A CDL or a pay cut? Texas coaches push back on controversial district policy

One Texas school district is requiring coaches to obtain a CDL to help drive buses for its teams. That mandate isn't sitting well with coaches statewide. (Courtesy Alvin ISD/Alvin ISD) High school football coaches across Texas were left baffled and enraged after one district shared how it encouraged coaches in their district to obtain their Commercial Driver's License (CDL).On Monday, the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association (THSADA) held its annual Fall Forum, a two-day professional development and networking event for athletic administrators statewide. In one session, Alvin ISD athletic director and former head football coach Mike Bass presented how his district incentivizes coaches to get licensed to drive school buses and other transportation vehicles to help get players to games across the state. "When an individual is hired on in the school district, they have one year to get their CDL. At the end of that ... one year, it's a 25% reduction going into year two," Bass said. "After year two, if they do not have their CDL, then it is a 50% reduction of their ... stipend amount going through year three. After the end of year three, if they still do not have their CDL, then they update their resume and they relocate."How does your district encourage coaches to obtain their CDL? ⬇️ During the Fall Forum Q&A session, Mike Bass of @AlvinISD shared how his school structures coaching stipends and CDL requirements: Year 1 ➡️ Coaches have one year upon hiring to secure their CDL. Year 2 ➡️ A 25% stipend reduction applies if not obtained. Year 3 ➡️ A 50% stipend reduction applies for non-compliance. Beyond Year 3 ➡️ Coaches who still do not have their CDL must seek opportunities elsewhere. All Fall Forum TAAC videos are now available on the website to those who registered. Stay tuned for more insights and takeaways from this year's sessions!- THSADA (@OfficialTHSADA) October 19, 2026Bass noted that principals at schools where he was head coach motivated the plan, always asking how he would motivate coaches to get their CDL to save the school money. Bass noted that coaches with medical issues or a history of driving under the influence would not have their pay decreased, so long as documentation is provided annually. Incentive or punishment?THSADA's video of Bass' presentation circulated on social media, with high school coaches across the state skewering Alvin ISD's mandate. Many coaches said the plan operates more as a punishment than an incentive, while stipend pay-which averages $4,500 annually for high school assistant coaches-has remained unchanged."Many coaching stipends have not changed for YEARS, but let's take 25%-50% off their stipend," said Spring Westfield High School assistant coach Steven Urgelles.This is not an incentive. This is a punishment. Many coaching stipends have not changed for YEARS, but let's take 25%-50% off their stipend. If we got paid like a regular bus driver and made a decent amount for driving each game … more coaches would line up to get their CDL.- Coach Urgelles (@coach_u87) October 19, 2026Alvin is not the only district to mandate CDL requirements for assistant coaches; in 2018, Killeen ISD implemented the plan, along with resources to provide the exam at cost and pay a bonus to coaches who got their license. Many districts push for CDL licenses for coaches not only to save money, but also because of a shortage of bus drivers and limited availability. A follow-up request from Alvin ISD leadership regarding their CDL plan for coaches to Chron went unanswered as of Tuesday afternoon.Urgelles, who also serves as a regional director for the Hispanic Texas High School Football Coaches Association, noted that if coaches were paid like bus drivers for each game, more would line up to get their CDL. Coaches say the policy could worsen a shortageOther coaches agreed with Urgelles, pointing out that this type of mandate encourages many to leave the profession altogether. "Maybe help pay for CDLs, or maybe compensate coaches for having them or driving buses, period," said Kirbyville High School offensive coordinator Tyler Bates. "Already a coaching shortage, doesn't seem very smart to get rid of coaches that are already underpaid because they won't come out of pocket to get a CDL." Or maybe Help pay for CDLS, or maybe compensate coaches for having them or driving busses period. Already a coaching shortage, doesn't seem very smart to get rid of coaches that are already underpaid because they won't come out of pocket to get a CDL🤷🏾‍♂️- Tyler Bates (@Coach_Tb2) October 19, 2026Coaches across the state also thought Alvin's plan was hypocritical toward football coaches, since the same pressures aren't applied to coaches in other sports or to teachers who oversee student organizations. "This is a terrible example of leadership," said Martins Mill athletic director and head basketball coach Greg Jenkins. "At Martins Mill our leadership gave 2k to get your CDL. Band? Cheer? Robotics? UIL? FFA? But coaches lose pay?"School districts usually hire coaches who also teach full-time. Given the time commitments, this can lead to workdays that run well beyond 12 hours. "You'd rather put coaches and kids at risk by adding another duty to a long list of things your coaches have to worry about during the course of a gameday!" said St. Philip's athletic director Samuel Padgitt. Bass was adamant that the plan has motivated coaches to get their CDLs, but coaches in Texas clearly heard a different message: Get your license, or else.More SportsPolitics | ICE detains Texas youth baseball coach after routine check-inBidding War | Texas 'dad shoe' wins $98M contract to outfit military recruitsFuture | Astros GM opening comes with uncomfortable Bagwell questionBroadcasts | J.J. Watt, Jim Nantz turn awkward experiment into Rio partyCatch up on Texas sports, sign up for the Launch Pad newsletter here. This article originally published at A CDL or a pay cut? Texas coaches push back on controversial district policy.