Tarleton State University Men's Football

Todd Whitten is the all-time winningest head coach in Tarleton State football history, now entering his 16th season as the leader of the Texans in 2025. This marks his 21st season as an NCAA head coach (other five seasons were at Sam Houston) and his 38th season of coaching football at any level.   The Texans just posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. It was the longest regular season in program history both in number of games played and number of days on the calendar, with Tarleton State opening on Week 0 (a 26-23 win over McNeese on ESPN2) on Aug. 23, and finishing with a 42-31 loss at South Dakota on Dec. 7. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. The Texans finished second in the UAC. Across the board, Tarleton was ranked No. 22 in total offense and they forced the tied-third most turnovers. Tarleton had both the leading receiver (Darius Cooper at 1,450 yards) and the leading rusher (Kayvon Britten at 1,982) across all of the FCS.   Whitten led Tarleton State through their reclassification period to NCAA Division I after ending Tarleton’s Division II era with back-to-back undefeated regular season Lone Star Conference Championships. In the D1 era across five seasons, Whitten has guided the Texans to winning seasons each year, going 10-4 in 2024, 8-3 in 2023, 6-5 in 2022, 6-5 in 2021 and 5-3 in 2020. Tarleton State has posted eight straight regular seasons with winning records, and 14 of the last 15 seasons under Whitten the team has finished .500 or better. He boasts an NCAA coaching record of 139-85 (.621), including a record at Tarleton of 114-57 (.667), which gives him the most total wins in school history. He owns a 66-23 (.742) home record, taking the Texans to a 21-9 (.700) mark at Memorial Stadium at the D1 level. Tarleton’s reclassification period was special nationwide, as the Texans posted the third highest winning percentage in a reclassification period since 2004 at .610 (25-16). Among all Texas D1 and D2 programs since 2018, the Texans own the best winning percentage in the state at .725 (58-22).   In 2023, the Texans went 8-3 overall, 4-2 in conference play. The Texans finished tied-second in the United Athletic Conference, despite being picked to finish sixth in the 2023 Preseason UAC Coaches Poll, and would have likely received an FCS playoff at-large bid, if eligible. Whitten’s success helped earn him UAC Coach of the Year honors and become one of 20 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, which recognizes the national coach of the year in Division I FCS. A major milestone in Whitten’s career came on Sept. 30 when the Texans defeated Southeastern Louisiana for his 100th win as Tarleton State’s head coach. This made him the 12th coach among current D1 schools in Texas to reach 100 wins with one program. Four weeks later, Whitten led the Texans to a major team accomplishment. Their win over Central Arkansas made them only the third football program since 2004 to post a winning season in each year of their four-year reclassification, joining North Dakota State and South Dakota State. After starting the season 4-3, the Texans finished strong on a four-game winning streak. The two road wins came by a combined margin of three points, while the two at home were each won by 42 points. Perhaps the most entertaining of the bunch was the season finale against Abilene Christian, where Whitten helped engineer a 16-point fourth quarter comeback. This was the team’s largest comeback win in the Division I era, which put a bow on their four years being non-postseason eligible. Tarleton had it going across all three phases in 2023, ranked first in the conference in yards per play (6.4, 11th most nationally), first in rush yards per game (201.7, 12th nationally), first in rush touchdowns (25, 16th nationally), second in points per game (33.3, 13th nationally), second in yards per game (430.5, 14th nationally) and second in yards per rush (5.2, 17th nationally). Defensively, the Texans had the most defensive touchdowns in the conference (four, tied-fourth nationally), were first in fumbles recovered (11, tied-ninth nationally), first in yards per play (4.8, 17th nationally), first in sacks (26, tied-28th nationally), tied-third in takeaways (18, tied-36th nationally), tied-third in tackles for loss (65, tied-39th nationally), and fourth in scoring defense (24.5 points per game, tied-46th nationally). On special teams, Tarleton was first in kickoff return (24.3 yards per return, eighth nationally) and second in punt return (18.2 yards per return, fourth nationally).   In 2022, the Texans averaged their most yards per game at the D1 level at 436.8, the best mark in the Western Athletic Conference. They scored 40+ points four times in 11 games, topping at 49 in the season finale in Tarleton’s 42-point victory against Houston Christian in Stephenville. In that game, Tarleton’s lead running back Derrel Kelley III raced for 239 yards and two touchdowns, reaching the 1,000-yard milestone on the ground at the same time the Texans lead receiver Darius Cooper hit 1,000 yards as well. The Texans averaged the best rushing attack in the WAC at 174.6 yards per game and threw for the second most total passing yards at 2,883.   Whitten guided Tarleton’s first NCAA Division I campaign in the unprecedented spring football season of 2021. The Texans went 5-3 in their first season at the FCS level and earned their first win over a Division I program against FBS Independent New Mexico State on Feb. 21. Tarleton’s first Division I football team ran for 178.9 yards, threw for 231.9 yards and scored 31.9 points per game. Tarleton’s win against Northeastern State (OK) on March 27 was a milestone moment for Whitten and the program. Whitten became Tarleton’s all-time leader in games coached and secured the program’s 500th all-time victory.   Whitten ended Tarleton’s Division II era with back-to-back undefeated regular season Lone Star Conference Championships. In 2019, Whitten guided the Texans to their second consecutive undefeated regular season and Lone Star Conference Championship to earn his fifth LSC Coach of the Year award. On Sept. 29, Tarleton blasted UT Permian Basin in Odessa 49-7 to deliver Whitten’s 72nd career coaching win to break W.J. Wisdom’s school record of 71 that had stood tall since 1935. Tarleton boasted the fourth-best scoring offense in the country (45.0 PPG) and had 10 different players named to five different All-America teams, including WR Zimari Manning who made a clean sweep with five, first-team All-America honors. Whitten’s Texans set a new program standard by moving up to the No. 3 ranking in the country by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The Texans finished the season ranked No. 9 in the country.   In just his third season back with the Texans (2018), Whitten led the biggest turnaround in the country and guided the Texans to their best season in program history. The Texans posted the first of two straight undefeated regular seasons en route to the first outright Lone Star Conference title in program history. Tarleton had regular season road wins at No. 7 Texas A&M-Commerce – the defending National Champions – and No. 10 Midwestern State to claim the conference title. The Texans outscored opponents 45-16 per game and the Texans set numerous program records for total points (585), rushing yards (4,301) and total yards (6,709) to have a top-five offense in the country. Tarleton earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Division II football playoffs – the highest seed in program history. The Texans hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA playoffs, coming away with victories over No. 24 Azusa Pacific (58-0) and a rematch with No. 15 Texas A&M-Commerce (34-28). It was the first time in school history the Texans won 12 games in a season and advanced to the NCAA regional finals. Tarleton ended the season with the highest ranking in program history, finishing ranked No. 5 in the AFCA poll. Tarleton boasted a school-record 24 all-conference players that season, including six All-Americans.   In just his final two seasons in NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference, Whitten’s Texans were not without their fair share of league, region and national accolades. Tarleton had 45 all-LSC selections in those two seasons, including the 2019 LSC Offensive Player of the Year (QB Ben Holmes), 2019 LSC Receiver of the Year (WR Zimari Manning), 2019 LSC Defensive Player of the Year (DE B.J. Jefferson), 2019 LSC Defensive Lineman of the Year (DT Jordan Wells), 2018 LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year (OT Deon Sheppard) and back-to-back LSC Offensive Backs of the Year (RBs Xavier Turner and Daniel McCants) and LSC Defensive Backs of the Year (CBs Devin Hafford and Prince Robinson). Tarleton had 16 All-Americans in those two seasons, all of which earned regional acclaim in addition to the national. In 2019, Zimari Manning had the highest finish by a WR in the Harlon Hill voting since 1991 by finishing third in the race for the best player in NCAA Division II.   Whitten made his return to the Tarleton on Dec. 3, 2015, and was tasked with turning around the program. This marked the 28th head coaching change in the history of Tarleton football, as Whitten became one of 24 different men to lead the Texans. He joined legendary coach W.J. Wisdom as one of two coaches with three different tenures as Tarleton’s head football coach.   “I’m coming home,” said Whitten at the time of his hiring. “I’m very excited to be back at Tarleton. This is a very special place and it’s an incredible job. I’m very thankful to be chosen.”   He made an immediate impact in his return by resurrecting a 3-7 season from the year before and led Tarleton into the final two games of the season with a chance to win the Lone Star Conference championship in his first season back. He followed up in 2017 by leading Tarleton to its first winning regular season since 2013 and the fifth bowl game invitation in program history.   During his first two stints at Tarleton, Whitten was no stranger to awards and championships.   Before taking over the program in 1996 for one season, Tarleton had a record of 4-16-1 since joining the NCAA in 1994. Whitten turned things around following a 1-10 season in 1995 by leading the Texans to a 5-5 record in his first season, which was enough to garner him the LSC Coach of the Year award for that season.   After a three-year hiatus as the offense coordinator for Wyoming and Sam Houston State, Whitten made his return to Stephenville to build Tarleton into a national powerhouse. Whitten came back in 2000 and turned Tarleton around once again with a 6-5 record to open the new century.   In the second season of his return stint, Whitten’s Texans entered uncharted territory with a 10-3 mark to claim the school’s first Lone Star Conference championship and division championship en route to their first trip to the NCAA playoffs. He would go on to boast a record of 17-6 over the next two seasons, each of which garnered his third and fourth LSC Coach of the Year awards, and Tarleton returned to the NCAA playoffs in 2003.   Before becoming a coach, Whitten was a star athlete at Dallas Kimball High School and Stephen F. Austin University – where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2001. He was a three-year starter at quarterback and a three-year starter in the outfield during baseball season. He was drafted in the 17th round of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft by Philadelphia out of Kimball High School, but declined to make his way to Stephen F. Austin. After his dual-sport career with the Lumberjacks, Whitten signed a free agent contract to play quarterback for the New England Patriots in 1987.   After playing for the Patriots in 1987, Whitten traded the helmet for the headset as he went back to school as a graduate assistant coach at Texas Tech to begin his coaching career. He earned his first full-time coaching job at New Mexico State in 1990, where he spent four seasons before heading to El Paso, where he spent two seasons at UTEP.   Whitten left UTEP for his first head coaching position at Tarleton in 1996 before leaving for Wyoming the following year.   After his second stint at Tarleton from 2000-04, Whitten returned to Sam Houston for his first Division I head coaching opportunity. He spent five seasons with the Bearkats. From there, he spent two seasons at Lamar, one year at Arlington Heights High School, and the last three years at UTEP before coming back to Tarleton in December 2015.   Whitten earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Stephen F. Austin in 1987 and a master’s degree in sports administration from Texas Tech in 1990. He resides in Stephenville with his wife, Dana. The couple has three sons – Brady, Blaze, and Tate – and a daughter, Maddie.   The Todd Whitten File Hometown Dallas, Texas High School Kimball High School ('82) College Stephen F. Austin ('87) Family Wife: Dana Children: Brady, Blaze, Tate, Maddie Coaching History Year(s) School Position 1988-89 Texas Tech Graduate Assistant 1990-93 New Mexico State QB Coach 1994-95 Texas-El Paso RB Coach 1996 Tarleton State Head Coach 1997-98 University of Wyoming Offensive Coordinator 1999 Sam Houston State Offensive Coordinator 2000-04 Tarleton State Head Coach 2005-09 Sam Houston State Head Coach 2010-11 Lamar University Offensive Coordinator 2012 Arlington Heights High School Head Coach 2013-15 Texas-El Paso WR Coach 2016-Present Tarleton State Head Coach Coach Award History Year Award 1996 LSC Coach of the Year 2001 LSC South Division Coach of the Year West Region Coach of the Year (D2Football.com) 2002 LSC North Division Coach of the Year 2003 LSC North Division Coach of the Year 2019 LSC Coach of the Year 2023 UAC Coach of the Year NCAA Head Coaching Record Year School Overall Conf Home 1996 Tarleton State 5-5 2-5 4-2 2000 Tarleton State 6-5 5-4 5-1 2001 Tarleton State (NCAA Playoffs) 10-3 8-1 4-1 2002 Tarleton State 9-2 6-2 6-0 2003 Tarleton State (NCAA Playoffs) 8-4 6-2 4-2 2004 Tarleton State 7-4 6-3 3-2 2005 Sam Houston State  3-7 2006 Sam Houston State  6-5 2007 Sam Houston State  7-4 2008 Sam Houston State  4-6 2009 Sam Houston State  5-6 2016 Tarleton State 5-6 5-4 3-3 2017 Tarleton State 6-6 4-4 3-2 2018 Tarleton State (NCAA Regional Finals) 12-1 8-0 8-0 2019 Tarleton State (NCAA Playoffs) 11-1 8-0 5-1 2020 Tarleton State (Inaugural Division I Season; COVID Spring Season) 5-3 N/A 3-3 2021 Tarleton State (First WAC Season) 6-5 2-3 5-1 2022 Tarleton State 6-5 1-3 4-2 2023 Tarleton State 8-3 4-2 4-1 2024 Tarleton State (FCS Playoffs 2nd Round) 10-4 6-2 5-2 Total Tarleton:  15 yrs 114-57 71-35 66-23 NCAA: 20 yrs 139-85

