Tony Benedetto, Head Coach/Athletic Director

Coach Tony Benedetto is entering his 15th year of coaching and serves as the Athletic Coordinator/Head Coach of the Plano East Panthers. This is his 6th season as a head coach, 3rd at Plano East. Led Plano East to the playoffs in 2023.  First time since 2018 for the Panthers. He grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and attended Crystal Lake High School, where he played Football (1st Team All-Conference), Basketball, and ran Track (State Qualifier 400m Dash). He went on to attend the University of Sioux Falls to play football. He was a 2-time NAIA National Champion, 2-time Academic All-American, and Team Captain. Coach Benedetto majored in Biology and Secondary Education and has a master's in educational leadership. He enjoys watching the Chicago Sports Teams. His favorite sports teams are the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Bears. Coach Benedetto is married to his wife, Lindsay. They are the proud parents of London (8), Ruby (7), Ezekiel (6), and Remi (6).
Fun Fact: Coach Benedetto can grow a full unibrow.

Kevin Mikeska, Assistant Head Coach / Quarterbacks Coach

Coach Kevin Mikeska is entering his 14th year of coaching, serving as the associate head coach/quarterbacks coach and business teacher at Plano East Senior High. He grew up in Garland, Texas, and went to Garland High School. Coach Mikeska was a two-sport athlete who played Football (1st Team All-District, Offensive MVP, 3-Year Starter) and Baseball (1st Team All-District, 4-Year Starter). He attended Ottawa University, majoring in Rec & Sports Management, where he played football and was a 4-time Conference utility player of the year. He went on to play professional football for the Arlanda Jets in Sweden. In his free time, he enjoys sports with his son, hanging out with family and friends, and playing

Patrick Handy, Running Backs / Special Teams Coordinator 

Coach Patrick Handy is entering his 11th year of coaching, 10th at Plano East, and serves as the special team coordinator/running back coach. He teaches Physical Education and coaches Track. He has taught Special Education for most of his time. Coach Handy graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology Secondary Education in 2017. Coach Handy is married to his wife, Danielle. They are the proud parents of Patrick Handy Jr. (3).

Daniel Solis, Tight Ends Coach

Coach Daniel Solis is entering his 11th year of coaching and serves as the tight ends coach and teaches Physical Education at Plano East High School. Coach Solis grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Nolan Catholic High School, where he played football (2-time state champion, 2004 & 2005). Coach Solis attended Northwestern College to play football as an Offensive Lineman (2-time All-Conference), majoring in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his family by going on vacations, swimming, fishing, and barbequing. His favorite sports teams are the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars. Coach Solis is married to his wife, Sara. They are the proud parents of Kamryn (9) and Karsyn (6).
Fun Fact: Coach Solis was the first in his family to go to college and the first to graduate.

Jamie Smith, Wide Receivers Coach

Coach Jamie Smith is entering his fifth year of coaching and serves as the wide receivers’ coach. He teaches Special Education (Inclusion) at Williams High School. Coach Smith grew up in Camden, AR, and played football at Camden Fairview High School. He was a three-sport athlete who played Football (5A State Champion, All-State/All-Conference and Rushing Record Leader), Basketball, and Track & Field (All-State/All-Conference). He attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to play Football. He has a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and a master’s degree in Kinesiology.  In his free time, he enjoys traveling the world, cooking, reading, spending time with family, working out, and playing video games. His favorite sports teams are the UCF Knights and the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Smith lives with his girlfriend, Lauren, and their dog Future (2). Fun Fact: Coach Smith is fascinated by pilots.  

Ryan Henderson, Wide Receivers Coach

Coach Henderson is entering his 21st year of coaching football and his 18th on the Eastside, with stints at Bowman MS and McMillen HS. He will serve as the assistant receivers' coach. He grew up in Livonia, MI - a suburb of Detroit and was a 3-sport athlete at Livonia Churchill in football, basketball, and baseball. He joined the US Navy and served in an F-14 Fighter Squadron for 3 years. After he served, he earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health from Eastern Michigan University. He is married to his wife, Rene, and they have 3 children - Gavin (13), Reese (11), and Brody (4). He is a devoted Detroit sports fan. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his family and friends, work out, play golf, play cornhole, watch sports, and do skilled DIY projects for his wife.

Dre Cortez, Cornerbacks Coach

Coach Dre Cortez is entering his 2nd year of coaching high school, with 4 years of experience coaching collegiate football, previous stop at McMurry University. He will be serving as the cornerback coach and teaching health at Williams High School. Coach Cortez grew up in Dallas, Texas, and attended H Grady Spruce High School, where he played football and ran track. He attended Fort Lewis College to play football, majoring in Sports Management. In his free time, he likes to play chess. His favorite sports team is the Dallas Cowboys.  

Chase Inman, Inside Linebackers Coach

Coach Chase Inman is entering his 9th year of coaching and serves as the inside linebackers coach. He teaches Special Education at Plano East Senior High and serves as the Linebackers Coach. Coach Inman grew up in Dallas, Texas, and attended Lake Highlands High School. He played football, where he was 2x All-District and Team Defensive MVP. He attended Samford University to play football, majoring in Sports Administration/Kinesiology. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, coffee dates, reading, exercising, and gardening. His favorite sports teams are the Dallas professional team, Samford, and the University of Texas. Coach Inman is married to his wife, Amanda. Fun Fact: Coach Inman is one of 36 first cousins on his mom's side alone.

Earl Horton, Outside Linebacker Coach 

Andre Williams, Defensive Coordinator, Safeties Coach 

Coach Andre Williams is entering his 18th year of coaching and second year as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator. He grew up in Kilgore, Texas, and went to Sabine High School. Coach Williams was a three-sport athlete who played Football (All-State), Basketball (All-State), and Track (Regional Qualifier). He attended Stephen F. Austin to play football, majoring in Business Management. In his free time, he likes attending sporting events, and his favorite sports teams are the Denver Broncos, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers.

Kendall Robinson, Outside Linebackers Coach

Coach Robinson is entering his 11th year of coaching and will serve as the outside linebacker coach and teach Physical Education at Williams High School. He grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and out of high school attended Grambling State University on a football scholarship, majoring in drafting architecture design. After playing four years at Grambling State, coach Robinson gained his master’s degree in Sports Administration. He moved back to Birmingham to start his coaching career for 5 years. He transitioned to Plano East in 2019 and has been on the east side ever since. He is married to his wife, Chelsea, and they have 3 children - Raniya (16), Kyndall (5), and Channon (2). In his spare time, he enjoys church at One
Community Church, working out, playing video games, and family time.

Roy Woods, Asst. Defensive Skill Coach 

Coach Roy Woods is entering his 8th year of coaching at Plano East Senior High and serves as the defensive assistant. He teaches Physical Education – Fitness. Coach Woods grew up in Plano, Texas, and attended Plano East Senior High, where he played football (All-District and All-Area) as a Cornerback. He attended Amberton University, majoring in Business Management. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting and traveling. His favorite sports team is the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Woods is married to Taronda. They are the proud parents of Cameron (23). Fun Fact: Coach Woods played on the first Plano East Football team to beat Plano Senior High.