Derek Ward

Bio

Coach Derek Ward
Athletic Coordinator & Head Football Coach, Westwood High School

Coach Derek Ward brings over two decades of coaching experience to Westwood High School, where he serves as the Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach. With a proven track record of developing competitive programs and student-athletes on and off the field, Coach Ward has become a respected leader across Texas high school athletics.

Over his 21-year career, Coach Ward has held key roles including eight years as a Defensive Coordinator and four years as an Assistant Head Coach. His defensive leadership has shaped programs at Katy Freeman, Humble Summer Creek, and Houston Bellaire. In addition to football, he has also made a significant impact in track and field, serving as Head Track & Field Coach at Katy Freeman, Katy Tompkins, Katy High, Houston Bellaire, Fort Worth Arlington Heights, and Mayde Creek during his career.

Coach Ward’s teams have enjoyed consistent success, including:

Football: 18 playoff appearances, 6 District Championships, 8 Bi-District Championships, 5 Area Championships, 2 Regional Championships, 2 State Semifinal appearances, and 1 State Championship.

Football: Coach Ward was the Defensive Backs Coach for Katy High School during the 2015 season where they were the number #1 Defense in the United States, only giving up 3.9 points per game. That season culminated with 6A D2 State Championship and MaxPreps National Championship. That same team was named one of the UIL's 100 Greatest Teams of All-Time.

Track & Field: 5 District Championships, 1 Area Championship, 2 Regional Runner-Up finishes, 3 Top-10 finishes at the State Meet, a 3rd Place State Team Finish, 3 Individual State Champions, and 15 total State Medalists.

Track & Field: In 2024 Coach Ward led Katy Tompkins to a 3rd place finish at the UIL 6A State Track and Field Championships. In that meet Coach Ward's 4x100M relay team broke the 40 second barrier running 39.85, finishing 4th in the fastest 4x100M race in high school history. His 4x200M Relay team broke the 1:23 barrier and eclipsed the previous National Record running time of 1:22.72, finishing 2nd in the fastest 4x200M race in high school history. Ward is one of two high school coaches in National Track and Field History to have a 4x100M Relay under 40 seconds and 4x200M Relay under 1:23 in the same season.

Coach Ward holds a Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration from Concordia University–Irvine and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Texas State University. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, accountability, and character development — preparing student-athletes for success in competition and in life.

Away from the field, Coach Ward is a devoted husband to his wife, Ashika, and proud father to two sons, Jaxson (8) and Jacob (5). He enjoys spending quality time with his family, golfing, and fishing.