Texico names Durham principal

Keith Durham always knew he’d be a basketball coach, but he never figured he’d be a principal. Starting Monday, he’ll be both.

Durham, a Portales native, was promoted Tuesday to become principal at Texico High School.

In his third year at Texico, Durham, 42, plans to keep his current positions as a history and physical education teacher through the school year. Next year, he will end teaching duties, but still continue his positions as girls basketball coach and athletic director.

He replaces interim principal T.L. Brooks, who was filling in the position after Buddy Little left following the fall semester to become superintendent at Tatum.

“I had numerous people that I certainly respect say I’d be a good principal,” Durham said. “It’s really a step I never thought I’d take. I knew I’d coach all my life, but I never thought I’d be a principal.”

Texico Superintendent R.L. Richards said Durham was chosen from a field of 22 candidates and made two rounds of cuts before being in the final three applicants.

Durham’s time coaching has certainly been successful. His Lady Wolverines squad finished 28-2 and repeated as Class 2A state basketball champions. However, he figures his positions will collide and he hopes he’s prepared.

“There are always going to be conflicts when you’re administrator and athletic director and you’re a coach,” Durham said. “I’m going to have to do a good job, when I’m a principal, to be a principal, and when I’m a coach, to be a coach, and separate the two.”

Richards figures Durham, an Eastern New Mexico University graduate, will be up for the challenge.

“Our mission is to provide the best, well-rounded students we can,” Richards said. “He fits into it because he understands the area and he understands the philosophy of Texico Schools.”