Burbank High School has a new leader on the sidelines, and it is a familiar face. Sammie “Mitchell” Ricker has been named the next head football coach for the Bulldogs, stepping into his first varsity head coaching role after a decade of grinding as an assistant.
Ricker, a UTSA grad and San Antonio native, spent last season as the defensive coordinator at LEE High School, where he helped the Volunteers field their stingiest defense since 2017. Before that, he was the defensive coordinator at Burbank in 2023, helping the Bulldogs punch their ticket to the bi-district playoffs.
Now he is back at Burbank, this time with the big whistle, and he is ready to keep the momentum rolling. Burbank is fresh off an 8-3 season and its first district title since 1978.
“I am very excited,” Ricker said. “A strong foundation has already been set at Burbank. They have great kids, great leadership, and a great community. I feel lucky and blessed to have this opportunity.”
Ricker plans to keep things moving fast on both sides of the ball, mixing three- and four-man defensive fronts and running a spread-to-run offense.
With his energy, experience, and deep San Antonio roots, Ricker feels like the perfect fit to keep the Bulldogs climbing.