Fred Tate enters his fifth season at Tarleton State in 2026 as the defensive line coach for the Texans. The 2025 season was historic for Tarleton State Football, with Tate’s defensive line being a major contributor for the team’s success. The Texans were 14th in the nation in total sacks (35) and 22nd in FCS football in sacks per game (2.50). Tate’s defensive line was key in helping the Texans’ defense finish top 10 nationally in third down conversion percent defense (4th, .310), red zone defense (6th, .714), and scoring defense (9th, 18.6). Thanks to the defensive line, Tarleton State’s defense also led the UAC in total defense (331.4) while finishing in the top 25 nationally on that side of the ball. Tate was instrumental in helping develop defensive lineman Angelo Anderson into an All-Conference player in 2025. Anderson was second in among all FCS players in forced fumbles (5) and finished 17th in the nation in sacks per game (0.79). The senior defensive lineman was named All-UAC First Team Defense while fellow defensive lineman Brandon Tolvert earned a spot on the All-UAC Second Team Defense in 2025.  70% of Tate’s defensive line was filled with juniors and seniors, allowing the defense to only give up a combined 13 points to its first FCS opponents. Starting with a 42-0 shutout at Portland State in front of a nationally-televised audience, the defense came up with three takeaways in the second half to boost Tarleton State over Army in West Point. Army, the American Conference champions from the previous year, was Tarleton State's first road victory against an FBS program in its fourth try, and second win against an FBS program in five total matchups. The Texans collected a pair of takeaways and only allowed 13 points in the second round of the FCS Playoffs against North Dakota, allowing Tarleton State to advance to its first-ever FCS Quarterfinal. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.   The Texans posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Tate’s group helped the defense rank tied-third in the country in takeaways with 29 (first in conference), including the tied-fifth most interceptions (18) and tied-eighth most fumble recoveries (11). The Texans were second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 24.6 points per game. Tarleton State allowed fewer than 20 points in six different games, including a 42-0 shutout on Homecoming against the UAC’s Utah Tech. Defensive lineman Brandon Tolvert earned UAC All-Conference First Team.   In Tarleton State’s final year of their four-year reclassification period, Tate helped the Texans finish 8-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. They finished second in the inaugural United Athletic Conference, despite being picked to finish sixth in the 2023 Preseason UAC Coaches Poll. Tate’s unit had their way with opposing offenses. The Texans led the UAC in sacks (26, tied-28th in FCS) and tied-third in tackles for loss (65). He helped groom Jackson State and Florida State transfer Josh Griffis into his best colligate season, as he led the team with 5.0 sacks, 8.5 TFLs, 3.0 forced fumbles and 8.0 QB hurries. That production was rewarded with UAC Second Team All-Conference honors at the season’s end. Brandon Tolvert led all Texan defensive linemen in tackles (36) and was right behind Griffis in QB hurries (7) and tackles for loss (6). Ahmir Crowder was second on the team in sacks with 5.0, while recording 5.5 tackles for loss. Altogether, Tate’s unit contributed to a defense that topped the conference in yards per play allowed (4.76), defensive touchdowns (four, tied-fourth in FCS) and fumbles recovered (11, tied-ninth in FCS). The unit also tied for the third most takeaways in the UAC (18), while allowing the fourth fewest points per game (24.5).    The Texans’ allowed rushing yardage per game average dropped from 174.5 in 2021 to 149.2 in 2022, thanks in part to Tate’s tutelage on the defensive line. Tate helped mentor Segun Ijiyera to a career year where he was named a CSC All-American, finished with 8.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 34.0 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, five quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. Tate also helped Blaine Hoover make his mark on the DL as Hoover finished with 43 tackles, two sacks, 5.5 TFL and two QB hurries. Hoover went on to joining the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 preseason.   "Fred Tate has been around the block with a special mind in regards to the defensive line, and I expect great things from his group," head coach Todd Whitten said at the time of Tate’s hire.   Tate has been in the college ranks for over 25 years, most recently serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Navarro College before arriving in Stephenville.   “I’m thrilled to remain in Texas and make the move back to Division I football, especially with a program like Tarleton State,” Tate said at the time of his hiring. “I’ve admired the work Coach Whitten has done with this team from afar. Getting the chance to join his staff and become a Texan is humbling, and I can’t wait to join the Stephenville community.”   Tate has coached at 16 different collegiate football programs, mostly as a defensive line coach. Besides Tarleton State and Navarro, he’s been at Austin Peay (2018-19), UT Martin (2017), California (2014-16), Cincinnati (2013), Texas Tech (2012), Marshall (2010-11), Chattanooga (2008-09), Southern Miss (2005-06), East Carolina (2003-04), Middle Tennessee (2002), Texas State (2001), East Mississippi Community College (2000), Jacksonville State (1998-99) and East Central Community College (1997).   In Tate’s time at Cal, the defense saw improvement each year he was on campus. In 2015, the Golden Bears defense allowed 9.1 less points per game than the previous season and 15.8 points fewer than the 2013 campaign before Tate arrived. Tate coached up defensive lineman Kyle Kragen to an All-Pac-12 selection in 2015. Kragen led Cal with a career high 8.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and six quarterback hurries. The Golden Bears depth along the defensive line was a strength of the team throughout Tate’s tenure. In 2015 they played three deep at most positions along the defensive line on a regular basis. Two different Cal players had record seasons under Tate’s watch in Mustafa Jalil and Austin Clark. Jalil started all 12 games in 2014 and had a career-high 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries. Clark earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2014 as he made 10 starts and had 22 of his 23 career tackles.   At Cincinnati, Tate was a part of the Bearcat squad that went 9-4 and played in the Belk Bowl. The 2013 Cincinnati defense was one of the tops in the country, ranking in the top 10 nationally in rushing defense and total defense. Tate coached DL Jordan Stepp to First Team All-AAC honors and Silverberry Mouhon to Second Team honors. The duo combined for 15.5 sacks.   While at Texas Tech, Tate played a big part in a total defensive overhaul from 2011 to 2012 when he arrived. The Red Raiders went from ranking 114th nationally in total defense in 2011 to 38th in 2012. They went 8-5 and won the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Tate tutored Kerry Hyder to a Second Team All-Big 12 selection as he finished the season with 14.0 tackles for loss.   The two seasons Tate spent at Marshall were extremely impactful. The Thundering Herd won the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in 2011. The defense in 2011 ranked No. 1 in Conference USA and No. 5 in the nation with 7.85 tackles for loss per game. He coached Vinny Curry to First Team All-American honors and the 2011 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. Curry was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and played eight seasons in the NFL.   While at Chattanooga, Tate coached the 2009 Third Team AP All-American, SoCon player of the year and FCS leader in sacks (12.5) Josh Beard.   In two seasons with his alma mater Southern Miss, the Golden Eagles had back-to-back winning seasons and bowl appearances. They defeated Arkansas State in the New Orleans Bowl in 2005 and defeated Ohio in the GMAC Bowl in 2006.   A native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Tate served in the United States Army and was a member of the elite airborne unit stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Following his service, he played four years of college football, his last two at Southern Miss as a defensive lineman. He earned his bachelor’s degree in human performance from Southern Miss in 1997.

