Paula Wilfong, right, led the Farmersville softball team to eight playoff appearances in 10 seasons. Photo by Jerry Winfrey / C&S Media
By David Wolman
It was a decision that Paula Wilfong had contemplated for three years.
Wilfong said that it was a privilege to coach for the same high school for which she played shortstop for before she graduated in 2004 and went on to play collegiately for Northwood University.
However, with her daughter, Zella, getting older and playing sports, Wilfong knew at some point that she had to decide between continuing to coach softball at Farmersville or stepping away and having more quality family time.
Wilfong made the decision at the conclusion of this past season to step down as head coach after 10 seasons at the helm. She will continue to serve as a sixth-grade teacher in Farmersville ISD.
“I would say that I would like to coach here for another 15 years, but with me having a girl at home and her being involved in sports, as well as other family things that I didn’t want to miss, it was time for me to step down,” she said. “I hit a wall not being home as much as I wanted. It was time for me to step aside for now.”
Wilfong coached softball, volleyball and basketball at Blue Ridge for six years, four as the head softball coach, before being hired by Farmersville in 2016. Not only was she excited about returning to her alma mater and playing for the community that raised her, but Farmersville was a shorter drive from her home in Rockwall than Blue Ridge.
Farmersville struggled to an 8-18-1 record in her first season, but the program took a huge step in the right direction in her second year, when the Lady Farmers finished with a record of 15-9 and a playoff berth to boot.
It was the beginning of an upward trajectory for Farmersville. The Lady Farmers made the playoffs in eight of the 10 seasons that she coached in Farmersville, advancing past the first round six times.
Farmersville’s best season with Wilfong in charge came in 2023 when the Lady Farmers went 25-11 and made an appearance in the regional semifinals. The Lady Farmers missed the playoffs this spring and finished with a 9-15-2 record. Wilfong amassed a 138-99-4 overall record during her tenure at Farmersville. She earned her 200th career coaching win during a playoff game last year.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” she said. “I’ve had the privilege of shaping the lives of all the players and students, but they have also shaped my life. I’m grateful for every moment that I’ve had here.”
Wilfong thanked her husband, Zach, and her parents, Debbie and Paul Davis for their support during the last 16 years.
“Over my 10 years of coaching softball at Farmersville, my parents have missed 20 games,” coach Wilfong said. “They bleed purple and gold.”
Wilfong was also thankful of the support that she received from school administrators, players, people that have served on her coaching staff over the years and members of the community.
She said that her high school coaches, Kevin Garvin, Brian Garner and Julie Vigil all made a huge impact on her during her playing career.
“Coach Garvin made a huge impact on me,” coach Wilfong said. “He was a very passionate guy.”
Wilfong is appreciative of everyone that has served on her coaching staff, including Kaitlyn Branam and Richard Fetty, and also team managers, Madison Brooks, Lexi Lindamood, Kenna Erwin, Kalli Virag, Madison Hornbuckle, Katlyn Bagwill, Red Baxter, Avery Simpson, Lexi Jackson, Piper Long and Audrey Boring.
“Coaching alongside Richard Fetty was one of the best parts of my coaching career,” Wilfong said.
Wilfong is also for the time that she got to spend with Farmersville’s softball players, including Haley Lewis, who tied the school record for most home runs during her senior season, and also recent graduate Bella Holland, and alumnae Callie Yellen, Christa Lannon, Destiney Madewell, Jamie Varga, Reese Fetty, Haley Lewis, Natalie Segovia, Alexis Bee, Baylee Baxter, Keelie Valliant, Mary Hibbits and Kaylea Bridges, amongst others.
“I’m definitely going to miss all of the relationships that I’ve built with everyone, the love of the game and being on the field,” Wilfong said. “The administration has done a terrific job of improving our facilities. I only got to see the turf field for one year, but that was a great change.”
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