Bushland has promoted offensive coordinator Josh Reynolds as its next athletic director and head football coach. [Kale Steed/ Press Sports
It has been a whirlwind of a 24 hours for Josh Reynolds.
Wednesday morning, Reynolds, came to Bushland’s strength and conditioning workouts like any other day ready to help his athletes put in the work.
Before 8 a.m., Jimmy Thomas called him into his office to inform Reynolds he was resigning as Bushland’s athletic director and head football coach after six seasons to take the principal job in Channing.
Stunned by the news, Thomas then told Reynolds he had recommended him to be the next in line to take over the program.
“I can’t thank coach (Jimmy) Thomas enough,” Reynolds said. “From the time he got here six years ago he’s been great to me. He’s been a mentor, and I’ve learned a lot from him. Not just football, but life as well. That makes it a smoother transition. I know he’s wanted this for me and it helps he gave me the responsibilities through the years to prepare me for this situation.”
As the morning continued, Reynolds met with superintendent Chris Wigington to discuss the head coaching position, and by 2 p.m., he received the news from Wigington that he had been promoted as the new athletic director and head football coach to lead the Falcons.
“Tuesday was chaotic,” Reynolds said. “I don’t have any finger nails left, I chewed them off. Tuesday was probably the longest day of my life, but a great day. There were just so many emotions. You hate to see Jimmy (Thomas) leaving. We’re close friends, so going through those emotions of him leaving to possibly getting the job, to then getting the job was overwhelming. All the calls, the text messages, all I can way is overwhelming.”
This will be the 41-year old’s first head coaching job. Reynolds, a 1997 Dalhart graduate, has been the offensive coordinator of the Falcons high-flying attack under Thomas for the past six years. Reynolds had coached at Hereford for nine years before he was hired on as an assistant at Bushland in 2012.
Reynolds says to land the job the way he did was shocking, however, it’s opportunity he’s been waiting on for a longtime.
“This is unbelievable timing for myself and my family” said Reynolds, who went graduated college from Texas Tech University. “We love Bushland. What makes this job is the kids. We have great kids here at Bushland. I couldn’t ask to be in a better place, and we have a great coaching staff that I can lean on. I can’t thank Mr. (Chris) Wigington enough for trusting me. Also, the school board for trusting me for this opportunity.”