Tarleton State Football announced the hiring of Chris Ross as offensive coordinator on Jan. 3, 2026. He is entering his first season with the Texans in 2026.   “Chris Ross is one of the most respected coaches across the entire state of Texas, and he’s proven he can excel at our level like he powered prestigious high school programs for several years,” head coach Todd Whitten said at the time of Ross’ hiring. “We’re used to elite offenses at Tarleton State. I believe that Coach Ross will not only maintain that standard here, but continue to elevate it with his innovation. I want to welcome Coach Ross and his family to Stephenville, and I’m excited to keep building on our foundation here.”   Ross arrives in Stephenville after spending 2024-25 at Stephen F. Austin, both years as Offensive Coordinator, plus Assistant Head Coach duties in 2025. With Ross leading the offense from 2024-25, the Lumberjacks ranked No. 7 in the FCS in scoring (35.5 points per game), No. 15 in pass offense (252.3 pass yards per game), and No. 21 in total offense (411.0 yards per game).   “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of Tarleton State,” Ross said at the time of his hiring. “The vision here, the people involved, and the chance to compete at a high level make this an opportunity I’m truly grateful for. I’m looking forward to building strong relationships with our players, staff and community as we move forward together. Tarleton State’s commitment to facilities, program funding and success are what made this job so attractive. I’m ready to get to work.”   In 2025, Ross helped the Lumberjacks advance to the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals and win the Southland Conference championship. The Lumberjacks earned a first round bye as the 7-seed with a 10-2 regular season record, 8-0 in Southland Conference play, finishing 11-3 overall with a 41-34 second round win vs. 10-seed Abilene Christian, and a 44-28 quarterfinals loss at 2-seed Montana State. SFA rallied off 11 straight wins following a 0-2 start (27-0 loss at Houston and 28-20 loss at ACU), with dominant victories over the likes of Northwestern State (62-14), Houston Christian (50-3) and UTRGV (41-17), plus a ranked win against Lamar (26-15). Offensively, the ‘Jacks ranked No. 14 in scoring (35.4 points per game) and No. 35 in total offense (392.4 yards per game). They were top-10 in both first downs (tied-eighth, 302) and red zone offense (ninth at 0.911). SFA scored 30-plus points in 10 of 14 games this past season, five times scoring 40-plus points with a season-high 63 points against Sul Ross State.   In 2024, Ross led the ‘Jacks to a top-10 scoring offense in the country in his debut season, with SFA averaging 35.6 points per game (tied-eighth most in FCS). The Lumberjacks ranked No. 11 nationwide in pass offense (271.5 pass yards per game) and No. 13 in total offense (431.8 yards per game). They were also fourth best in red zone offense (0.935) and had the 20th most first downs (266). SFA improved from a 3-8 2023 mark to 7-5 in 2024, scoring 30-plus points five times, including 77 points against North American in Ross’ SFA debut.   Besides two seasons spent at SFA, Ross has spent two additional years in the collegiate ranks at Boise State (2016-17). There he was the director of program development, where he developed coaches and players, plus led recruiting. The Broncos went 21-6 overall across his tenure, 13-3 in Mountain West Conference play, with Ross on staff, winning the Mountain West championship and the Las Vegas Bowl in 2017.   Ross has nearly 30 years of Texas high school football experience, most recently serving four seasons as the head coach and athletic director at Lovejoy High School in Lucas. Ross’ Leopards were 45-9 overall with him at the helm, with three district championships and two regional final appearances. In his first season at Lovejoy in 2020, the Leopards set a school record with a 13-1 season.   The Quanah, Texas, native has also worked at Red Oak High School (2018-19, head coach and assistant AD), Prosper High School (2015, head coach and AD), Leander ISD (2012-15, AD), Cedar Park High School (2005-12, head coach), Wichita Falls High School (1998-2004, head coach from 2001-04) and Olney High School (assistant coach). Ross holds a 190-82 record as a high school head coach, leading programs to 14 playoff appearances.

