The Path to Panhandle
Twenty years of coaching experience has taken Dane Ashley through some of the Texas Panhandle’s most storied programs – from Tascosa to Amarillo High, with stops at Levelland and Bullard along the way.
Now as Panhandle High School’s athletic director and head football coach, he’s built a program known for its disciplined approach and unwavering standards. Dressed in his signature all-black game day attire, Ashley embodies the three words his players use to describe him: tough, disciplined, and fair.
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Poetry and Pigskin
Before he was drawing up offensive schemes and running inside run hull drills, Ashley had a different creative outlet – poetry. It’s a hidden talent from his high school days that might surprise his current players, though these days he’s more likely to be found listening to the Jocko Podcast in his office than crafting verses.
This blend of artistic background and athletic leadership has shaped his coaching philosophy: “Never give up, out work those more talented.”
Building Panthers Pride
When asked about the toughest opponent his Panthers face, Ashley points to nearby Stratford, noting their physical style of play – a testament to the caliber of competition in the Panhandle’s small-school divisions.
His approach to preparing for such challenges?
“Coach em all, just keep slinging it at em – some of it will stick,” he recalls as the best advice he’s received in his coaching career.
It’s a philosophy that’s served him well as both head coach and athletic director.
Community and Camaraderie
For Ashley, what makes the Texas Panhandle sports scene special is the “camaraderie amongst coaches,” a brotherhood strengthened through Friday night battles and mutual respect. But it’s the dedication of Panhandle’s kids that truly stands out as his favorite part of coaching in the community.
With his motto “Fight em till Hell freezes over” and a straightforward goal to “Win em all,” Ashley continues to build a program that reflects both his intensity and his commitment to excellence. If he weren’t coaching, he says he’d be a strength trainer – though the Panthers are surely grateful his path led him to their sideline instead.