Tioga ISD will feature new faces on the sidelines this fall, with three new coaches recently joining the Bulldogs' coaching staff for the 2026 school year.
Jason Dangerfield, Toni Leverett and Chris Stephens are the newest faces in Tioga’s coaching fold and will look to help continue the Bulldogs’ standard of athletic success.
“We’re excited to bring on these new coaches, coaches that share the same vision that we already have here and that are going to bring the juice and energy back into some of our programs,” said Zach Birdwell, Tioga athletic director and head football coach.
Dangerfield joins the Bulldogs' coaching staff as the new head boys basketball coach and the athletic coordinator at Tioga Middle School.
He arrives in Tioga after working the last three years at Prosper Rock Hill High School in Frisco, where he served as an assistant coach with the Blue Hawks varsity basketball team.
Dangerfield said he was thrilled when he got the news that he had been selected for the head coaching position.
“I was excited when I got the call, understanding the history they have here being a championship program in football and track,” he said. 'It’s also a great opportunity to come here and rebuild a basketball program that the community here can be proud of.”
He added that he’s received “a warm welcome” since arriving in Tioga.
“I know the basketball program has been struggling for the past few years, and they’re looking for the right fit, so I want to bring the same excitement that they have on the football field and that breakneck speed style of play onto the court,” Dangerfield said. “[Ultimately], I want to put a product on the floor that the community will love to come and watch.”
Leverett comes to Tioga as the Lady Bulldogs' new head basketball coach and middle school girls athletic coordinator after five seasons at Callisburg ISD.
Leverett, who previously coached the Lady Bulldogs from 2018 to 2021, said she’s excited to be back on the sidelines in Tioga.
“I’m treating it like coming back home,” she said. “… I love the administration here, and I’ve heard great things about the athletic program and the vibe they have here.”
She added that her previous stint in Tioga has helped ease her transition into the new roles.
“The group of incoming seniors were sixth graders when I was here last, and I was an elementary teacher, so some of them recognized me, but they’ve all been very welcoming,” she said.
Leverett said she’s looking forward to helping the Lady Bulldogs' athletic prowess blossom on the hardwood.
“These girls have been very successful in multiple sports, and I want to bring that talent over to the basketball program,” she said. “I’ve seen the work ethic that they have, and I’m excited to get started.”
Stephens joins Tioga’s coaching staff as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs baseball team, high school and middle football teams and the middle school basketball team.
He arrives in Tioga after a year at Tom Bean, where he served as the Tomcats’ head baseball coach.
“I had heard a lot of great things about Tioga,” Stephens said. 'People mentioned how good the good coaches and administrators are here, and so far, it's all been true … and the kids have been great too. They work hard and have welcomed me with open arms.”
Stephens said he’s looking forward to helping the Bulldogs continue to do what they do best.
“I coached against them last year when I was at Tom Bean and really respected the camaraderie they have here and the intensity and fun that they play with, and I want to help them maintain that,” he said.
