An outside investigation began after questions arose over which law enforcement agency had authority to examine the allegations.
CONROE, TX — The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations involving former Conroe ISD wrestling coach William “Billy” Durning after students and families accused him of inappropriate conduct and the sexual grooming of female athletes.
The investigation marks a new phase in a case that began in April, when allegations involving Durning were reported to Conroe Independent School District officials. The district removed him from campus and placed him on administrative leave April 27. Conroe ISD said it also reported the allegations to Child Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency’s State Board for Educator Certification. Durning later left the district. No criminal charges had been announced as of Friday, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
Conroe ISD police initially investigated the allegations with review from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The district said that investigation found no chargeable offense. The case was later transferred for an independent review after a Texas attorney general opinion clarified that school district police departments do not have primary authority to conduct certain child abuse investigations under Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said it first learned of the allegations in April. At that time, Conroe ISD police told the sheriff’s office that district investigators would handle the case in collaboration with the district attorney’s office and that assistance from sheriff’s deputies was not needed. On Sept. 23, Conroe ISD police and the district superintendent asked the sheriff’s office to conduct an independent investigation.
The sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit accepted the case and began reviewing existing evidence, files and other documentation, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials said investigative work was already underway before an Oct. 6 news conference at which state Rep. Steve Toth joined families in calling for an independent criminal investigation. Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said investigators would examine the allegations objectively and take any action warranted under Texas law.
The jurisdictional change followed a Sept. 16 opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton addressing Senate Bill 571 and child abuse investigations. The opinion said a school district police department does not qualify as an appropriate law enforcement agency for reports or investigations covered by the relevant section of state law. District police may still assist and cooperate with the outside agency conducting the investigation.
Conroe ISD said it turned over its case materials after that clarification and continues to cooperate with the sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office. The district said protecting students remains its top priority. District officials said Durning worked for Conroe ISD from August 2025 until May 2026 and was removed from campus the same day officials learned of the allegations.
At the Oct. 6 news conference, two 17-year-old members of The Woodlands High School wrestling team described interactions they considered inappropriate. One student said Durning sometimes sent late-night messages, made inappropriate comments and asked her to keep some conversations between them. Another student said she believed at first that the coach did not understand appropriate boundaries but became concerned about comments involving her body and unusual messages. Their accounts remain allegations being reviewed by investigators.
Parents of the students said additional concerns surfaced after the first allegations were reported. Toth said multiple women had come forward with accusations involving Durning’s conduct during his years working with young athletes. Some claims described conduct allegedly extending over several years and across different coaching settings. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the number of potential victims or released findings supporting the broader allegations.
Durning has denied wrongdoing through his attorney. Attorney Douglas W. Atkinson previously told the Houston Chronicle that Durning maintains his innocence and looks forward to defending himself through the appropriate legal process. Investigators have not publicly identified Durning as charged with a crime, and the sheriff’s office has said it cannot release details about evidence, interviews or potential suspects while the investigation remains active.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said its Major Crimes Unit continues to review the case. As of Oct. 9, authorities had announced no criminal charges and had not released a timetable for completing the investigation.
Author note: Last updated October 9, 2026.