A familiar face will take over the helm as athletic coordinator and head football coach at MacArthur High School. Irving ISD named Beck Nitcholas, a former coach at Irving and MacArthur high schools, to the role on May 25.

“My wife, Melanie, my boys Bryler and Banner, and I are excited to re-join the MacArthur Cardinal family,” says Nitcholas. “My coaching career began in Irving ISD over 20 years ago, and I am looking forward to once again being a part of an incredible program, faculty and staff.”

Nitcholas joined Irving ISD in 1998 as a coach and teacher at Travis Middle School. In 2001, he transferred to MacArthur High School, where he was defensive coordinator, linebackers, defensive line, running backs and junior varsity head coach as well as head track and field coach. His football teams advanced to the playoffs in 2018, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002. He also taught health, physical education (PE), outdoor education, Chinese and American Sign Language throughout his 15 years there. 

From 2016 to 2018, he served as defensive coordinator, health teacher and strength and conditioning coach at Irving High School, where he led the defense to a No. 17 ranking in the DFW area.

Nitcholas most recently served as assistant head football coach and PE department chair at Hebron High School in Lewisville ISD, where he coached the football team three rounds into the playoffs in 2018 and to the bi-district round in 2019.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Nitcholas back to Team Irving,” says Superintendent of Schools Magda Hernandez. “We look forward to great success under his leadership as we continue our quest to become the best district in the nation.”

Nitcholas holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of North Texas, where he was a four-year letterman in track and field. 

Nitcholas replaces Billy Skinner, who accepted a position outside of the district.