05/31/2026
The Bulldogs are planning to hit the practice field Monday morning for summer strength and conditioning under the direction of new North Dallas head football coach Hunter Henzler.
The North Dallas summer program is open to all student-athletes in all sports, including those entering 7th grade or higher. Some sports may be going at different times.
“We will use the summer to get faster, stronger, and it also gives us an opportunity to install our base offense and base defense,” Coach Henzler said. “It also gives us an opportunity to make
sure our kids are getting good nutrition surrounding our workout times.”
The 34-year-old Henzler, who has been coaching for 13 years, is a student of the game of football and building leadership. His coaching journey includes stops at Slaton, Wylie East,
Daingerfield, Coppell, Woodrow Wilson and Mesquite. He’s learned and grown from each stop.
“The various people I’ve worked for and alongside have given me many opportunities to see different styles of football and leadership,” he said. “I have grown every year I have coached
both in knowledge of X’s and O’s, but also in how to lead people (both athletes and staff).”
Coach Henzler began coaching at Slaton High School under the guidance of Offensive Coordinator Gaylon Selman and Defensive Coordinator Michael Brooks, who was also the chemistry teacher.
On Coach Selman, Henzler said, “He was the No. 1 influence on me. He was a grizzly bear of a man. He was a kinda rough around the edges, but he had a heart as big as you could ever imagine. He treated us like we were his own sons. That’s where I got a lot of my inspiration from. He was unbelievable. He coached us hard, loved us harder.”
On Coach Brooks, Henzler said, “It was the same kind of deal. Very tough on us. Loved us. Phenomenal classroom teacher. He gave me my first taste of coaching. I was not the best athlete but he saw leadership qualities in me. So he had me run the warmup exercises every day. I ended up getting the leadership award in track.”
In middle school, Coach Henzler said coaches Pat Dixon and Eddie Kilmer were also “huge influences. Very old school guys.” They were also the head coach and offensive coordinator at the high school through his freshman year.
“All four of those dudes,” he said, “the biggest thing to me is that they worried more about who you were and trying to make you a better young man than trying to win at all costs. I think a lot
of people lose that in today’s society. We have to win, win, win.
“If you’re not teaching kids to do it the right way, it’s going to be a flash in the pan. You can have short-term success by trying to win at all costs, but you’re not having the impact that I’m in it to do. And eventually, that’s going to dry up.”
Coach Henzler mentioned other coaches, but spoke highly of Mesquite head coach Rafael Thomas.
“I learned so much about being a leader,” said Coach Henzler, who worked at Mesquite less than a year. “It was a doctorate-level crash course in leadership and being a head coach. And I don’t know how to explain it other than that. He is a phenomenal leader.
“He has very high expectations. and you’ve got two choices: either you reach those expectations or some people who couldn’t reach them wind up finding somewhere else to go. I was fortunate that I was both. I reached those expectations. I think that’s what finalized my preparedness to be able to take over an athletic program.
“Seeing how he operated from day to day. His expectations are not just of his athletes, but also his personnel, his coaches,” Coach Henzler continued. “He’s a guy that is not going to accept anything less than your best, but what it’s going to take to be successful. That was a really big deal for me to see how he demanded excellence from everybody. It was awesome.”
Coach Henzler is inheriting a North Dallas football program that went 4-6 overall and 3-4 in District 8-4A D1 last season. With a new fieldhouse, gym and practice field, the football program has made great strides over the past six years, but the record doesn’t reflect all the achievements.
Coach Henzler, who started at North Dallas on April 17, brings fresh energy and a new approach. He has been busy getting to know the school and his players.
“Teaching and coaching can be hard. It’s just like anything else,” he said. “Sometimes it feels like you’re going to work, but most of the time it doesn’t, in my opinion. But there are tough days. Those relationships with the kids are what keeps you going.
“I think that one of the big things when you come in somewhere new is setting the standards with the athletes, with the coaches, on what things need to look like. What our expectations are
of the kids, but then also being able to make sure they know you care. I’ve been intentional in explaining why we’re doing the things that we are.”
Coach Henzler looks forward to getting started on Monday.
“Again, I can’t reiterate enough how excited I am to be a part of this athletic program,” he said, “and the great things that are going to continue to happen here.”
05/31/2026
05/31/2026
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