Danny David returns to coach Cats

The Pilot Point ISD School Board didn't have to look far to find a new head football coach.

In fact, he lives in Pilot Point.

The board voted to hire Danny David as the PPISD's head coach and and athletics director in a 7-0 vote Thursday night. He will replace Rob Best, who announced plans to retire in November.

David, who currently is the head coach an AD in nearby Collinsville, will join the PPISD on Feb. 8. He said he’s “extremely excited” to take the job and is eager to come home, in more ways than one.

“Pilot Point’s a very special place,” said David, who graduated from Pilot Point Selz High School in 1983 and played on the Bearcats’ 1980 and 1981 state championship teams. His head coach was the legendary G.A. Moore. David later was an assistant coach on Moore’s staff at Celina and upon Moore’s return to Pilot Point in 2002.

David said he’s most looking forward to building relationship with students.

“He’s known here and he’s got a track record and he’s going to bring back the program that a lot of people in this community are wanting to bring back,” PPISD board President Pat Burns said.

David, who has been in Collinsville since 2005, comes to Pilot Point after taking Collinsville to the playoffs nine out of his 12 years there. The Collinsville athletic program was successful in other sports as well, including track, softball, baseball, basketball and powerlifting.

PPISD Superintendent Dan R. Gist cited David’s integrity, discipline and his vested interest in the community among the key qualities the search committee found in David.

“I am confident that he will set a climate that is aligned with our core values, and I look forward to working with him,” Gist said in a news release. “He has a strong, disciplined program and a genuine love for kids.”