The Carroll Dragon Athletic Hall of Honor has a new class of inductees to recognize for their outstanding achievements. This year’s class includes five members – two former coaches, two former star athletes and one dedicated supporter.
“We are pleased to announce this year’s class of the CISD Athletic Hall of Honor,” Carroll ISD Athletic Director Kevin Ozee said. “The individuals selected have had a tremendous impact laying the foundation for the program and for the current success of CISD Athletics. In creating the Hall of Honor, it is our goal to honor the past, protect the tradition, and build for the future.”
The inductees will be honored at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 5 at the Athletic Awards Day at Carroll Senior High School.
This year’s class includes:
Dane Johnson, Athlete
Regarded as one of the school’s all-time greatest athletes, Johnson was a four-sport letterman (football, basketball, baseball, track) and star during Carroll’s reign in the Class 3A days. Johnson finished his high school career with three state championship rings (two in football, one in basketball). He was a first-team all-state running back and defensive back on the 1992 and 1993 undefeated state championship teams. Johnson was named the 3A Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. He was a starting guard on the 1992-1993 state championship basketball team and played centerfield on the baseball team. Johnson, an all-conference safety at Texas Tech, went into coaching after college and is the Flower Mound High School head football coach.
Kris Brown, Athlete
One of Johnson’s teammates, Brown was a sidekick in stardom. Known for his golden leg, the former all-state Dragon kicker added to the position’s legacy at Carroll. Brown was also a standout quarterback and helped lead the Dragons to the 1993 3A title and 16-0 record as a junior first-year starter. Brown was also an outstanding catcher and guard on the Dragon boys’ basketball team. He helped lead both teams deep into the playoffs. Brown, who also starred at Nebraska, recently retired after a 12-year career in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans. Brown currently lives in Omaha, Neb. His younger brother Drew has followed in the family footsteps as a junior kicker and baseball player at Carroll.
Chauncey Willingham, Coach
Few have contributed more to Carroll ISD’s athletic success than Willingham. He has years of sweat and dedication invested in nearly every Carroll athletic program and campus. The district has been rewarded with his passion, dedication and commitment over the past 38 years. Willingham has served multiple roles in the district and thrived as the girls’ basketball coach for several years producing numerous playoff teams and college-bound players. He kept the program at a high level, similar to his success as the cross country head coach for 10 years. Willingham has also served as head track coach, interim head boys’ basketball coach, interim athletic director, swim coach, assistant baseball, football and tennis coach, assistant principal and is currently the Director of Facilities.
Ken Cook, Coach
Cook represents the most decorated coach in Carroll’s rich history. Cook owns five state championship rings, including two as a head coach in two different sports. He arrived at Carroll in 1979 and coached the Dragon basketball team for 23 years and led them to the 1993 Class 3A state title. Cook also served as head baseball coach and steered the Dragons to the 2A state baseball championship in 1982. In football, Cook was the defensive coordinator assistant on the Dragon football teams that won 3A titles in 1988, 1992 and 1993. He also served as the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches president in 2002-2003. Cook is currently the head girls’ basketball coach and girls’ athletics coordinator at Boswell High School in Saginaw.
Gene Stanford, Dragon Supporter
Stanford is one of the original members of the Dragon Council, a small group of loyal supporters to Carroll ISD. The late Stanford was the leader in capturing the history of Dragon football on video. Perched atop old Dragon Stadium, the late Stanford began filming games in the late 1980s and continued for more than two decades. At that time, Carroll was much more limited on staff and equipment. Stanford, a former engineer, volunteered this service to the program to assist the staff with game footage to review and critique. Stanford edited game film in his basement and provided his footage to the Dragon coaches and booster club. The video production Stanford provided continues today. Stanford passed away in 2009.