When the 2026 football season begins, Tarleton State alumnus Scott Carey will begin his ninth season with Tarleton State Football as the offensive line coach, and his third as co-offensive coordinator. Head coach Todd Whitten announced on April 5, 2024, that Carey had been promoted, in charge of the run game. Offensively in 2025, the Texans were one of the best teams in the nation, ranked No. 1 in scoring (42.1 points per game), No. 8 in total offense (457.6 YPG), No. 4 in team passing efficiency (169.24), No. 16 in passing offense (263.6 YPG) and No. 18 in rushing offense (193.9 YPG). On offense, the Texans have turned the ball over just nine times, the fifth-fewest amount of turnovers lost across the FCS. In addition to helping construct one of the best offenses in the country, Carey was key in the Texans’ success on the offensive line. Offensive Lineman Hunter Smith was named to the All-UAC First Team Offense and the Stats Perform FCS All-American Second Team. Freshman offensive lineman Braden Smith was named to the All-UAC Second Team Offense in addition to being a Stats Perform Freshman All-America honoree. Aidan Moe also represented Tarleton State’s offensive line on the All-UAC Second Team.  On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also earned its highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.   The Texans just posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Offensively, Tarleton State ranked fourth in the country in pass yards per completion (14.5), fifth in red zone offense (.933), ninth in first downs (300), tied-13th in sacks allowed per game (1.14), 22nd in total offense (415.8 yards per game), 23rd in rushing offense (191.1 yards per game), 28th in scoring offense (30.7 points per game), 34th in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.71) and 42nd in passing offense (224.7 yards per game). Tarleton State had the No. 1 rusher across all of FCS (Kayvon Britten, 1,982 yards) and the No. 1 receiver across all of FCS (Darius Cooper, 1,450 yards). Britten and Cooper collected a combined nine All-American honors, including both earning Associated Press FCS All-America First Team. There were five offensive players total named UAC All-Conference, with Cooper and Britten on First Team, followed by quarterback Victor Gabalis, offensive lineman Layton Ernst and offensive lineman Tuli Teuhema on Second Team.   The offensive line has powered a run game that has been a staple with Carey at the helm, posting the best rushing offense in the conference in 2023 with 201.7 rushing yards per game (12th in the FCS) and 25 rushing touchdowns (16th in the FCS). Carey's OL played a part in the Texans' best year of total offense at the D1 level in 2022, as the Texans averaged 436.8 yards per game and 6.1 yards per play, with both marks being tops in the Western Athletic Conference. Over the past seven seasons, the Texans have had eight First Team All-Conference offensive linemen, seven on Second Team All-Conference, and five honorable mentions.   "I'm blessed to receive this honor and I'm so appreciative of everything surrounding this program and university," Carey said at the time of his promotion. "Tarleton State and Stephenville – this is home for me and my family and will always be home. There is no better place, and I can't wait to further aid this program as we continue our Division I success."   Carey was part of all four of Tarleton State's first NCAA Division I campaigns. Tarleton State’s reclassification period was special nationwide, as the Texans posted the third highest winning percentage in a reclassification period since 2004 at .610 (25-16). Among all Texas D1 and D2 programs since 2018, the Texans own the best winning percentage in the state at .725 (58-22).   Since returning to the Texan sidelines in 2018, his impact on the offensive line has been nothing short of impeccable.   In Carey’s first year at Tarleton State, he helped lead the biggest turnaround in program history. The Texans went 12-1, capturing the school’s first outright LSC title and advanced to the NCAA regional finals for the first time. Carey’s offensive linemen helped pave the way for the best rushing offense in the country as the Texans ran for 4,301 yards and 310 yards per game. All five offensive linemen were named All-LSC in 2018. Senior OT Deon Sheppard arguably had the best individual season in school history, collecting a school-record four All-America honors, D2CCA all-region, the LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year and first team All-LSC. Carey also coached Jovan Pruitt to honorable mention All-America honors and first team All-LSC. Israel Lorenzo, Wesley Hooks and Noah Perez were named honorable mention All-LSC under Carey.   Tarleton State followed up in 2019 with a second consecutive undefeated regular season and LSC Championship. Having only returned two offensive linemen from the previous season with significant playing time, Carey’s men in the trenches rose to the occasion by leading the charge to one of the most elite offenses in the country. The Texans boasted the second-best offense (531.7 YPG) and the fourth-best scoring offense in the nation (45.0 PPG) with a balanced attack of 248.0 rushing yards per game and 283.7 passing yards per game. All five starters from the offensive line were named All-LSC while three (J.P. Pierre, Noah Perez and Cody Hayes) earned All-America recognition.   In Tarleton State's final two seasons in the Lone Star Conference and NCAA Division II, Carey coached five different Tarleton State offensive linemen to All-America honors (Sheppard, Pruitt, Perez, Pierre and Hayes). Kendall Dearth and Zach Perry were the first Tarleton State offensive linemen in program history to earn Division I accolades by being named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent Team. Dearth also shined in the classroom in the spring of 2021 as a Scholar Baller First Team recipient for the National Academic Momentum Award.   Carey’s ties to Tarleton State run deep after starring on the field for the Texans as a four-year letterman on the offensive line from 1994 to 1997, including as a junior during Whitten’s first Stephenville stop in 1996.   After his playing days, Carey ventured out to Northeastern State and Colorado Mines to begin his coaching career and found early success with an LSC championship in 2000 and a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship in 2004. Carey’s 2004 team at Colorado Mines also boasted the nation’s top player as Carey’s offensive line oversaw the protection of Harlon Hill Trophy winner Chad Friehauf and the Mines offense was ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation in passing offense, No. 2 in total offense and sixth in scoring offense that season. Under Carey's tutelage, Travis Yenne was a two-time All-American (2004-05) and earned RMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2005.   His success allowed him the opportunity to return to his alma mater in 2006 when he joined Sam McElroy’s coaching staff at Tarleton State as the offensive line coach. Carey and the Texans saw immediate success as they shared the LSC South Division title in 2006 and the league title again in 2009. Also, in 2009, Carey and the Texans advanced two rounds deep in the NCAA playoffs after upsetting Texas A&M-Kingsville on the road in double overtime.   Tarleton State rushed for 143.3 yards per game and 26 touchdowns during that playoff-bound 2009 campaign. The Texans also averaged 386.2 yards of total offense per game, outscored their opponents by more than 10 points per game, and converted on 85% (40-of-47) of their red-zone opportunities that season.   In 2008, the Tarleton State offense boasted the league’s second-best rushing attack at 187.2 yards per game to go along with 375.5 yards of total offense per game. The Texans saw their feature running back, Roderick Smith, rush for 1,024 yards and earn first team all-LSC accolades.   In 2007, the Tarleton State front five paved the way for an average of 452.2 yards of total offense per game, including 175.5 yards per game on the ground. Three Tarleton State offensive linemen earned All-LSC accolades in 2007, including a pair of first team honorees. In Carey’s debut season as a coach for Tarleton State in 2006, the Texans' offensive line helped Tarleton State average 370.6 yards of total offense per game. Tarleton State's offensive line blocked for the LSC South Division Offensive Back of the Year in Michael Sampson and the LSC South Division Co-Freshman of the Year in Smith.   During his five years as a coach at Tarleton State, the Texans were 36-20 with two LSC championships. Carey spent time as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach over the span.   After leaving Tarleton State after 2010, Carey returned to Colorado Mines for three seasons and then came back to Texas for three years as the offensive line coach for now-NCAA Division I Abilene Christian. He spent the 2017 season at McGregor High School.   In his return to Golden, Colorado, in 2011, Carey’s group of offensive linemen tied for second in the RMAC in fewest sacks allowed (23) and the Mines offense led the conference and finished eighth nationally with 305.9 passing yards per game. The offense finished 42nd nationally with 31.6 points per game and 48th nationally with 401.6 yards of total offense per game. Quarterback Clay Garcia led the RMAC in passing yards (3,123) and running back Dan Palmer led the conference in rushing yards per game (92.4). Palmer's 1,016 rushing yards are the third-most in school history and just the third 1,00-yard season by a Mines running back in school history.   Carey, a native of Killeen, Texas, graduated from Killeen High School in 1993 before coming to Tarleton State. He graduated with his undergraduate degree in kinesiology from Tarleton State in 1997 and earned a master’s degree in college teaching from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in 2001.   He resides in Stephenville with his wife, Danielle, who earned her master’s degree and was a graduate assistant basketball coach for Tarleton State in 2008-09. The couple has two sons, Gabe and Eli.

When the 2026 football season begins, Michael Walton will begin his 26th season as a collegiate football assistant coach and his seventh at Tarleton State as the special teams coordinator. He will lead the safeties for the second straight season. Special teams was special in 2025, with Walton putting together one of the best special teams units in the country. Walton’s group led all FCS teams in kickoff return defense, averaging only 13.4 yards per game on kickoffs while ranking 23rd in the nation in kickoff returns (22.68 yards per game). Special Teams came up with four blocked kicks (16th in the nation) and three blocked punts (eighth in the nation). The Texans also only allowed one blocked kick and did not allow a blocked punt all season. Tarleton State's kickers came in the clutch all season. Brad Larson just went 3-for-3 from field goal range in Tarleton State's second round playoff game. In the regular season finale, Stephenville native Corbin Poston nailed a 41-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game, leading to a 45-44 Tarleton State overtime victory to clinch a UAC co-championship. Earlier in the year, Larson had a Texan place-kicking debut for the ages at Army. He instantly became a Texan legend with his 2-for-2 mark in the overtimes, including a 37-yard field goal make in double overtime to upset the Black Knights at Michie Stadium in front of 23,032 fans.  On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also earned its highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.   The Texans just posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. On Special Teams, the Texans didn’t allow a single blocked kick or blocked punt the entire season, plus they were fourth nationally in punt return defense (2.8 yards per), fifth in kick return defense (15.3 yards per) and 10th in net punting (40.8). Punter Adrian Guzman was named UAC All-Conference Second Team.   In the Texans’ final year of their four-year reclassification period in 2023, he helped the Texans finish 8-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. They finished second in the inaugural United Athletic Conference despite being picked to finish sixth in the 2023 Preseason UAC Coaches Poll. Walton’s unit brought excitement to the third phase of the game. The Texans led the UAC in yards per kickoff return (24.3), which was the eighth best mark in the FCS, and were second in yards per punt return (18.2), which was good for fourth in the FCS. Tarleton State was also one of 20 FCS teams that didn’t allow a single kick to be blocked in 2023. Walton coached running back Deangelo Rosemond to UAC Second Team All-Conference honors as a returner. The specialist returned 18 kicks for 462 yards (25.7 yards per return), with a long return of 65 yards.   In 2022, Walton coached punter Jake Walrath to average 40.18 yards per punt with a long of 58 with 13 punts inside the 20-yard line. Kicker Adrian Guzman was 8-of-12 on field goals, 3-of-4 from 40-49 yards out and 37-of-38 on extra points.   Walton was part of Tarleton State's 6-5 season in their second year at the NCAA Division I level in 2021. Walton was also a part of Tarleton State’s first NCAA Division I campaign in the unprecedented spring football season of 2021. The Texans went 5-3 in their first season at the FCS level and earned their first win over a Division I program against FBS Independent New Mexico State on Feb. 21. Under Walton’s leadership, the Texans returned three special teams touchdowns and added a safety return off a PAT. Tarleton State blocked three kicks and didn’t surrender one.   Walton came to Tarleton State following his second consecutive season as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for his alma mater, Eastern New Mexico. In 2018, Walton commanded a Hounds defense that finished third in the LSC. Eastern New Mexico's best defensive effort of the year came in its annual Wagon Wheel Game with West Texas A&M as the Greyhound shutout the Buffs for the first time since 1992.   His career began as a four-year letterman for the Greyhounds from 1996-99. Walton was named to 12 different All-America teams in his final two seasons as a Hound and was named the school’s Greatest Greyhound recipient on three different occasions (1997-99). He finished his career as the program’s all-time leading tackler (515) and was the 1998 LSC South Division Defensive Lineman of the Year. In his senior season, Walton led the Greyhounds to the first of back-to-back LSC South Division Championships.   Walton traded the pads for a clipboard the following season when he transitioned to the coaching staff where he stayed for the next seven football seasons as an assistant coach over various positions. He was a safeties coach for one the best defensive units in Greyhound history during that 2000 season. His defense ranked No. 14 in the nation in total defense and No. 10 in pass defense efficiency. He shifted to the offensive side of the ball for four seasons before being named the defensive coordinator in 2006.   His time in Portales led him to the NCAA Division I level as a special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach for Sam Houston State, led by none other than Todd Whitten. During his time at SHSU, Walton’s special teams unit boasted the country’s top-ranked punt coverage and punt return units.   Walton and Whitten remained together with the Bearkats for three seasons before Walton moved on to earn the defensive coordinator role with New Mexico Military Institute for the 2010 season. He quickly returned to the LSC by being named the DC for Angelo State, where he stayed from 2011-13 and elevated the Rams defense to the No. 1-ranked rushing defense in the country in 2012.   His impact once again led him to the FCS level and a return to the Piney Woods as he joined the Stephen F. Austin staff in 2014 as the special teams coordinator and safeties coach. With Walton on the staff, the Lumberjacks qualified for the FCS playoffs that season and he remained with the ‘Jacks through the 2016 season before making his return to Division II. Walton left SFA to take the defensive coordinator position at Missouri Western in 2017 before making his return to Eastern New Mexico in 2018.   A native of Earth, Texas, Walton holds two degrees from Eastern New Mexico – a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in sports administration. He is married to Alicia Polaco-Walton and they have two daughters, Lucia and Grace.

