joshua Owls alumnus spotlight: corey hickerson

Corey graduated from JHS in 2004, after earning two varsity letters in football. He was a two-year starter at wide receiver and tight end for the Owls, and went on to play receiver at Oauchita Baptist University and Texas State University.

Currently, Corey is the Superintendent of Joshua ISD, a position he's held since January of 2023. That means his schedule is quite dense, but he was cool enough to take a few minutes to answer a couple of questions about his playing days at Joshua High School and beyond. Corey's answers are in bold.

How many varsity football seasons did you play at JHS?

Two seasons (2002 and 2003).

What position did you play at JHS?

Wide receiver and tight end. 

Can you recall any all-district, all-county, or all-state honors you received in football?

Yes, I was honored to be named First Team All-District and First Team All-County as a wide receiver. 

What was your favorite win as a Joshua Owl?

My favorite win had to be homecoming against Crowley my senior year. We went into overtime and won the game. 

While playing football at JHS, who were some of your most memorable teammates?  

Matt Haynes, Willie Reed, Trent Keaton, Joe (Butter) McCullough, Ryan (Big Baby) Reames 

Who was your favorite coach in your time at JHS?

Craig Bethell 

Was coming back and working for Joshua ISD something that was always in the back of your mind as your teaching/coaching career progressed? 

Yes, Joshua has always been home to me. From the very beginning, I knew that one day I wanted to come back and give back to the community that shaped me. Every step in my career I knew was preparing me for this moment. Returning to Joshua isn’t just about coming back to a familiar place; it’s about investing in the students, families, and traditions that mean so much to me. I’m proud to be here, not only to make a difference, but to carry forward the values and spirit that make Joshua ISD special. 

What are some of the things about the game of football that make it such a great tool for teaching young folks about the game of life? 

Football is so much more than just a sport. It teaches discipline, accountability, and the value of hard work. As players, we learn quickly that success doesn’t come overnight; it comes from showing up every day, putting in the effort, and trusting the process. Football also emphasizes teamwork, understanding that every role matters, and no victory comes from individual efforts alone. It builds resilience, because no matter how many times you get knocked down, the game demands you get back up and keep going. Most importantly, football teaches character. Through the highs and lows, people discover how to lead, how to follow, and how to handle both victory and adversity. Those are lessons that stick with us long after the last whistle blows. 

What are some of the challenges being the Superintendent of the district you not only attended, but that your wife currently works for and your children currently attend? 

One of the biggest challenges, yet also one of the greatest blessings, is the deep personal investment I have in this district. Because my family is here, every decision I make doesn’t just affect our staff and students, it affects my own household. That adds a layer of accountability and pressure, because I want to get it right for everyone. It can be challenging to balance being both a dad and a superintendent, or supporting my wife as an educator while also leading from the district level. At the same time, it keeps me grounded and gives me a unique perspective. I see Joshua ISD through the eyes of a parent, a spouse, and a former student, and that pushes me to make decisions with both heart and vision. The challenge is real, but the reward of serving the Joshua community that has given so much to me and my family makes it all worthwhile.

Give me your prediction of Joshua’s 2025 record: 

7-2. We were right there last year and I know we can turn the page this year and make it a meaningful season, and I can't wait to watch it.

Thanks Corey, those are fantastic answers, especially the ones about the lessons football teaches, and the challenges of being so invested in Joshua ISD. As a former teacher/coach I can attest that it's REALLY easy to view a district level administrator as someone that seemingly makes decisions in a vacuum (decisions that most teachers feel are made for the sole purpose of making their job harder). Every now and then it's useful to be reminded that a human being with a lot of personal and professional stake in the outcome, as well as a host of factors to consider, is the one steering that particular ship.

I picked Corey to spotlight for a few reasons, the main one being there's just not a ton of Superintendents that also played varsity football in the district they serve; that's really cool. But there was a selfish reason as well, as I also wanted to thank Corey (and it's always been easiest for me to write how I feel).

I think most folks know my story, but here's the short(ish) version: I'm an opioid addict that used daily for almost 15 years; I taught and coached for almost four years and coach at Joshua High School; while working in JISD, I was stealing prescription medication from a co-worker and ingesting it on a semi-regular basis, which the powers-that-be in the district discovered; they confronted me with the evidence, I admitted to it, resigned that day, checked into rehab, and saw my teaching certificate get suspended for essentially two years. 

What's that have to with Corey? He was JISD's assistant superintendent when all this went down. He was also one of the people in the room when everything happened on what's thus far been the worst day of my life. Corey, like everyone involved that day, handled the situation with professionalism, compassion, patience, and sympathy, which I was (and still am) immeasurably grateful for. But more than that, he's both permitted and encouraged me to become a small part of JISD once again, in the form of play-by-play announcer here at OOTA.com. It would have been easy for him to wash his hands of me, but he didn't do that, and now this gig has quickly become my favorite job* ever. I'm so glad that Corey and the rest of the folks involved in the decision have allowed me to do this, and I can't thank them enough.

Thank you, Mr. Hickerson. Go Owls.

*JISD has not and does not pay me for anything related to OOTA.com. I solicit sponsorships from folks like Andy Strickland at Platinum Insurance, Tye Chittum of Chittum Electrical & Design, and Jason Miller at PennMill Plumbing. All are spectacular business owners, and I can't recommend enough that you utilize their expertise.