The Florence File...

Joey Florence begins his 17th year of coaching, 6th as head coach of the Ryan Raiders. The 39-year-old native of Rockwall has led the Raiders to four straight state title appearances, back-to-back AAAA state titles in 2001 and 2002, and a regional final in the programís first year back in class 5A.

Florence graduated from Rockwall High School in 1984 and from The University of Texas in 1989. He began his coaching career under the legendary James Cameron at Sulphur Springs. Four years later he accepted the secondary job at Flower Mound Marcus High School. One year later he would take his first head coaching job at class AA Cooper, Texas. While at Cooper, Florence compiled a record of 53 wins and 16 losses. The Bulldogs won 3 district titles and made 6 consecutive trips to the playoffs.

In 2000 Florence inherited a Denton Ryan team that had gone 1-9 in 1999. In his first season the Raiders went 12-3 and lost to Bay City in the AAAA Division I State Championship game. In 2001 Ryan beat Smithson Valleyin overtime to capture their first state title. 2002 saw the Raiders repeat as state champs with a 38-8 victory over Brenham. In 2003 Ryan lost in triple overtime to Lamarque in the state championship game. Raiders finished their first season in class 5A with a 12-2 record and a regional final appearance. Florence has compiled a 68-8 record in five years at Ryan and a 121-24 overall record as a head coach. He was selected the Class AAAA Coach of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 2000. His peers selected him and his staff to coach the North All-Stars in the 2003 Texas High School Coachesí All-Star Game. Joey and his wife DeeDee have been married for 17 years. DeeDee is a 1985 graduate of North Mesquite High School and a 1990 graduate of East Texas State University in Commerce. She is a ěReading Recoveryî teacher at W.S. Ryan Elementary. They have two daughters:Hannah Jo (6) and Haley Drew (4).