HUTTO – Hutto High School has announced two additions to its varsity football coaching staff as Chris Cruz and Chase Weaver join first-year head coach Casey Walraven’s staff ahead of the 2026 season.
Cruz will serve as the Hippos’ defensive coordinator after previously working under Walraven at Alvarado High School. Weaver arrives from Axtell High School, where he spent the past two seasons coaching football. He will serve as Hutto’s offensive line coach while also taking over as the school’s head wrestling coach.
At Alvarado, Cruz helped build a defense nicknamed “The Gauntlet,” which recorded four shutouts during the 2025 season. The Indians advanced to the regional finals of the Class 4A Division I playoffs, and Cruz now takes over a Hutto defense that allowed 32.5 points per game last season.
Weaver inherits an offensive line that was one of the strengths of Hutto’s team in 2025. The Hippos averaged 6.3 yards per rushing attempt behind a physical front that helped power one of the area’s top offenses. In addition to coaching the offensive line, Weaver replaces David Salyer as Hutto’s head wrestling coach following Salyer’s retirement after one season with the program.
Both coaches join Walraven’s first staff at Hutto after he was hired earlier this year to replace Eli Reinhart. Walraven takes over a program coming off a 10-3 season that included a share of the district championship and a trip to the third round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs.
The Hippos will open the 2026 season at home against Harker Heights on Aug. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
