New Front Lawn Landscape Project
"What happened to all of the landscaping??"
JULY 2025 - The 2015 Bond is still going strong, and we’re excited to share that the landscape plan has been approved and work is already underway!
Woodrow’s front yard landscape plan is one that Kyle Rains (WWHS ‘76) collaborated on years ago with a respected local landscape architect. The design was thoughtfully created using historic photos of the campus and original design documents, ensuring it honors the school’s rich heritage.
The plan being implemented by DISD was approved by the Landmark Commission some time ago, and we appreciate your patience as we’ve moved through the necessary steps.
Our beautiful historic building is getting a fresh look with new bushes, trees, a sprinkler system, and more. We’re thrilled to see this work coming to life—beautiful and ready for our Centennial Celebration!
Welcome, Coach Kincade!
Woodrow Wilson High School selects Keylon Kincade as athletic coordinator, head football coach
March 2025, DALLAS — Woodrow Wilson High School has named Keylon Kincade as its new athletic coordinator and head football coach, replacing John Fish.
"I am incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to lead the football team and campus athletics at Woodrow Wilson,” Kincade said.
“This is an opportunity that comes with tremendous responsibility, and I am fully committed to giving my all to the school, athletic department, and the Woodrow community.”
Kincade brings 17 years of coaching experience and a strong track record of developing student-athletes, building competitive programs, and leading with integrity.
Most recently, he served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Chisholm Trail High School in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, where his offense broke multiple school records.
Prior to that, Kincade spent 10 years (2014-2024) as athletic director and head football coach at Winona High School in East Texas, leading the program to numerous milestones and school records. He also coached at Mansfield Timberview High School (2010-2014) as special teams coordinator, head track & field coach, and associate head football coach. He began his coaching career in 2008 at R.L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth ISD.
A standout student-athlete himself, Kincade graduated from Troup High School in 2000 after earning all-state honors in football and basketball and competing in track. His football team reached the state quarterfinals his junior year after his basketball team advanced to the regional finals his freshman year.
He continued his football career at Southern Methodist University (2000-2004), where he became one of just five players in SMU history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season – a list that includes Eric Dickerson, Reggie Dupard, Craig James, and Zach Line. Kincade ranks sixth in school history with more than 3,000 career rushing yards at SMU and still holds the single-season and single-game records for rushing attempts.
A two-time team captain, Kincade earned All-Western Athletic Conference honors twice. Off the field, he served on SMU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. After college, Kincade signed as a free agent with the New York Giants and later joined the Dallas Cowboys, spending the 2004 and 2005 seasons on the Cowboys’ practice squad before earning a spot on the active roster in 2006. He also played in NFL Europe with the Cologne Centurions in 2005.
“Football is about building character, fostering teamwork, and creating a culture of excellence,” Kincade said. “My vision is to develop not just great athletes but great individuals who embody discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to continued success in the athletic program at Woodrow. Let's get to work.”
Coach Kincade's work ethic and dedication to his students and Woodrow is remarkably apparent. We look forward to great things, Coach!
Welcome, Coach Haywood!
Woodrow Wilson High School Selects Adrian Haywood as the New Defensive Coordinator
May 2025, DALLAS – Woodrow Wilson High School has named Adrian Haywood as its new defensive coordinator.
Adrian Haywood was born and raised in Mesquite Tx, where he played football at Mesquite High school and was a part of the 2001 State Championship Team. Haywood started his collegiate playing career at Tyler JC before moving to SMU for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. At SMU he was a two-time All-Conference USA honoree and was named the team’s defensive MVP as a senior.
Coach Haywood brings with him 15+ years of experience at high school, junior college, and NCAA division I levels. Haywood got his coaching start in 2009 at Tyler JC where he served as the defensive line coach and directed the development of a pair of first team all-conference players.
From there, he coached defensive linemen at Navarro JC in Corsicana, TX, where the team posted a 7-3 record and finished ranked No. 14 in the nation.
Haywood spent the previous three seasons coaching defensive tackles at Baylor, where he coached a pair of players who would play in the NFL, including All-Big 12 honoree Nicholas Jean-Baptiste. The Bears went 29-10 over the three years he served on staff, including consecutive bowl trips to the Valero Alamo Bowl in 2011, the Bridgeport Holiday Bowl in 2012, and the Fiesta Bowl in 2013.
Haywood then joined the Southeastern Oklahoma State coaching staff prior to the 2015 season as the defensive line coach. In his first season with the Savage Storm defense, the team posted a 6-5 record while finishing in the top half of the league in the four major team stat categories, including being third in the league in total defense. Southeastern matched the Great American Conference high for 2015 with eight sacks against Southern Arkansas.
As his family began to grow, Coach Haywood found that his real calling was at the high school level, developing students into men of integrity with courage of conviction and high moral character. He spent the last 4 years as defensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator for Terrell High School in Terrell, TX. Prior to that, he was the defensive line coach for North Mesquite High School for 3 years.
Coach Haywood and his wife of 9 years, Kristen, and have 3 children: sons Zaden and Adrian, Jr., and daughter, Riley Faith.
His coaching philosophy is one that seamlessly aligns with the spirit of Woodrow Athletics: “To establish a smart and relentless defense that believes in effort, physicality, and discipline, while excelling in fundamentals.”
Coach Haywood brings exceptional talent and experience to the Woodrow coaching staff. Welcome to Wildcat Nation, Coach Haywood!
Class of 2019 Alum, Xavier Gipson, makes a HUGE splash during the NY Jets Home Opener in overtime during MNF
August 2023 - NEW YORK — On Monday Night Football, New York Jets rookie Xavier Gipson electrified the Big Apple. His game-winning punt return for a touchdown sent the home faithful into a frenzy at Met Life Stadium, as the Jets overcame the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and shocked the Buffalo Bills in overtime. It was the type of moment Gipson dreamed of while growing up in Dallas.
Gipson was a four-year varsity player at Woodrow Wilson High School under former Wildcats head coach Bobby Estes. "If the ball was near him, he was going to find it and he was going to score," Estes recalled Tuesday morning. The 20-year Woodrow Wilson coach would often drive Gipson to school. As Estes explained, "He jumped in the truck and became part of the family." Estes, now the interim coach for Thomas Jefferson High School, went to bed early Monday night but saw the highlight early Tuesday morning and traded texts with one of his beloved former players.
Despite an offer from nearby SMU, Gipson chose to play college football at Stephen F. Austin in the FCS (formerly known as Division I-AA). He led FCS in receiving yards as a junior and was an FCS All-American as a senior. However, he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, due in part to his size -- 5-foot-9 and 189 pounds. After the draft, the Jets signed Gipson as an undrafted free agent. Shortly into training camp, the undersized underdog became a breakout star on the field -- and on HBO's hit series Hard Knocks. "You see it on Hard Knocks," Estes described. "He's got that smile. He had that smile in eighth grade."
Chandra Hooper-Barnett remembers Gipson's eighth grade year at J.L. Long Middle School. After all, she was the principal. "He was very jovial," said Hooper-Barnett, now the principal at Woodrow Wilson High School. "He was always playing in the hallway with the other kids."
Gipson's hometown roots remain strong. He comes back to visit often and works out at the high school in the offseason. On the final day before reporting for Jets training camp, Gipson was at the high school training and visiting with his former teachers. "Everyone loves Xavier," added Hooper-Barnett.
Gipson returns home this weekend when the Jets visit the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.
