Carroll ISD's athletic programs claimed a record 10th UIL Lone Star Cup and the inaugural THSADA Texas Cup this spring. Behind those trophies is a training infrastructure that didn't exist three years ago.

Doug Castleberry, the district's first-ever strength and conditioning coach, has overseen year-round physical preparation for all 12 Dragon athletic programs since his hire on June 7, 2023.

His work covers athletes from seventh grade at Dawson and Carroll middle schools through varsity competitors in football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, swimming, water polo, and wrestling.

The Dragon Touchdown Club fully funded the position through a two-year commitment that raised $190,000, according to Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting in October 2025. Carroll Athletics called it a "monumental hire" in its June 2023 announcement.

Castleberry brought 18 years of coaching experience to the role when hired in 2023, including seven years as strength and conditioning coordinator at Northwest High School in the Fort Worth area.

He holds a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science from Texas State University and a master's in education administration from Lamar University.

His philosophy starts simple: master the basics before adding weight.

"If we can't body weight squat with great technique, I am not going to intensify that load with any weight," Castleberry told Southlake City Lifestyle Magazine in a profile published Monday, July 27. "With 12 programs and only one me, our coaches are a pivotal part in making sure the standard is upheld."

The role frees head coaches from programming physical training so they can focus on skill development. Castleberry manages the year-round curriculum: pre-activation preparation, movement progressions, loading based on athlete readiness, nutrition guidance, and recovery protocols. Each sport gets a tailored plan built around its specific physical demands.

Carroll's 132-point Lone Star Cup total in 2025-26 set a Class 6A record, 20 points clear of second-place Flower Mound, according to Carroll ISD.

State championships in volleyball (the program's first UIL state title) and boys cross country (a seventh consecutive state title) anchored the haul, with top-three finishes in girls golf, boys wrestling, and boys swim and dive.

The district also earned the inaugural Class 6A Texas Cup from the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. Director of Athletics Jenny Suitor said in a June 10 district announcement that the honor "reflects the extraordinary commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, support staff, and families."

Castleberry's summer conditioning courses at Carroll Senior High's indoor facility on Southlake Boulevard are running through Wednesday, August 5, with separate tracks for football, Olympic sports, and developmental programs for grades 5-8.

The Dragons football team, ranked No. 8 in Class 6A by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, opens the 2026 season Thursday, August 27, against Jenks, Oklahoma, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.