The Coach 5-0 program is a collaborative effort between the Arlington Police Department and the Arlington ISD Athletic Department. Officers serve as mentors for high school student athletes. The goal is to help inspire success on the field and in life.

How it Started

The inspiration for Coach 5-0 came from the tragic death of a high school athlete. In January 2015, Carl Wilson worked out for athletic coaches at a college he was planning to attend. He was moving closer to his dream of becoming a professional football player and was determined to rise above his challenges and chart a better life for himself and infant son.

On Jan. 12, 2015, dreams were shattered when he was shot and killed during an altercation with a gang member.

Following his death, Arlington PD leaders saw an opportunity. They approached officers about setting aside time to mentor student athletes.

The first Coach 5-0 session started in September 2015 at a football game at Martin High School and has expanded to include other sporting activities at Arlington area high schools. 

Officers as Mentors

On the sidelines and in locker rooms, APD officers are available to help teens cope with the pressures associated with being a student athlete. Working with coaches, officers help to reinforce the messages of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork. They encourage students to use their gifts and talents and help them discover interests and attain goals.

Relationships are built on trust gained through frequent interaction and working together to solve problems when they occur. The supportive relationships formed between officers and student athletes are immediate and long-term.