The De Queen Public Schools Board of Directors approved several leadership transitions during its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 12, following the announcement that Transportation Director Todd Pinkerton will retire at the end of the school year.
As part of the approved changes, Richard Bell will assume the role of transportation director while continuing to serve as head athletic director for De Queen Public Schools. With Bell stepping away from the head football coaching position, the board approved Drew Dykes as the new De Queen High School Leopard head football coach. Dykes will also serve as assistant athletic director.
Dykes is a De Queen High School graduate and lifelong Leopard. He grew up attending Leopard football games every Friday night and went on to play for the program from 2014 through 2016. His deep connection to the school and community brings a strong sense of pride and continuity to the position.
Dykes has spent the past three seasons coaching at De Queen Public Schools, most recently serving as head junior high football coach. During that time, his teams showed significant growth, posting an overall record of 15-12, including a 14-5 mark over the last two seasons. The junior high program captured a 5A South Conference championship, the first for the program since 2014, and consistently demonstrated improvement from the first game of the season to the last.
In addition to football, Dykes has served in multiple head coaching roles, including head junior high boys basketball coach and head senior high boys and girls track coach. His coaching philosophy centers on discipline, pride, strength development, and adapting schemes to best fit the strengths of his players.
“I believe in building off a kid’s strengths and motivating our players to compete with pride and passion,” Dykes said. “In order to have success, we have to be the most disciplined team on the field.”
Athletic Director Richard Bell expressed strong confidence in the hire.
“When looking for a head coach, there are many boxes you try to check during the hiring process, including dependability, character, work ethic, discipline, player development, loyalty, and love for the sport and the town of De Queen,” Bell said. “Most coaches will check a few of those boxes, but it is rare to find one who checks them all. We are fortunate to have a coach on staff who does.
“Drew Dykes, though young in his years as a coach, has the qualities of a seasoned veteran. His character as a man and his ability to lead young men both on and off the football field are exactly what you look for in a head coach. I believe his success will be based on more than wins and losses. It will be based on the young men he helps mold into successful adults that the town of De Queen can be proud of.
“What excites me about this hire as athletic director is knowing I am hiring a coach I would trust with my own children, as well as the children of this community. Drew Dykes is that coach. He is a Leopard at heart and will do a great job leading the next chapter of De Queen football.”
As he steps into the varsity role, Dykes looks forward to coaching many of the same players he previously led at the junior high level and continuing to build on the foundation already in place.
“This opportunity means the world to me,” Dykes said. “Leopard football has been a huge part of my life, and I am honored to be trusted with this program. I am thankful to the school board, administration, Coach Bell, and this community, and I am ready to get to work.”
De Queen Public Schools looks forward to continued growth and success within the Leopard football program under Dykes’ leadership.