Congratulations Ged Kates, Richland High School head football coach, on being chosen as one of the two “Hometown Hero” Key Influencers to ride with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels – planned for Wednesday, Oct. 25. 

2017 Bell Helicopter Fort Worth Alliance Air Show

U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron 

HOMETOWN HERO RIDER NOMINEE BIO – GED KATES

Coach Ged Kates is in his 19th year in coaching and teaching. He is a proud Richland Alum. He came to home to RHS after completing two years as the Head Football Coach at Fort Worth Arlington Heights High School. 

He has spent time coaching at Grand Prairie High School, Euless Trinity High, and Richland High School. Coach Kates is a graduate of Texas A&M University, and earned his Master of Education from Texas Woman’s University. 

He has been married to Melissa, an attorney, for 16 years and they are proud parents of three sons. Drew is 10, Brett is 8, and Clay is 6. He sees coaching as a calling, and helping young people grow in character, in the classroom, and athletically. Over the years he has mentored young men that have contributed to society in all occupations and community involvement. He has coached men that are now physicians, attorneys, business owners, community leaders in school districts and at the city level, and most importantly, good husbands and fathers. 

In 2016, Richland football set a school record with 10 victories, and won its first playoff victory since 1984. While this is noteworthy, it is only a small part of the football program. Richland Football gives back to the community by adopting families at Christmas, providing scholarships for outgoing athletes to further their education, and hosted a SafeHaven event for abused women and children. Currently, they are planning on visiting Cook Children’s Hospital to spread holiday cheer to those that are fighting illness. 

Ged Kates is honored and humbled to be nominated for the possibility of flying with this great organization.