High School and after earning his degree in Business Administration and Finance from UT Tyler, began his teaching and coaching career in Coldspring School District in 2003. He returned to Mineola in 2008, where he has served as head boys track coach for the past nine years as well as defensive coordinator and the assistant head football coach for the past five years during which Mineola had three consecutive semi-final and two state qualifying years before earning the State Title in 2016.

Blackwell’s level of excellence also carries over to his head boys track coaching role as evidenced in the program’s success with six straight district championships, two consecutive area championships, a regional championship, and a state championship in the 4X400 relay in 2015.

During his tenure, 18 school records have been broken in track.

Superintendent Kim Tunnell stated, “We are excited for the opportunity to name a Mineola graduate to the head coach and athletic director position and have the utmost confidence in Coach Blackwell’s ability to not only continue the tradition of excellence in our athletic programs, but also take us to the next level of competition in all boys and girls programs. His commitment to our students and the Mineola community is evident and we look forward to many years of success under his leadership.”

Blackwell has been married to his high school sweetheart, Ashley, for the past 16

years and they have two children, Addyson (9) who attends Mineola Elementary School and Jase

(2). He will assume this new position immediately.

“I am very grateful to have the opportunity to lead the Mineola athletic program into the next chapter of our district’s history. I am excited to continue to build upon the foundation and tradition that we have been able to establish through the tremendous success of our programs during Coach Drennon’s tenure. My family and I are honored and blessed to embrace this new position and to continue to serve and grow in this community with our MISD family” said Blackwell.