When the 2026 football season begins, Tate Whitten will begin his ninth year as a full-time wide receivers coach.   Whitten has coached some of the most decorated wide receivers to ever don the purple and white, including Harlon Hill finalist Zimari Manning, First Team All-American Darius Cooper and a pair of FCS Stats Perform Honorable Mention National Players of the Week Tariq Bitson and Gabe Douglas. His wide receivers have gone on to professional football careers, with Cooper being Tarleton State's most recent alum to play in the NFL. Cooper made the Philadelphia Eagles' 53-man roster in 2025 as an undrafted free agent.  Entering 2025, Whitten was tasked with replacing an All-American and FCS receiving yards leader in Cooper. Whitten quickly reloaded the room by molding a pair of All-Conference wide receivers. He was instrumental in helping wide receiver Peyton Kramer finish in the top 25 among all FCS receivers in receiving yards (17th, 1,023) and receiving TDs (22nd, 8) in 2025. Kramer was named All-UAC First Team Offense, with Whitten also helping receiver Cody Jackson land on the All-UAC Second Team Offense squad.  Whitten’s wide receivers were critical in the Texans posting its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also earned its highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The Texans posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Offensively, Tarleton State ranked fourth in the country in pass yards per completion (14.5), fifth in red zone offense (.933), ninth in first downs (300), tied-13th in sacks allowed per game (1.14), 22nd in total offense (415.8 yards per game), 23rd in rushing offense (191.1 yards per game), 28th in scoring offense (30.7 points per game), 34th in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.71) and 42nd in passing offense (224.7 yards per game). Tarleton State had the No. 1 receiver across all of FCS (Darius Cooper, 1,450 yards). Cooper earned several All-American awards after recording 76 receptions for 1,450 yards and 14 touchdowns, including Associated Press FCS All-America First Team. Cooper was also UAC All-Conference First Team.   In Tarleton State’s final year of their four-year reclassification period, he helped the Texans finish 8-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. They finished second in the inaugural United Athletic Conference, despite being picked to finish sixth in the 2023 Preseason UAC Coaches Poll. Whitten coached a formidable trio of wide receivers -- Darius Cooper, Benjamin Omayebu and Keylan Johnson – who accounted for 64 percent of the team’s passing yardage. Johnson exploded onto the scene in Week 2 against North Alabama with one of the strongest single-game performances in program history. He won UAC Player of the Week after recording six catches for 219 yards (fifth in school history) and four touchdowns (tied-first in school history). This made him one of only six players across NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) to score four touchdowns in a game in 2023. Omayebu reached rarified air in Texan history as well. He caught the sixth most passes in single-season school history with 64, which was fourth best in the UAC. He proved formidable in Big 12 competition as well by racking up a season-high 12 receptions against Texas Tech. His counterpart, Cooper, averaged a UAC-best 88.9 receiving yards per game over his seven games. He performed best in conference-play, where he averaged 91.7 receiving yards and tied for the third most receiving yards (457) and touchdowns (4). These numbers helped merit his UAC All-Conference selection as a second team receiver.   In 2022, Whitten helped coach a dynamic duo of receivers in Cooper and Jaden Smith. Cooper was named First Team All-WAC as he paced the Texans with 1,063 receiving yards and also had nine touchdowns. Smith was named Second Team All-WAC finished the year with 822 receiving yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. Douglas was another explosive option that Whitten coached for the Texans as he averaged 20.64 yards per reception, finishing with three touchdowns.   Tarleton State's first Division I football team hauled in 231.9 yards per game through the air. Bitson (614) and Douglas (465) were two of the nation’s top performers by combining for 1,079 yards through the air and 10 touchdowns in the spring.   In his first two seasons as a full-time staff member, Whitten coached a pair of all-conference wide-outs in Manning and JF Thomas. While leading Tarleton State to an undefeated record, an outright LSC Championship and the Super Region IV finals in 2018, Manning went on to receive all-region honors as well with 947 yards and 12 touchdowns while Thomas accounted for 539 yards and six touchdowns, including the game-winning grab in overtime to secure a win over No. 10 Midwestern State.   The tandem followed up by boasting one of the fiercest receiving corps in the country at any level in 2019. Manning led the team and the nation with 22 receiving touchdowns while going for 1,462 yards on 68 catches. Thomas wreaked havoc on the other side of the gridiron with 737 yards and six touchdowns on 36 catches. Both were named All-LSC while Manning earned a school-record five different All-America First Team honors and became the highest-finishing wide receiver in the Harlon Hill voting since 1991. Manning was named the D2CCA and Don Hansen Super Region IV Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.   Whitten spent the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant coach with the athletic department, helping Tarleton State win 11 games over the last two seasons and qualify for the Corsicana Bowl in 2017. His transition to the sidelines came after a four-year playing career for the Texans as a receiver.   He earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Tarleton State in 2016. He came to Tarleton State from Frisco Heritage High School where he was a standout student-athlete.

