Just-retired Canadian High School Athletic Director Chris Koetting will be honored as the 201st inductee into the 65th Annual Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. A ceremony will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, June 11, at the Grand Plaza of the Amarillo Civic Center.

Canadian Wildcat Coach Koetting was the head coach of the greatest football dynasty in Texas Panhandle history. From 2010 to 2022, his teams were 165-24, and won three state championships: in 2014, 2015 and 2020. The 2015 team is widely-regarded as the greatest 2A team in the state's history.

With three state titles to his credit, Coach Koetting is tied with Blair Cherry of Amarillo High (1934-36) as the only area coach with three state championships. Koetting’s 49 playoff victories with the Wildcats are the most by any coach in Texas Panhandle history.

Coach Koetting will be among five inducted in what is likely the top class ever inducted into the Hall of

Fame. In addition, five special awards will be presented during the ceremony, as well as presentations to coaches and athletes of the year in eleven sports.

Jon Mark Beilue, Charman of the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame, has issued a special invitation to Canadian ISD faculty, administration and students to attend the June 11 ceremony, and to see this special coach and man honored in this manner.

“I'm letting you know this because I am sure it would mean a great deal to Coach Koetting to get the support from the school district where he succeeded like no Texas Panhandle football coach ever has,” Beilue said, adding, “One of the requirements for induction is to have retired as a player or coach. The ultimate honor is to get a player or coach in immediately upon retirement. Joe Lombard of Canyon is one example. Coach Koetting is another. There just aren't many.”

Admission to the induction ceremony is free.