Howard Payne University Men's Football

A veteran head coach and coordinator from East Texas, John Eastman came to Howard Payne in the spring of 2025 after serving as the offensive line coach at West Rusk High School in New London, Texas. In over 31 years of coaching at the high school level, Coach Eastman has had teams in the State Finalist in 2004, the State Quarterfinals in 2000 and 2010, the State Regionals in 2001 and 2003, and the Area Finals in 2006, 2019, and 2021. The teams he has helped lead have made the playoffs in 20 out of 31 years of coaching. His experience as a head coach, defensive coordinator, and recruiting connections in East Texas have been valuable for the Howard Payne football program. Coach Eastman served as a THSCA UIL Advisory Board member from 2016-2019 and was named the East Texas Athletic Director of the Year in 2021. Coach Eastman’s Coaching History West Rusk – New London, Texas (2024) - Offensive Line Coach Carlisle ISD – Carlisle, Texas (2023) - Offensive Line Coach Troup ISD – Troup, Texas (2016-2022) - Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Troup ISD – Troup, Texas (2012-2016) - Defensive Coordinator West Rusk – New London, Texas (2010-2012) - Assistant Coach Troup ISD – Troup, Texas (2005-2010) - Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Troup ISD – Troup, Texas (2003-2005) - Defensive Coordinator Gladewater ISD – Gladewater, Texas (1994-2003) - Assistant Coach Big Sandy ISD – Big Sandy, Texas (1992-1994) - Assistant Coach Coach Eastman holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. John is married to Melissa for over 33 years and they have three adult children; Callen, Samantha, and Jaycee.  

Joining the HPU staff at the end of 2023, Reed Collins previously served as the tight ends and running backs coach at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. Collins helped lead the War Hawks to their first winning season in over ten years. After his playing career was over, Reed served as a graduate assistant at Howard Payne, Collins gained experience in practice and game position coaching, scouting, recruiting, strength and conditioning, and video coordinating at HPU and McMurry. As a player at HPU, Collins was a 5-year letterman being named to the ASC Sportsman Team of the Year and was HPU’s Paul J. Cunningham award winner in 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (2020) and a Masters of Business Administration (2021) degrees from Howard Payne.  

Adam Fujiwara came to Howard Payne in the spring of 2025 after spending the 2024 season at D-I Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas where he served as a special teams assistant. At Lamar, Coach Fujiwara also assisted with the development of kickers, punters, and long snappers for the Cardinals. Before Lamar, Coach Fujiwara spent three seasons (2021-2023) at Northwood High School in Irvine, CA where he was a receivers and running backs coach. During his time at Northwood, the team was the CIF 4-AA Regional Champions, CIF-SS Div. 8 Champions, and the CIF-SS Div. II Champions. Fujiwara played college football at Chapman University in Orange, CA where he was a D3football.com All-Region long snapper while also playing corner. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Chapman University and is nearing completion of a Master of Science in Sports Nutrition from Lamar University.  

James Douglas III came to Howard Payne from D-I Lamar University in the spring of 2025 after serving as a Cardinals’ assistant wide receivers coach for two seasons (2023-2024). At Lamar, Coach Douglas helped build the Lamar offense into one of the best in the conference while developing two 500+ receivers in one season and an all-conference receiver as well.  Before Lamar, Coach Douglas spent two seasons at Briar Cliff University as a receivers’ coach producing two of the top ten receivers in school history as well as three all conference receivers. As a player, Douglas was recognized multiple times as an All-Conference receiver and return specialist. He was the NACC Offensive Player of the Year and a D-III All-Region honoree at Eureka College in 2019 and 2020. In 2024, he was a member of the 2018 football team that was inducted into the Eureka College Hall of Fame. James holds master's degrees from Lamar University (2024) and Briar Cliff University (2022), and bachelor's degrees from Eureka College (2020).