Pepe Pearson is entering his fourth season at Tarleton State as the running backs coach in 2026.   “We’re very blessed to be able to hire Pepe, a highly, highly decorated player back in the mid-90’s,” head coach Todd Whitten said at the time of Pearson’s hiring, announced on June 23, 2023. “He’s been highly recommended by every head coach he’s ever worked for, so I feel very fortunate to get him at this late day. I think he’s going to be really good for our backs. It’s always good when a guy has played the position at the highest level to continue coaching that. He’s just a really good hire for us and he’s an equally good person. I’m excited and looking forward to working with him.”   Tarleton State’s running backs have been amongst the nation’s best over Pearson’s first two years leading the backfield. Over the span, Tarleton State’s running backs have covered 4,883 yards on the ground across 25 games, averaging 195.3 yards per game rushing, with 48 rushing touchdowns. Tarleton State posted its third most rushing yards in a single-season in program history with 2,675 and its most in the NCAA Division I era in 2024.    Under Pearson from 2023-24, running back Kayvon Britten was consistently one of the best across all of college football, finishing with 3,132 yards on 523 carries (6.0 YPC) in 25 games (125.3 rush yards per game) and 34 rushing touchdowns. Last season, Britten shattered several program records, including single-season rushing yards (1,982), single-game rushing yards (273) and longest run (96 yards). He also added 18 rushing touchdowns across his 340 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 141.6 rush yards per game. He was named First Team All-American by four different outlets (Associated Press FCS All-America First Team, 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team, 2024 FCS Football Central All-American First Team, Phil Steele FCS 2024 All American First Team), Second Team All-American by one (2024 AFCA FCS Coaches All-America Second Team), on the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s All-Texas Non-FBS Team, plus United Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference. Britten finished eighth in the voting for the Walter Payton Award (national offensive player of the year award). He was one of 35 finalists for the 2024 Walter Payton Award, one of 15 running backs among the finalists, with an additional 16 quarterbacks, three wide receivers and one offensive lineman. Britten finished as the leading rusher across the FCS and second across all of NCAA Division I football. He also had a touchdown and 165 yards on 16 receptions, finishing with 2,147 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns. Britten rushed for over 100 yards in 11 different games, and with 15 in his Tarleton State career, he had the most ever by a Texan. Britten was named the FCS Offensive National Player of the Week and UAC Offensive Player of the Week against North Alabama on Sept. 21 after 273 rushing yards and four touchdowns, averaging 13.0 yards per carry. Britten set a new program record for single-game rushing yards, surpassing Ross' 269 yards rushing vs. Western New Mexico on Sept. 10, 2005. Britten tied the program record in scoring with his four touchdowns, joining six others. On Oct. 5 at Southern Utah, Britten crossed the 1,000-yard mark in the sixth game of the year. Only five FCS players have reached 1,000 yards in fewer games; South Dakota State's Zach Zenner in 2012, Portland State's Charles Dunn in 2000, Sacramento State's Charles Roberts in 1999, Siena's Reggie Greene in 1997, and Butler's Arnold Mickens in 1994. Britten is one of three players in program history with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. In his first year at Tarleton State in 2023, Britten covered 1,150 yards on 183 carries (6.3 YPC) and 16 touchdowns in 11 games. Britten left big shoes to fill in Tarleton State’s running back room, but Pearson reloaded for a historic 2025 season. Collectively, Tarleton State had another top rushing attack among FCS teams. Pearson helped the Texans average 193.9 rushing yards per game, good for 18th in the nation and second in the UAC. Tarleton State’s backfield displayed great versatility in 2025, having multiple backs shine for the purple and white. Tylan Hines posted back-to-back games rushing for 100+ yards, racing for 120 in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. Despite missing four games due to injury, redshirt freshman Tre Page III had one of the best seasons by any running back in the country, not just freshmen. Stats Perform announced Page was on its list of 25 finalists for the 2025 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the national freshman player of the year in college football's Division I FCS subdivision. Page was also named as to the Stats Perform Freshman All-America team at the conclusion of the season. Tarleton State's other two main running backs on the year were Caleb Lewis and James Paige, the two leading scorers on the ground for the Texans. Lewis has punched it in nine times in 2025 and Paige, the quarterback turned running back, had eight rushing touchdowns on the year. Paige’s best performance came with a five-touchdown game on Oct. 11 in a win at Utah Tech. On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also earned its highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.   The Texans posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Offensively, Tarleton State ranked fourth in the country in pass yards per completion (14.5), fifth in red zone offense (.933), ninth in first downs (300), tied-13th in sacks allowed per game (1.14), 22nd in total offense (415.8 yards per game), 23rd in rushing offense (191.1 yards per game), 28th in scoring offense (30.7 points per game), 34th in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.71) and 42nd in passing offense (224.7 yards per game).   Pearson finished his first year as the running backs coach in 2023, Tarleton State’s final year of their four-year reclassification period, where he helped the Texans finish 8-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. They finished second in the inaugural United Athletic Conference, despite being picked to finish sixth in the 2023 Preseason UAC Coaches Poll. Pearson helped engineer the most dynamic rushing attack in the UAC. The unit amassed 201.7 rushing yards per game (first in UAC), 25 rushing touchdowns (first in UAC) and 5.2 yards per carry (second in UAC). Britten led the pack with 1,170 yards (second in UAC, 104.55 per game) on 183 carries, reaching the end zone 16 times (first in UAC). His 6.3 average yards per carry tied for the fourth best mark in the conference. This production earned him a UAC First Team selection on the All-Conference team. Derrel Kelley III spelled Britten as the second RB for 567 yards of his own on 109 carries. He averaged 60 yards in his nine games on 5.0 yards per attempt, reaching the end zone four times. Caleb Lewis finished third on the team in yards (372) and carries (67), averaging 5.0 yards per attempt and scoring two touchdowns. Pearson arrived in Stephenville with 22 seasons of collegiate coaching experience, with stops at Tennessee State (2021-22), Marshall (2016-20), Youngstown State (2015) and Ohio Dominican (2001-14). Pearson starred as a running back himself in the 1990s, playing for several NFL teams after rushing for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns at Ohio State.    Pearson coached under his former Buckeye teammate Eddie George his last two seasons at Tennessee State. In 2022, his main two running backs totaled 1,153 yards on 245 carries (4.7 YPC). In 2021, he helped his lead back to Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors.   “I would like to thank Coach Whitten for giving me this amazing opportunity to coach in the great state of Texas and work with an outstanding group of coaches,” Pearson said at the time of his hiring. “I am also excited to work with a talented group of players. I have had amazing support in my short time here and the people at Tarleton State University have certainly extended a warm welcome to me and my family. I am ready to get to work and help this team achieve a high standard of success on the gridiron. Go Texans!”   Pearson spent five years as the running backs coach at Marshall prior to his stint at Tennessee State. He helped lead the Conference USA’s Most Valuable Player, Brenden Knox, to the tune of 1,387 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019. The Herd made a bowl game in each of Pearson’s last four seasons in Huntington. Pearson also helped Thundering Herd running back Keion Davis to a Gasparilla Bowl MVP award following a 94-yard, two touchdown performance in a win over South Florida in 2018. Pearson tutored a stable of running backs in 2018 as Tyler King led the team in rushing yards with 665 while Anthony Anderson led the team with nine rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Brenden Knox led all of college football in rushing yards in the month of December with 297 as a freshman.   In his lone season at Youngstown State in 2015, Pearson guided the FCS Penguins to over 2,000 rushing yards. He coached Jody Webb to MVC All-Second team honors while backfield mate Martin Ruiz ended the season ranked sixth in school history in rushing yards with 3,153.   Before the one season spent at Youngstown State, Pearson served 14 seasons at Ohio Dominican, where the Panthers won four conference championships. He was the running backs coach and added the title of special teams coordinator throughout his final four seasons. In 2014, Pearson and the Panthers advanced to the NCAA D2 playoffs while Brandon Schoen helped lead the way with 1,134 rushing yards. The Panthers finished 11-2, losing to Colorado State Pueblo in the Super Region Four Final. The 11 wins were the most for the team since joining D2 in 2010 and the most by a Panther team since 2007. Under Pearson’s guidance, Schoen became the school’s all-time leading rusher. In 2013, Pearson had two 1,000-yard rushers, the first time in school history a pair reached the 1,000-yard mark in the same season. Running back Mike Noffsinger was named a Harlon Hill Trophy semifinalist as one of the best Division II players in the country in 2011-12. 2011 was the best rushing offense in Panther’s program history as Noffsinger carried the ball 246 times for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 112.9 yards per game.   As a running back himself, Pearson spent time with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. George and Pearson shared the backfield at Ohio State for two seasons (1994-95), and in 1996, Pearson became a preseason Heisman candidate. That year he exploded for 1,484 yards on 299 carries (5.0 YPC) and 17 touchdowns in 12 games. He led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl win in 1997. Across his four-year career at Ohio State, Pearson was twice All-Big Ten, twice the team’s MVP, and the Buckeyes went 41-10.   The Euclid, Ohio, native, was the runner-up Mr. Ohio at the prep level. He rushed for nearly 4,500 yards and 49 touchdowns in high school, earning a USA Today All-American award and Northeast Ohio Player of the Year honors.   Pearson and his wife, Semoine, have three children.

When the 2026 season begins, Devante Sims will begin his third season as an assistant coach for Tarleton State Football leading the cornerbacks. The defensive backfield thrived under Sims in 2025, with defensive back Kasyus Kurns posting one of the best seasons by a defensive player in program history. Sims was instrumental in guiding Kurns to the Stats Perform FCS All-America Team. Kurns was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in FCS. Under Sims’ watch, Kurns earned a spot on the All-UAC First Team Defense. Kurns was also second in the nation among all FCS players in interceptions per game (0.55), co-leading FCS defensive backs in interceptions (6). Another defensive back obtained All-Conference honors in 2025 with Sims’ help, with Omar Emmons collecting a spot on the All-UAC Second Team Defense.  On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also earned its highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.   The Texans posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Sims’ group helped the defense rank tied-third in the country in takeaways with 29 (first in conference), including the tied-fifth most interceptions (18) and tied-eighth most fumble recoveries (11). The Texans were second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 24.6 points per game. Tarleton State allowed fewer than 20 points in six different games, including a 42-0 shutout on Homecoming against the UAC’s Utah Tech. Defensive backs Kasyus Kurns and Donta Stuart earned UAC All-Conference Second Team.   "I'm excited to be a part of the Texan family and help serve these young men and continue the winnings ways that Coach Whitten has established for this program while having the ability to continue to learn and develop under the proven leader that Coach [Tyrone] Nix is on the defensive side of the football," Sims said at the time of his hiring. "My family is excited to get to Stephenville."   Sims spent 2023 as Pittsburg State's defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach. He helped the Gorillas reach the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs after winning the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association conference with an 11-2 record. His defense had a knack for frustrating quarterbacks. The unit held their opponents to 180.7 passing yards per game in 2023, and they led all of NCAA Division II teams in interceptions with 22.   Prior to coaching the Gorillas, Sims was the defensive backs coach at Angelo State for two seasons. In 2022, ASU's defense was one of the top units in Division II, ranking top five nationally in total defense (No. 1), interceptions (No. 1), defensive passing efficiency (No. 2), scoring defense (No. 4) and passing yards allowed (No. 4). He helped the Rams win the Lone Star Conference Championship with a 12-1 record, and they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.   Sims also spent time at Eastern New Mexico State from 2019-2021 as the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator.   Sims began his collegiate coaching career as a cornerbacks coach at Thiel College in 2016 and at Angelo State in 2017. The Florida native played defensive back at Lake Erie College from 2011-2014. He was a three-year starter, compiling 114 career tackles and has the third most pass breakups in school history.   Devante Sims is married to Anya Sims, and the couple has two kids, Amina and Devante “Zo”.

Entering 2026, Beau Blair will begin his second season at Tarleton State as an assistant coach, leading the tight ends. In his first season as the tight ends coach in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also collected their highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and No. 4 seed reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.  In total, Blair has been coaching for 12 years. At the collegiate level, Blair coached one year at Houston Christian (2024) as Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator, two years at Northwestern State (2022-23) as Offensive Coordinator, two years at New Mexico Highlands (2020-21) as Offensive Coordinator, one year at Incarnate Word (2019) as Football Operations Assistant- Offensive Line, one year at Houston (2018) as Offensive Graduate Assistant, and one year at Southeastern (2017) as Graduate Assistant. Coaching at the high school level, Blair spent two seasons at Jacksonville HS (2015-16) as the offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and boys head powerlifting coach, plus a season spent at Diboll HS (2014) as offensive line coach, boys head powerlifting coach and boys shot put and discus coach. Blair also was an offensive line student assistant at Stephen F. Austin from 2010-13.   “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Tarleton State, and I would like to thank Coach Todd Whitten, Steve Uryasz, and Dr. James Hurley,” Blair said at the time of his hiring. “I’ve seen the university, program, and community grow in so many ways. Tarleton’s rich tradition and strong community support are something I’m proud to be a part of.”   Blair spent last season at Houston Christian as the offensive line coach and Run Game Coordinator. He helped the Huskies to a single-game rushing record 414 yards against McNeese and a single-season average rushing record in conference play at 188 yards.   Blair’s two years with the Demons in Natchitoches, Louisiana, featured him leading the offense, in particular the running backs and tight ends. In 2022, the Demons ranked 18th in the nation in passing offense (268.9 yards per game).   At New Mexico Highlands, Blair was the OC, leading the offensive line and serving as camp coordinator. In 2021, his offense ranked No. 23 in total offense at the NCAA Division II level with 441.8 yards per game, including the 23rd most pass yards per game at 269.8. The Cowboys averaged 30.5 points per contest with five all-conference players, including the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.   Blair is a Gilmer, Texas, native. He earned his bachelor’s degree in composite social studies at SFA in 2014, and his master’s degree in human performance and sports at New Mexico Highlands in 2022.   He and his wife, Lauren, reside in Stephenville.

