Coach Ryan Baker

Coach Baker is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he studied history and government. 

For the last five years, he has been teaching and spreading the love of competitive debate in underserved communities working with the Houston Urban Debate League. 

Now he is excited to work with the amazing team at Grand Oaks High School and help new and seasoned debaters alike on their path to success this school year. 

Coach Chris McCrea

Mr. Chris McCrea joins the GOHS Speech and Debate organization as a new first-year teacher, but also as a seasoned (and retired! 🙂)  corporate leader with over 25 years in various corporate leadership roles in the Gas and Chemical business.  

Although this will be Mr. McCrea's first time in a competitive debate environment, his expertise in real world communications, national and international negotiations, combined with his experience as an US Army officer, provides some real-world context to the events and activities of the team.  

Mr. McCrea is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he received a BS Degree in Economics in addition to an MBA in Finance from the University of Dayton.  Mr. McCrea is married to Michelle, his wife of 30 years (who is also a school teacher -and his teaching mentor) and he has two girls, ages 25 and 23; both of whom live and work here in Houston.