The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations against a former wrestling coach at The Woodlands High School after a Texas attorney general’s opinion clarified which agencies can handle child abuse investigations under state law.
Conroe ISD’s police department and superintendent requested an independent investigation Sept. 23, according to a sheriff’s office statement released Oct. 7 and reproduced by Hello Woodlands. The sheriff’s office said it received the investigative file Sept. 23 and its Major Crimes Unit is reviewing the evidence.
The allegations involve former coach Durning, who is no longer employed by Conroe ISD. The district said it learned of the allegations April 27, removed him from campus that day, placed him on administrative leave and reported the matter to Child Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency’s State Board for Educator Certification.
Durning worked for the district from August 2025 through May 6, 2026, district officials told the Houston Chronicle. His attorney, Douglas W. Atkinson, previously told the newspaper that Durning maintains his innocence.
District describes initial investigation
In an Oct. 6 statement published by Woodlands Online, Conroe ISD said district police investigated the allegations and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case. The district said the investigation found “no chargeable offense.”
Conroe ISD said it submitted the entire case file to the district attorney’s office the day after the attorney general’s opinion. The district said the case was subsequently assigned to a sheriff’s detective and remains under investigation.
Attorney general clarifies investigative authority
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Sept. 16 opinion, KP-0528, concluded that school district police departments do not qualify as the appropriate law enforcement agency for referrals and investigations under Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code.
Senate Bill 571, enacted in 2025, defined those agencies as the Texas Department of Public Safety, municipal police departments, county sheriff’s offices and county constable’s offices.
The opinion also said school district police retain duties to report suspected abuse or neglect, cooperate with investigations and assist an appropriate law enforcement agency.
Investigation preceded press conference
State Rep. Steve Toth, Conroe ISD Board President Misty Odenweller, Trustee Nicole May and families appeared at an Oct. 6 press conference supporting the sheriff’s office’s involvement. Two 17-year-old wrestling team members described their experiences with Durning, the Chronicle reported.
The sheriff’s office said investigators had received the file nearly two weeks before the event and were already working on the case.
Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said the Major Crimes Unit would thoroughly evaluate the allegations. The office said it could not release further details about evidence, interviews or suspects while the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Division at 936-538-5900 and reference case No. 26A327737.