When the 2026 football season begins, Braden Hucks will begin his sixth season on the Tarleton State Football staff, his fourth straight year as Offensive Assistant. On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also collected their highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and No. 4 seed reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.    The Texans posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Offensively, Tarleton State ranked fourth in the country in pass yards per completion (14.5), fifth in red zone offense (.933), ninth in first downs (300), tied-13th in sacks allowed per game (1.14), 22nd in total offense (415.8 yards per game), 23rd in rushing offense (191.1 yards per game), 28th in scoring offense (30.7 points per game), 34th in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.71) and 42nd in passing offense (224.7 yards per game). Tarleton State had the No. 1 rusher across all of FCS (Kayvon Britten, 1,982 yards) and the No. 1 receiver across all of FCS (Darius Cooper, 1,450 yards). Britten and Cooper collected a combined nine All-American honors, including both earning Associated Press FCS All-America First Team. There were five offensive players total named UAC All-Conference, with Cooper and Britten on First Team, followed by quarterback Victor Gabalis, offensive lineman Layton Ernst and offensive lineman Tuli Teuhema on Second Team.   In 2023, Tarleton State’s final year of their four-year reclassification period, Hucks helped the Texans finish 8-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. They finished second in the inaugural United Athletic Conference, despite being picked to finish sixth in the 2023 Preseason UAC Coaches Poll. The Texans were an offensive power with Hucks in the mix. In conference ranks, they averaged the second most points per game (33.3), yards per game (430.5), yards per rush (5.2), pass yards per attempt (8.1), and the most yards per play (6.4), rushing yards per game (201.7) and rushing touchdowns (25). Hucks helped coach five offensive players to All-Conference honors, including two on the First Team – running back Kayvon Britten and center Tuli Teuhema – and three on the Second Team – wide receiver Darius Cooper, offensive linemen Layton Ernst and offensive lineman Hunter Smith.    Hucks wrapped up his Texan playing career in the spring of 2021 after appearing in 26 games over three seasons with the purple and white. In his career, Hucks was a part of Tarleton State’s back-to-back Lone Star Conference championship teams.   Prior to Tarleton State, he spent one season at Blinn Junior College and was a conference champion wide receiver. In high school, he was a prep star at San Angelo Central as a quarterback. He was the District MVP and the first QB in Little Southwest Conference history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a single season.   He received a bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State in 2021 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree.

Entering 2026, TJ McCollum will begin his second season at Tarleton State as Texan Football Defensive Assistant.   McCollum’s duties include helping develop the defensive game plan for each opponent and working specifically with the secondary.  On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also collected their highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and No. 4 seed reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.    Before arriving in Stephenville, McCollum spent seven seasons on the Purdue staff and served as a defensive analyst starting in 2021. He was a graduate assistant for the Boilermakers from 2018-20. He worked with both the Purdue secondary and linebackers over that span.   “I just want to start by thanking God for this incredible opportunity,” McCollum said at the time of his hiring. “Without Him, none of this would be possible. I’m also incredibly grateful to Coach Whitten and Coach [Tyrone] Nix for believing in me and giving me this chance to be part of such a great organization. I’m excited to get to work, contribute to the team, and help us compete at the highest level. Go Texans!”   With McCollum’s assistance, Purdue advanced to the Big Ten Conference Championship Game and the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in 2022, won the Music City Bowl in 2021, and a Music City Bowl appearance in 2018.   McCollum has helped guide several defensive individuals to special success, including the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last year, a 2024 NFL Draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens (Sanoussi Kane), a 2023 NFL Draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers (Cory Trice), a 2020 NFL Draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals (Markus Bailey), plus two other NFL signees (Cam Allen with the Denver Broncos and Reese Taylor with the Kansas City Chiefs).   McCollum played collegiately as a safety and linebacker at UAB (2013-14), Western Kentucky (2015-16) and Purdue (2017). In his lone season with the Boilermakers, he started all 13 games and helped lead Purdue to a win over Arizona at the 2017 Foster Farms Bowl  He was on a pair of Conference USA championship teams (2015-16) with the Hilltoppers and started for the 2015 Miami Beach Bowl and 2016 Boca Raton Bowl championship teams. He was a two-time All-C-USA honoree at WKU. After college, he played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and was in mini camps with the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.   McCollum, whose first name is Travis, is a Birmingham, Alabama, native. He graduated from WKU with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on business in 2016 and from Purdue with a master's degree in technology leadership and innovation in 2018.

When the 2026 season begins, Sean Moorer will begin his third season at Tarleton State as Defensive Graduate Assistant. He mostly assists with the defensive line in his role. On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also collected their highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and No. 4 seed reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.    Moorer joined Tarleton State after spending the 2023 season at Louisiana-Monroe as an assistant quarterbacks coach. There he assisted in game planning and recruiting, plus instructed quarterbacks in drills and meetings.   From 2011-22, Moorer was co-defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach, and special teams coordinator at Niceville High School. Moorer is a Niceville, Florida, native. He earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies at West Florida in 2022.

When the 2026 football season kicks off, Melanie Lane will begin her 12th season as the Football Administrative Assistant for the Texan Football Team.   Lane joined the athletics staff in April 2016 after spending 14 years in different areas of Tarleton State University.   After starting in the financial aid office, Lane spent the last five years as a Financial Aid Counselor where she helped students with the submitting FAFSA applications, verifying student records, processing financial aid awards, and visiting with parents and students about the financial aid process.   A native of Comanche and graduate of Comanche High School, Lane attended Tarleton State. She is married to Steve, her husband of nearly 20 years, and the couple has two children, Tyler and Jaci.

Hunter Batten is entering his third season as Tarleton State Football’s Offensive Graduate Assistant in 2026. On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also collected their highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and No. 4 seed reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.    In his first year on staff, Batten helped the Texans to a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Offensively, Tarleton ranked fourth in the country in pass yards per completion (14.5), fifth in red zone offense (.933), ninth in first downs (300), tied-13th in sacks allowed per game (1.14), 22nd in total offense (415.8 yards per game), 23rd in rushing offense (191.1 yards per game), 28th in scoring offense (30.7 points per game), 34th in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.71) and 42nd in passing offense (224.7 yards per game). Tarleton State had the No. 1 rusher across all of FCS (Kayvon Britten, 1,982 yards) and the No. 1 receiver across all of FCS (Darius Cooper, 1,450 yards). Britten and Cooper collected a combined nine All-American honors, including both earning Associated Press FCS All-America First Team. There were five offensive players total named UAC All-Conference, with Cooper and Britten on First Team, followed by quarterback Victor Gabalis, offensive lineman Layton Ernst and offensive lineman Tuli Teuhema on Second Team.   Before joining the Tarleton State coaching staff, Batten was the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Snow College in 2023. Helped the Badgers go 9-3 overall at the junior college level and advance to the Game One Bowl. The Badgers averaged 133.2 yards per game on the ground, plus had 23 rushing touchdowns across the year.   Batten played four seasons at Tarleton State at running ack after a year played at Howard Payne in 2017. He appeared in three career games, rushing for 35 yards on six carries. At Howard Payne as a true freshman, Batten was All-Conference First Team, playing in 10 games and leading the team in rushing with 961 yards on 180 carries, with eight rushing touchdowns. He had three games with 100 yards rushing, including a career-high 211 yards on 24 carries against Sul Ross State.   Batten is a Bryan, Texas, native. He graduated from Bryan High School in 2017 before earning his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at Tarleton State in 2021. In 2022, Batten earned a master’s degree at Lamar in nutrition.

