After a little more than two years on the job, Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief David Coatney appears to be headed for the exit.
Coatney on Tuesday was named the sole finalist to become director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, also known as TEEX. State law requires the university and Coatney — who officials say energized the Dallas department and made major strides in promoting safety measures — wait 21 days before making the deal official.
Coatney said the position, for which he was recruited to apply, was too good to pass up — even though "the timing of this was horrible." He bought a house last year in Dallas, thinking he'd be in North Texas for a while.
"I really planned to stay here five to seven years," Coatney said. "But my leadership team, they're in a position where any of them could take the helm right now."