Nixon-Smiley CISD names Paul Kirby as new athletic director

Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) is excited to announce that Coach Paul Kirby is the district’s new athletic director. 

Kirby was named the interim athletic director when longtime Athletic Director Carlton McKinney retired in March. Kirby was hired last summer to be the district’s head football coach, as well as head coach of the powerlifting program

Coach Kirby takes over for Coach McKinney, who served the district for 25 years, 16 as athletic director and head basketball coach. During that time, he also served as head football coach for nine years. McKinney, who starred at Nixon High School before making a name for himself in the Southwest Conference at Southern Methodist University and eventually playing in the NBA, has been the face of Nixon-Smiley athletics since 2009.

Coach Kirby returned to Nixon-Smiley this year after spending a year as head offensive line coach for La Vernia ISD. Before the year in La Vernia, he spent two years as offensive coordinator for the Mustangs. Prior to his first stint in Nixon-Smiley, Kirby served as assistant football coach for the Gonzales Apaches.

Nixon-Smiley Superintendent Jeff Van Auken is excited to promote Kirby to the athletic director position.

“Coach Kirby is an incredibly passionate young man who has a genuine love for athletics!” Van Auken said as he announced Kirby’s promotion May 1. “We feel very fortunate to have an individual in house that is ready to put his stamp on our athletic program. His energy and enthusiasm for teaching and coaching young men and women is incredible and we look forward to watching our student-athletes grow as athletes and, even more importantly, as young adults.”

In his short time with the Mustangs, Kirby has developed an up-and-coming powerlifting program. Both his girls and boys powerlifting programs enjoyed great success this season, with his boys team winning all five of the meets they attended; he also sent eight young men to the State meet. Not to be outdone, the girls produced five State qualifiers, with the team finishing fourth — which included one champion. 

“We are very proud of what Coach Kirby has been able to do with our powerlifting program, as well as our football program, and look forward to having him guide our entire athletic program!” Van Auken concluded.

Look for more on this story in a coming issue of the Wilson County News.