Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers has voiced his support for Lee Munn as the next head football coach at his alma mater, Southlake Carroll. As the school district actively interviews candidates, Ewers expressed his preference in a social media post, tagging Carroll ISD, school board president Cam Bryan, and Superintendent Jeremy Glenn.
Ewers, who played a pivotal role in leading Carroll to a state runner-up finish in 2020, joins a chorus of current and former players advocating for Munn’s promotion from his role as associate head coach and defensive coordinator. Eric Garza, a former linebacker now with Texas, stated emphatically, “Only one right answer! Lee Munn.” Meanwhile, Drew Cunningham, a former offensive lineman transferring to North Texas, added, “Protect the Tradition #HireMunn.”
The head coaching position at Southlake Carroll is highly coveted, given the program’s storied history, which includes eight state championships. Former head coach Riley Dodge boasted a record of 107 wins and 10 losses over eight seasons, including two appearances in the state title game. Munn has built a strong reputation since joining the staff in 2018, overseeing a defense that ranked second in scoring among Dallas-area 6A schools, allowing an average of just 12.5 points per game. Under Munn’s guidance, the team achieved a national ranking as high as No. 3.
Potential Candidates for the Role
While Munn is a strong contender, he is not the only candidate being considered for the position. Other names in circulation include Jeff Rayburn, head coach of Frisco Lone Star, and Jeff Joseph, head coach at Port Neches-Groves. Rayburn led Lone Star to the 5A Division I state runner-up finish this season, while Joseph’s team claimed the 5A Division II state championship in 2023. Joseph previously served on Dodge’s staff as a special teams coordinator and defensive assistant, while Rayburn has connections to Carroll from his time as a player under Todd Dodge.
Amid speculation surrounding the search, there were whispers that former head coach Todd Dodge, who led the team to four state titles from 2000 to 2006, might return. Although Dodge endorsed Munn for the head coaching position, the district is exploring all options.
“We are pleased to share that we’ve received a diverse and highly qualified pool of applicants from across the country,” said Cam Bryan during a special board workshop meeting on January 12. “This reflects the strength of our district and the reputation of our football program. We want to be very clear: we will not rush this decision or settle for anything less than the right fit for our district.”
Next Steps in the Search Process
Carroll ISD is moving forward with its interview process, aiming to conclude the search ahead of schedule. The district hopes to announce a new head coach by February 2025. Two school board meetings are scheduled next month, on February 5 and February 23, where updates on the coaching search will likely be discussed.
Despite an open records request for a list of applicants, the district indicated that no records were available, suggesting they may be interviewing candidates who have not formally applied. As the community awaits a decision, the support for Munn from notable alumni like Ewers highlights the deep emotional ties and expectations surrounding the football program at Southlake Carroll.
