It's only May 19, but it's been a whirlwind of a month for David Markley.
The 2025 District 4-6A Coach of the Year was reinstated as head basketball coach of Carroll High on Friday, May 16, after a shocking dismissal from the position was announced on May 5.
Markley posted on X (formerly Twitter) -- as he did when it was announced that he was being dismissed -- that he was, in fact, back as the head coach of Dragon hoops:
Word began to spread over the weekend of May 17 that Markley may be returning after Carroll head football coach and executive athletic director Riley Dodge expressed his support for the hoops coach. Community members also spoke in favor of Markley at a Carroll ISD school board special meeting.
Markley told 'The Fort Worth Star-Telegram' on May 5 that the dismissal was "out of nowhere," and said the district told him he was let go due to his "sideline demeanor and use of profanity." Carroll ISD said Markley resigned, per 'The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.'
As previously reported, what surprised so many about Markley's abrupt dismissal was the success he had enjoyed since becoming Carroll's head basketball coach. Markley was hired prior to the 2021 season and went 78-48 in his four years as head coach and won 20 or more games in three straight seasons -- a feat that no Dragon boys basketball coach had accomplished in over two decades.
Specifically, 2024-25 was a banner season for Markley and the Dragons, who compiled a 23-9 record -- including a 12-4 district record -- and won a playoff game. The 23 total wins was the most wins by a Carroll boys basketball team since the 2017-18 season. During the season, Markley won his 200th career game when Carroll won two of three at the Knights of Columbus Tournament in December.