The Rockwall-Heath Hawks hit the practice field Tuesday, Aug. 4 for the first day of fall camp, launching Casey Dick's first season leading the program.

RISD Athletics marked the occasion on X, signaling the Hawks are ready for 2026 with the hashtag #SoutHside, a nod to the identity Dick has been building since his arrival.

Dick, an Allen native and former University of Arkansas quarterback, was approved by the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees on March 5 as the Hawks' athletic coordinator and head football coach. He replaces Rodney Webb, who retired in February after a 36-year career in Texas high school athletics and three seasons at Heath.

The new coach brings a championship résumé. At Fayetteville High School in Arkansas, Dick went 55-25 over seven seasons and led the Purple Dogs to the 2023 Class 7A state title with a perfect 13-0 record, earning Arkansas Coach of the Year honors. Fayetteville enrolls more than 2,800 students, making it comparable in size to a Texas 6A program.

Before Fayetteville, Dick guided Van Buren High School to its first playoff appearance since 2000 and helped establish Bentonville West's football program as offensive coordinator. He also coached quarterbacks at Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club, contributing to that program's first playoff berth.

"What we have built together goes far beyond wins and losses. It is about relationships, growth, resilience, and pride," Dick wrote in a March farewell letter to Fayetteville players and staff before accepting the Heath job, as reported by SI.com.

Dick inherits a Hawks squad that went 8-4 in 2025 with a 4-2 mark in District 10-6A, falling to eventual Class 6A Division I runner-up Duncanville in the area round. The Hawks completed their UIL-regulated spring practice window in May, giving Dick his first organized on-field work with the roster.

The district figures to be a gauntlet again. Dave Campbell's Texas Football calls 10-6A one of the state's most competitive, and defending district champion North Forney is coached by Marcus Shavers, Dick's former teammate at Allen High School and college roommate at Arkansas.

Heath opens the 2026 season Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. against Denton Guyer in a non-district road game.