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When Conner Roten accepted a teaching and coaching position at Cedar Hill High School, he knew that his late uncle, Randy, had taught and coached in the community more than a half-century ago.

But Roten had no idea of his uncle’s impact in Cedar Hill.

Randy Roten, who was Cedar Hill’s head football coach from 1963-1969, coached CHHS to its first-ever district football championship in 1964. He went on to become provost of Northwood University in Cedar Hill. Randy Roten passed away at age 86 in June 2025.

Randy Roten was posthumously honored last April as an inductee of the Longhorn Legacy Athletic Hall of Honor, both as an individual and as part of the 1964 team.

“It’s pretty cool to continue his legacy,” Roten said. “My brother told me that Uncle Randy would be honored to know I’m coaching in Cedar Hill.”

Roten joined the CHHS staff as a world history and psychology teacher and assistant coach for both football and boys soccer. He arrived at Cedar Hill after three seasons at Class 3A Whitney High School, near Hillsboro.

“My favorite part of history to teach is World War II, specifically the Pacific Theater,” Roten said. “Coach Ward is such a good guy, and I’m glad to be on the staff. Soccer will be great, but all of my focus is on football right now.”

Roten grew up in the East Texas town of Mount Vernon. He followed in the footsteps of “Dandy” Don Meredith as the Mount Vernon quarterback and also served as placekicker for the Tigers.

He went on to kick for Tyler Junior College but focused solely on securing his bachelor’s degree at Stephen F. Austin State University in history and kinesiology.

After that, Roten spent time working in the oil fields between Fort Worth and Midland as a roustabout. He said it paid well, but something was missing.

Coaching runs in the family. His father, William, coached football at Italy and Mount Vernon. His brother, Charlie, is the head coach at Whitewright, in northeast Texas. Another brother, Chase, is a golf pro.

Roten first coached in Cushing, outside Nacogdoches, before making his way to the southern outskirts of Houston. He coached football and for the first time, soccer, at LaPorte.

“Soccer is like a big game of basketball on a field,” Roten said.

Roten will assist CHHS head boys soccer David Sullivan this season.

Although Roten has spent time working all over Texas, there’s no doubt of his favorite part.

“I’m an east Texas guy through and through,” Roten said. “I told my wife I want to be buried under a pine tree.”