Parents, students and community urge Rockwall ISD to retain Heath girls wrestling coach

Dozens of parents, students and community members urged the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees to retain Heath girls wrestling coach Arman (also referred to in testimony as Mansouri), saying his leadership produced state qualifiers and transformed students’ outlooks.

"This program has seen the most success in its history," said Kaylin Keach, a parent, citing six district champions this season and rapid growth in girls' participation. Multiple students and parents described Arman's mentorship. "He dedicates his time to this team more than anyone I've known," said Amari Williams, who identified herself as a state runner-up at Heath.

Speakers told the board they had heard different reasons for the coach’s possible departure — including an alleged teaching-evaluation issue or an effort to create parity between campuses — and asked trustees to pursue solutions other than removing a successful coach. "Disrupting that doesn't just change staffing, it changes the trajectory of girls moving in the right direction," Keach said.

Other commenters pointed to the program’s competitive record and alumni honors. Matthew Gordon noted two Rockwall alumni were named NCAA Elite Scholar-Athletes and urged the district to publicize the district's wrestling achievements. Eddie Archuleta, a longtime local coach, said the district should provide parity in resources rather than dismantle a functioning program.

The public-comment record shows consistent, repeated pleas focused on student development, program continuity and mentorship. Trustees did not take a public vote on coaching assignments during the meeting; the matter was discussed during public comment and, by procedure, the board did not deliberate on non-agendized personnel topics on the record.