Geller no longer coaching Centennial, named Burleson ISD assistant athletic director
Burleson ISD names Kyle Geller—the only head football coach in Centennial High School history—assistant athletic director of athletic operations
BURLESON — Kyle Geller is no longer the Centennial High School head football coach and athletic director after accepting a new role with Burleson ISD.
Burleson ISD named Geller—Centennial’s head football coach since Centennial opened in 2010—its new assistant athletic director of athletic operations Friday.
In Burleson ISD’s announcement, Geller said it’s been an “honor and a privilege” to serve as Centennial’s head coach and athletic coordinator and thanks the players and coaches for making his time in the role all he “ever hoped for.”
Coaching Centennial was a job Geller thanked God for, Geller said in August 2024 in an interview with The Burleson Buzz.
“It’s nice. I’m lucky. I’m blessed,” Geller said of being the Spartans’ head coach. “I thank God for that. When I go to church on Sunday, I thank God for that. I literally get in the kneeler and that’s what I do.”
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·What Geller believes has allowed him to coach the Spartans for so long is a combination of the team’s success and his desire to remain a part of the school and community he loves and has become attached to.
“First of all, it’s just the kids and the community and the people that I work for,” Geller said. “I just can’t imagine a better situation that fits me. They’re the best folks that I’ve ever worked for.”
Geller—a three-time Johnson County Coach of the Year and a 2022 finalist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram DFW Coach of the Year—coached Centennial to 11-straight playoff appearances since 2014, six bi-district championships, three area championships and a state-quarterfinal appearance.
Geller holds records for most single-season wins and most career wins by any football coach in Burleson ISD history.
“Transitioning into the assistant athletic director of athletic operations position made perfect sense at this time and I look forward to serving the district that I love in this capacity,” Geller said in Burleson ISD’s announcement.
Burleson ISD stated in its announcement it will immediately begin searching for Centennial’s new head football coach “to ensure a seamless transition and uphold the high standards of excellence established within the program.”
Geller’s departure as Centennial’s head coach follows him turning over offensive play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Eric Stephens ahead of the 2024 season after Geller called offensive plays since 2014.
Geller hired Stephens before the 2024 season as “somebody with much better expertise” running Centennial’s new offense after Centennial decided to move away from the run-heavy option-based offense it ran since 2014 to a more “conventional” offense in 2024.
“I know [Stephens] knows what he’s doing,” Geller said in the August 2024 interview. “You don’t hire someone and get in the way. You hire someone and let them do their job that they’re hired to do.”
As assistant athletic director of athletic operations, Geller will assist in the planning and organization of Burleson ISD athletic programs, including overseeing athletic facilities and event operations, preparing interscholastic game schedules, assisting with personnel recruitment and training and promoting the accomplishments of student-athletes and programs.
Burleson ISD superintendent Dr. Bret Jimerson said in the announcement that Geller’s experience, success and relationships with the district’s coaches make him an “outstanding” choice for assistant athletic director of athletic operations.
“[Geller’s] leadership and dedication to our student-athletes will be invaluable in shaping the future of BISD athletics, and we are proud to have him continue his journey with us in this important role,” Jimerson said in the announcement.
Kevin Ozee, Burleson ISD chief of interscholastic activities said in the announcement he’s thrilled for Geller, Burleson ISD athletics and the Burleson ISD community and said Geller’s been an outstanding leader at Centennial.
“[Geller’s] exceptional qualities—humility, competitive drive, ability to build strong relationships, willingness to take on any challenge, and deep passion for coaches and athletes—will have an immediate and positive impact across the district,” Ozee said in the announcement.
Geller will begin his new role once Burleson ISD Stadium and operations manager Ted Tomchesson retires in May at the end of the school year.