If you want to know who our new head coach is, don’t start with his name. Start with his nickname: Mr. Intensity.

New Campus Athletic Director Jeremy Hickman is bringing his experience, grit, and passion to lead the next generations of Wildcat athletes.

Inspired by those who first taught him, Hickman’s pursuit to teach others has always been a part of him.

“My teachers and coaches had a huge impact on me as a kid,” Hickman said. “Education can change the trajectory of students’ lives, and that impact is rewarding.”

However, coaching in particular was what, literally, flowed through his veins. Taking on positions ranging from strength and conditioning coach to the athletic director of Fort Stockton Independent School District, Hickman’s been on every rung of the coaching ladder.

“My grandfather was a head football coach and that had a huge impact towards me pursuing coaching and education,” Hickman said. “Learning and growing through my experiences have molded me into who I am today.”

As Hickman suits up to be the head football coach of the Wildcats, who are coming off an 8-3 season, he’s looked back on his time as a linebacker at Western New Mexico University to help him mold his players for what’s to come.

“After playing at Western New Mexico University, I knew I wanted to give back to the game that gave so much to me,” Hickman said. “I wasn’t the biggest or fastest, but I had to outwork people every single day, and that’s the mindset I want to instill in my players.”

Returning to The Woods is special for Hickman. He was on the inaugural varsity football team staff in 2007 and coached for five years, laying the foundation for a future that is now coming to fruition.

“Coming back feels like a full-circle moment,” Hickman said. “The chance to return and lead this program, to build something special with amazing kids and an awesome community I respect, made it a leap worth taking.”

This leap was over a void far bigger than can be emphasized. Hickman is leaving the head coaching job at Fort Stockton — his alma mater, the school his grandfather coached at, and where he saw a monumental breakthrough in his coaching career.

“Leaving Fort Stockton was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” Hickman said. “That town, that team, the programs had come so far. … We built a culture where everyone, from players to teachers to parents, were all pulling in the same direction.”

But to leave such a great opportunity is only because the one that lies ahead is even greater. In Woods, Hickman sees the larger picture of a school that exemplifies greatness.

“I spent five important years here, and it always felt like a second home,” Hickman said. “It’s not just a job, this campus is very important to me to give back to a place that helped mold me and made such a huge impact on myself. Cypress Woods is a campus like no other and the standard of excellence expected makes us all better people.”

Knowing what has been done for him, Hickman is not lightly taking the agenda of giving back to Woods. Laying the groundwork from day one, creating a culture has been of utmost importance to him.

“My job goes far beyond winning games; it’s to prepare these young men for life beyond high school, as husbands, fathers, or in their careers,” Hickman said. “It takes a lot of work and an unwavering belief in oneself, and I feel our programs help develop those characteristics that are needed to have a chance to be successful in the real world.”

Hickman knows exactly what he’s come here to do, and though it may seem like just propelling our athletics programs, he’s also targeting goals that are much bigger than sports.

“We want to compete at the highest level, develop young men of character, and establish a winning culture that’s sustainable,” Hickman said. “I want every player who comes through our program to be proud of their time here and develop core values and characteristics that will help them be winners in life as well.”

His philosophies have the ethos to back him up. As head football coach at Fort Stockton, Hickman led the Panthers to their best consecutive seasons under one head coach in almost 50 years.

“I plan to bring the same culture of accountability, discipline, intensity, and unity that helped us succeed in Fort Stockton,” Hickman said. “I want to build a program that reflects the POWER of 212°, hard work, toughness, and a ‘Never Quit’ attitude where no matter what situation arises, the kids compete and never stop believing in themselves and their teammates.”
Intensity is a word synonymous with all who know Hickman. Over the years, he’s earned the nickname ‘Mr. Intensity,’ and all it takes is one workout to understand why.

“The nickname comes from my passion for coaching and the energy I bring every day, whether it’s practice, off-season workouts, or game day,” Hickman said. “My players will know I’m all in, and I’ll expect the same from them. At Cy Woods, that intensity will be matched with love, discipline, and a clear standard for excellence in all we do.”

“Mr. Intensity” has a lot of love in him, especially for Woods. Going forth, Hickman wants everyone to know that the Wildcats are on the verge of something incredible.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity. I don’t take this responsibility lightly,” Hickman said. “To the players, parents, and fans: I’m here to serve, to work, and to win the right way. Let’s work together and showcase that 212° spirit in all we do.”