THSCWA Woman of the Year
Each year, the Texas High School Coaches' Wives Association recognizes an outstanding coach's wife as our Woman of the Year during the annual THSCWA Coaching School Convention. This prestigious award honors a woman who exemplifies exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to her family, school, and community while making a lasting impact on the coaching profession.
We are proud to celebrate the remarkable women who are nominated each year and look forward to recognizing our next THSCWA Woman of the Year at the annual Coaching School Convention.
Nominate a Woman of the Year
Nominations for the next THSCWA Woman of the Year will open in Spring 2027. We encourage members to nominate a deserving coach's wife whose leadership, service, and commitment have made a meaningful difference in her family, school, community, and the coaching profession.
The recipient will be selected by the THSCWA Board of Directors and officially recognized during the THSCWA Coaching School.
Join Us for the Celebration
The Woman of the Year presentation is one of the highlights of the THSCWA Coaching School. We invite all members to join us as we honor this year's recipient, celebrate our scholarship recipients, reconnect with coaching families from across Texas, and enjoy a weekend of fellowship, professional growth, and inspiration.
Coaching School registration opens each May. Be sure to join us for this special celebration and all the events that make the THSCWA Coaching School a memorable experience.
2026 Woman of the Year
Sam Gates
The Texas High School Coaches' Wives Association is proud to recognize Sam Gates as our 2026 Woman of the Year.
Sam serves as the Director of Clinical Strategy & Practice for the Clinician Talent Strategy Center of Excellence at Humana. A Registered Nurse with more than 27 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to serving others through compassionate care, strong leadership, and a commitment to developing and mentoring those around her.
Her heart for service extends far beyond her profession. Sam serves on the leadership team for the Matthew 25 (M25) Ministry at Legacy Church of Fort Worth, helping lead outreach efforts that put Christ's love into action through practical service. She is passionate about sharing God's Word, investing in others, and encouraging young women, especially single mothers, as they navigate life's challenges with faith and purpose.
As the wife of longtime football coach Ray Gates, Sam has faithfully embraced the unique calling of the coaching profession. After serving as the wife of the Head Coach at North Crowley High School, she now proudly supports Ray in his role as Special Assistant to the Head Coach and Defensive Edges Coach at the University of North Texas. Throughout their coaching journey, Sam has been a source of unwavering encouragement, strength, and grace for her family and the many coaching families whose lives she has touched.
Family is at the center of everything Sam does. She and Ray have been together for 16 years and married for 14 years. They are proud parents to two sons, Quentin and Sam, daughter-in-love Chasity, and loving grandparents to Kameron and Kaisen, who affectionately call her "JoJo." When she isn't serving others, Sam enjoys Pilates, jogging, reading a good book, and spending quality time with those she loves most.
Those who know Sam describe her as a woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and genuine compassion. Whether she is mentoring, volunteering, supporting a coach's family, or simply offering a listening ear, she leads with humility and serves with an open heart. Her life reflects the very values that define the Texas High School Coaches' Wives Association: faith, service, encouragement, and community.
Congratulations to our 2026 Woman of the Year, Sam Gates.
Past Woman of the Year Award Recipients
