By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News

After taking the Cedar Park Timberwolves to the state championship game two of the last three seasons, head football coach Joe Willis is leaving to accept a position in the suburban Dallas area’s Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.

Joe Willis coaching the Timberwolves football team.

The move was announced by CPHS principal John Sloan via email Thursday afternoon and also confirmed by Leander ISD spokesperson Veronica Sopher.

“(Willis’) dedication and the commitment to excellence have been evident in the success of all athletic programs at Cedar Park High School,” Sloan said in an email to parents and teachers. “We are grateful for all that Coach Willis contributed to Cedar Park High School and LISD and wish the best to the Willis family in their future endeavors.”

Willis spent five years as defensive coordinator at Cedar Park under then-coach Chris Ross. When Ross was elevated to Leander ISD’s director of athletics in 2012, Willis stepped into the head coaching job. The Timberwolves won the Class 4A state championship in Willis’ first season.

A third-round exit in 2013 was followed by a second title game appearance in 2014, where Cedar Park lost to Ennis, 38-35, in the Class 5A championship game on Dec. 19.

Willis leaves Cedar Park with a record of 37-8 as head coach, and will take over at Colleyville Heritage High School. The Heritage Panthers went 5-6 last season, but were bounced from the playoffs in the first round in each of the last three seasons.

Cedar Park’s spring football game is scheduled for Friday, May 29, at the school’s on-campus field.