John Snelson’s journey into athletics was a path he found at an early age. Raised by a mother who spent over 40 years as an educator and coach, Snelson’s formative years were spent following her through gymnasiums and learning the value of leadership, discipline, and mentorship. Now, as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Dickinson (Tex.) ISD, Snelson carries those lessons forward.
“From an early age I just knew that I wanted to be a coach,” Snelson says. “I saw how my mom treated people, how people treated her, just how much fun she had, and how much impact she had on her athletes. They would come back and we would go to their weddings and baby showers and all that kind of stuff. So I knew once athletics was over for me as a player, I was going to want to be a coach.”
Snelson’s Leadership Method
Being the head football coach at a Texas 6A school is a full-time job in itself, but Snelson’s responsibilities go beyond the gridiron. As Athletic Director, he oversees all of Dickinson’s athletic programs, making him responsible for the success of student-athletes across multiple age groups and sports. Additionally, he serves as the President of the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA), allowing him to impact high school athletics across the entire state.
“To handle both jobs, you’ve got to hire really good people around you,” Snelson says. “I’m very fortunate here at Dickinson. We’ve got a boys’ athletic coordinator and a girls’ athletic coordinator that really handle everything during football season while I’m being the head football coach.”
It’s a balancing act that requires both strategic delegation and trust in his staff. Once the football season ends, Snelson gets involved in Winter and Spring sports, assuring every program receives the attention and resources it needs to succeed. From approving restaurants for away games to entering bus schedules, preparation and organization is crucial.
“You want to be as proactive as possible, getting everything done early,” Snelson advises. “There’s going to be lots of things that will distract you, so you just want to get as much stuff done while you can. Because once the season gets going, it’s a little chaotic.”
The district utilizes a software system to track practice schedules and facility usage, so each sport is set up to get its fair share of time in the gym, on the field, or in the pool. This keeps things running smoothly once the school year starts, minimizing conflicts and ensuring that all teams work together seamlessly. It’s an approach that helps the Dickinson athletic department keep pace with the demands of a competitive 6A program.
“We always want to look like a duck,” Snelson says. “Really calm, cool, and collected on top of the water, but paddling like crazy underneath.”
Football Focus
Football is king in Texas, and Snelson embraces the pressure that comes with competing at the 6A level. He splits the season into three segments: non-district, district, and playoffs. The non-district schedule is filled with tough opponents designed to push his team and reveal areas for improvement.
“We try to play really, really tough teams, so we can see exactly where we are and what we need to work on,” he explains. “We’re taking the lessons that we learn from our non district season and applying those to every district game, so that we can continue to improve every single week.”
During the district schedule, the goal is simple: win a district championship. When the playoffs roll around, there’s no margin for error. Dickinson faces powerhouse programs like North Shore and Atascocita, but Snelson’s focus remains on consistent effort and improvement.
Despite football’s high profile, Snelson is committed to making sure that every sport at Dickinson gets the attention and resources it deserves. He works hard to make sure that all athletes, regardless of their sport, receive the support they need to succeed.
“We make sure our athletes get to the other sports whenever they are in season,” Snelson says. “And we make sure that all of our coaches are getting celebrated with recognition and awards, and that the representation is fair. It’s never going to be equal because of the size of teams and amount of money that different things cost, but we make sure that everything’s fair.”
Work-Life Balance
With such an intense workload, finding time for family and personal life can be a challenge for any coach or administrator. Snelson is mindful of this, both for himself and his staff. He believes that a healthy work-life balance is key to long-term success, and encourages his staff to prioritize their families as well.
“It’s kind of a catch 22,” says Snelson. “We spend so much time with other people’s children, helping raise them, that when we get home we have to be careful not to be so mentally tired, physically tired that our families get what’s left over. So I think that’s key as an athletic director and a head coach, that you are mindful of your assistant coaches’ time with their families.”
To protect others from burnout, Snelson recommends remembering why they entered the field of athletics to begin with. He reiterates that everyone working in athletics had a coach that left a lasting impact on their life, and in the end, sports are meant to be fun.
“We’re in it to change the life and landscape of our kids,” Snelson says. “Yes, we do get judged on how many games we win and lose, and that’s a big deal too. But the most important thing is to be that person for our athletes that helped us get into education and athletics in the first place.”
John Snelson’s leadership at Dickinson ISD is a living example of how to balance the demands of being both a head football coach and an athletic director. Through strategic delegation, proactive planning, and a deep commitment to his staff and athletes, Snelson has built a successful athletic program that thrives on and off the field. His ability to manage such a wide array of responsibilities while maintaining a strong focus on work-life balance is a testament to his leadership skills, dedication, and passion for developing student-athletes.
