ALPINE — Alpine ISD has named Coach Jerry Dominguez to serve as the interim athletic director for the Fightin’ Bucks athletic program. Dominguez will step into the role following the upcoming departure of Coach Andy Smith, who was hired last week by London ISD to serve as their next athletic director and head football coach.
Dominguez has served as a Fightin’ Buck teacher and coach for nine years. During this time, he has served as the assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the Fightin’ Bucks football program, head powerlifting coach, and assistant baseball and basketball coach. As defensive coordinator, Dominguez has helped the Fightin’ Bucks football team win five bi-district championships and two district championships. He is especially proud of former Alpine Buck football players who have continued their defensive football careers at the next level.
As the head powerlifting coach, he has taken the Lady Bucks powerlifting team to Regionals two years in a row, and has coached four Lady Bucks state qualifiers and one Lady Buck state champion in 2024.
Dominguez previously served as the athletic director and head football coach in Charlotte ISD, where he led the Trojans to the playoffs in two consecutive seasons for the first time in 10 years.
Coach Dominguez played four years of collegiate baseball, including two years at Sul Ross State University. He was a pitcher for the 1996 Conference Champion Lobos, while earning his Bachelors of Science degree in kinesiology with a minor in biology.
Coach Dominguez currently serves as a special education teacher for Alpine High School and was nominated by fellow teachers as the 2023-2024 AHS Teacher of the Year. “We are excited to have Coach Jerry Dominguez build on the strong foundation set by Coach Smith over the past two years,” shared Alpine ISD Superintendent Dr. Michelle Rinehart. “Coach Dominguez is known in our district and community as a man of integrity and excellence, who is constantly focused on loving all kids and helping them maximize their potential. He epitomizes what it means to be a Buck, and is an ideal candidate to lead the Fightin’ Bucks and Lady Bucks forward during this transition.”
Smith will continue with the district through February 7. Smith and Dominguez will work together throughout the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition for the Fightin’ Bucks and Lady Bucks. Over the coming months, Alpine ISD will engage in a search process to hire its next athletic director and head football coach.
“I am excited and honored to be trusted with this leadership role to keep our program running smoothly for both our entire coaching staff and, first and foremost, the student athletes of Alpine ISD,” Dominguez said. “I have been part of this community for over 15 years, and I am completely committed to and invested in the continued success of our athletic programs.”