Michael Judd Thrash, Biography

Michael Judd Thrash is a dedicated Christian, husband, and father whose passion for coaching and mentorship has left a lasting impact on high school football programs across Texas.

Most recently, he served as Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Coordinator at Monterey High School in Lubbock ISD, where his leadership resulted in a remarkable transformation of the Plainsmen football program.

When Coach Thrash took the helm in 2022, the team was coming off a winless 0-10 season. In 2023 Coach Thrash was a candidate for the 5A Coach of the Year for Dave Campbell’s Texas Football for turning around the Lubbock Monterey Football Program. Thrash’s pedigree of winning was felt in the locker room at MHS in 2024. He led the team to a District 2-5A Division I championship, the school’s first district title since 2006. Thrash was named the District 2-5A Coach of the Year. He was also named the THSCA Region 1 5A Coach of the Year. He was also named the Avalanche Journal Coach of the Year as well. Thrash was also selected to be the head coach of the ASCO ALL Star game.

Before revitalizing Monterey, Judd Thrash was the Defensive Coordinator at Duncanville ISD from 2019 to 2022. At Duncanville, Thrash coached the number one defense in the Dallas area. The Panthers were the 6A state finalists in 2019 & 2021, while finishing those seasons with 14-2 and 15-1 records, respectively. His defense, considered one of the top units in the nation, allowed just 11 points per game in 2021. He also directly coached the Dallas Morning News Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, Ennis Rakestraw Jr, who played for the Missouri Tigers and now plays in the NFL for the Detroit Lions.

Thrash was the Athletic Director/Head Football at McGregor HS, where he was named the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football “Inspirational Coach of the Week”. He led the Bulldogs to a bi-district playoff game and his team beat Cameron Yoe for the first time in 50 years. He also served as the Interim Head Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Colleyville Heritage from 2014-2017.

At Colleyville, he helped turn around the program and led them to a regional championship. He also coached Maxx Crosby who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders and is considered one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. Thrash also made stops along the way at powerhouses such as Austin Westlake, where he was the Defensive Coordinator, and Lake Travis. While at Lake Travis HS for three seasons, the Cavs finished 16-0 and won the 4A state title. While he was at Lake Travis, the program made Texas History by winning 5 state championships in a row, which had never been done. He also coached at Round Rock Stony Point in 2009 and the team went to the State Semifinals. Throughout his career, Coach Thrash has demonstrated a relentless commitment to excellence, player development, and team culture.

Thrash’s coaching résumé includes four State Championships, three Conference Championships, and twelve District Championships. His influence extends beyond the scoreboard, as he has coached 75 athletes who advanced to play college football—five of whom continued on to professional careers in the NFL. A proud alumnus of Tarleton State University, Thrash earned his B.A.Sc. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2004, followed by a Master of Education in Educational Administration in 2008. He also pursued Superintendent coursework at the University of Texas at Tyler and completed a Superintendent Internship at Lake Travis High School, further underscoring his deep commitment to leadership in education.

Recognized as one of 60 finalists for the prestigious Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Ballogy “Game-Changing Coach Award” for the 2025–2026 season, Thrash is admired by both colleagues and former players for his integrity, vision, and mentorship. His players often speak of him as a guiding influence in their formative years, both on and off the field. As Coach Thrash continues to shape young lives through athletics, he remains equally committed to nurturing his own family, embracing his role as a devoted husband and father. With decades of experience and a heart for servant leadership, Judd Thrash looks forward to many more seasons of building champions in life and on the gridiron.