When the 2026 season begins, Tyrone Nix will begin his fifth season at Tarleton State as the defensive coordinator and his third as Assistant Head Coach, with his promotion announced on July 26, 2024. He will also lead the inside linebackers for the fifth straight season after leading the safeties in 2022.   “Tyrone Nix is a tremendous leader of young men and has done great things for our program," Whitten said as he announced his promotion. "He deserves this opportunity and I know he will continue to do great things here at Tarleton State."   "It's a tremendous honor that Coach Whitten has given me this opportunity," Nix said at the time of his promotion. "I truly feel blessed that he sees me as someone who has the qualities that it takes to have these type of responsibilities. The guys I work with on a daily basis and the way our kids have performed have helped elevate me to this position. I have learned so much from Coach Whitten and the way he orchestrates this team and the leadership he provides. I'm thankful that he thinks enough of me to be a part of this staff and hopefully we can help continue to guide the Texans in winning ways." The 2025 season was historic for Tarleton State Football and so was Nix’s defense. Turnovers and takeaways were a major reason for Tarleton State's historic campaign. Nix’s defense earned 39 takeaways, leading all FCS teams in that category. The Texans' 39 takeaways were the most by an FCS team since 2017 (James Madison with 44). Tarleton State averaged a turnover margin of +2.14, also leading the nation in that category. The Texans’ defense were leaders in the FCS in two additional defensive categories: interceptions (24) and fumbles recovered (15). Under Nix’s leadership, Tarleton State finished in the top 10 nationally in third down conversion percent defense (4th, .310), red zone defense (6th, .714), and scoring defense (9th, 18.6). Nix’s defense also led the UAC in total defense (331.4) while finishing in the top 25 nationally on that side of the ball. The Texan defense scored six touchdowns themselves, the sixth-most in the nation. Nix was instrumental in guiding defensive back Kasyus Kurns to the Stats Perform FCS All-America Team. Kurns was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in FCS. Under Nix’s watch, Kurns and defensive lineman Angelo Anderson earned spots on the All-UAC First Team Defense. Defensive lineman Brandon Tolvert, linebacker Yasir Holmes and defensive back Omar Emmons earned spots on the All-UAC Second Team Defense in 2025.  Nix spearheaded a defense that only allowed a combined 13 points to its first FCS opponents. Starting with a 42-0 shutout at Portland State in front of a nationally-televised audience, Nix’s defense came up with three takeaways in the second half to boost Tarleton State over Army in West Point. Army, the American Conference champions from the previous year, was Tarleton State's first road victory against an FBS program in its fourth try, and second win against an FBS program in five total matchups. The defense returned to Stephenville by only allowing three points to Mississippi Valley State in the 2025 home opener and followed suit with another shutout on Nov. 15 against North Alabama. In the FCS Playoffs, Nix’s defense was on point again. The Texans collected a pair of takeaways and only allowed 13 points in the second round against North Dakota, allowing Tarleton State to advance to its first-ever FCS Quarterfinal. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. Defensively, Tarleton ranked tied-third in the country in takeaways with 29 (first in conference), including the tied-fifth most interceptions (18) and tied-eighth most fumble recoveries (11). The Texans were second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 24.6 points per game. Tarleton State allowed fewer than 20 points in six different games, including a 42-0 shutout on Homecoming against the UAC’s Utah Tech. Nix had four defensive players make UAC All-Conference after the season, with defensive lineman Brandon Tolvert on First Team, and linebacker Ty Rawls, defensive back Kasyus Kurns and defensive back Donta Stuart on Second Team.   In 2023, the final year of the program’s four-year NCAA Division I reclassification, Nix helped the Texans to their best record as a Division I school, finishing 8-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. They finished second in the standings in the United Athletic Conference’s inaugural season, despite being picked to finish sixth in the 2023 Preseason UAC Coaches Poll. As a defense, the Texans were stout under Nix. His unit was tops in the conference in yards per play allowed (4.76), defensive touchdowns (four, tied-fourth in FCS) and fumbles recovered (11, tied-ninth in FCS). The unit was also tied for third among the UAC in takeaways (18) and tackles for loss (65), while allowing the fourth fewest points per game (24.5). The Texans held four opponents to 17 points or fewer, including Tarleton State's first shutout in nearly three years, a 42-0 blitzing of Morehead State on homecoming. Nix coached three players to All-Conference honors in 2023. This included two on the First Team -- linebacker Qua'Shawn Washington and defensive back Patrick Jones -- and defensive lineman Josh Griffis on the Second Team.   Tarleton State turned in a 6-5 record in Nix’s first season at the helm of the Texan defense. The 2022 Tarleton State defense held four opponents under 14 points, going 4-0 in those games. The Nix-led defense opened the season with a bang, holding Mississippi Valley State to just 13 total points, 273 total yards, 73 passing yards and forced six punts. A 41-6 shellacking of Eastern New Mexico saw Nix’s defense hold the Greyhounds without a touchdown and limited them to 112 total yards on the day to pair with the Texans forcing three turnovers. A 24-10 win over Southwest Baptist was once again another impressive performance as they held SBU to just 62 yards rushing and intercepted two passes. Tarleton State ended the season with a 49-7 win over Houston Christian as Nix’s defense held the Huskies to just 10 first downs, -21 net rushing yards and a -0.8 average yards per rush while forcing four turnovers. The Texans also forced a season-high 10 punts to go with nine tackles for loss and two sacks. Nix helped coach DB Donovan Banks to First Team All-WAC honors as well as linebackers Patrick Jones and Qua’Shawn Washington landing on the All-WAC Second Team.   “Tyrone Nix has proven to be an elite defensive coach for decades and has been around some of the best minds in college football for several years," Whitten said at the time of Nix’s hire.   Nix has been a Division I coach for over 25 years, serving as the defensive coordinator for five previous D1 programs, including Ole Miss and South Carolina. Before Tarleton State, he was most recently the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at UTSA in 2020.   “I’m grateful for the chance to join this elite program that has quickly shown they belong in NCAA Division I,” Nix said when he arrived in Stephenville. “I know my near-three decades’ worth of experience at this level of college football along with the gifts and talents God has anointed me with can help elevate Tarleton State Football even further, and I can’t wait to get started. I want to thank God, Coach Whitten, Coach Reisman and Dr. Hurley for this opportunity.”   Including his three seasons at Tarleton State, Nix has spent 20 years as a defensive coordinator at the D1 level, holding that title at Tarleton State (2022-24), UTSA (2020), Middle Tennessee (2012-16), Ole Miss (2008-11), South Carolina (2005-07) and Southern Miss (2001-04). His other titles and stops include outside linebackers coach at Ole Miss (2019), safeties coach at Virginia Tech (2018), defensive analyst at Texas A&M (2017), and numerous defensive position titles among his full tenure at Southern Miss from 1995-2004.   Nix had two stints at Ole Miss, one as the defensive coordinator (2008-11) and one as the linebackers coach (2019). In his stint as the defensive coordinator, his defenses were respected throughout the SEC. In 2008, the Rebel defense ranked fourth in the nation in rushing defense (86.5 YPG) and coached a first-round draft pick in DT Peria Jerry. He also coached up DT Jerrell Powe to multiple All-SEC honors. In 2009 the Rebels finished the season with 92 tackles for loss and 34 sacks, totals good for first and second in the SEC, respectively. Ole Miss made bowl appearances in back-to-back seasons in 2008-09.   Nix spent one season in Blacksburg with Virginia Tech in 2018. The Hokies won six games and made an appearance in the Military Bowl. Nix’s defense held Florida State to three points, Duke to 14 points and North Carolina to 19 points, all wins.   As a defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee from 2012-16, Nix and the Blue Raiders saw great success. The defense in 2015 ranked fourth nationally in red zone defense (.694), eighth in defensive touchdowns (four) and 14th in interceptions (17), while forcing 25 turnovers. He coached 13 all-conference selections and two NFL players in Kevin Byard and Jimmy Staten. The Blue Raiders did not experience a losing season with Nix on staff.   Nix’s first stop in the SEC was at South Carolina where he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator. In 2006, the Gamecocks allowed just 18.7 points per contest. South Carolina led the SEC and ranked fifth in the nation in pass defense in 2007. Two-time All-Pro honoree and two-time Pro Bowler Jonathon Joseph learned under Nix’s tutelage.   Nix spent 10 seasons with his alma mater Southern Miss in various roles ranging from coaching outside linebackers, defensive backs, and he also spent time as the defensive coordinator beginning in 2001. From 2001-03, the Golden Eagles ranked in the top-15 in the country in scoring defense and pass defense each season.   In all, Nix has coached at eight different Division I programs, spending 15 years in Conference USA, nine years in the Southeastern Conference, one year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, one year in the Sun Belt Conference, two years in the United Athletic Conference, and one year in the Western Athletic Conference. He’s a former Broyles Award finalist, given to the nation’s top assistant coach. In the SEC, Nix elevated as high as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at both Ole Miss, under head coach Houston Nutt, and at South Carolina, under head coach Steve Spurrier.   The Attalla, Alabama, native, played four years at linebacker for Southern Miss from 1990-93 before returning to coach at his alma mater for 10 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Miss in 1995. Nix’s brother Derrick is the wide receivers coach for Ole Miss. Tyrone Nix is married to Toya Nix and they have two children – a son, Ty, and a daughter, Tiah.

When the 2026 football season begins, Brady Camp will begin his fifth season as the video coordinator with the Texan Football program. His duties include managing film for practices and games, exchanging film with other schools, getting scout film for coaches, and creating highlight tapes.   Camp is no stranger to Tarleton State Athletics, as he ran on the track and field team for three seasons (2018-20), competing in the 100m and 200m sprints.   A native of Burleson, Texas, Camp earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2021 from Tarleton State, and his master’s degree in Sports Administration at Tarleton State in 2023.

Jonathan Beasley is entering his 15th year at Tarleton State in 2026 as Director of Football Operations.   This will be Beasley's fifth season in the operations role after spending 10 seasons on the coaching staff. He’s served as a tight ends coach, wide receivers coach and running backs coach, coaching three positional players of the year, three All-Americans and 13 All-Conference selections. Beasley has also had a major hand in bringing in the most elite talent this program has ever seen over the past 10 years, many players who have went on to play professional football, as he was the team’s recruiting coordinator in addition to his other duties. On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also collected their highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and No. 4 seed reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.    The Texans just posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. It was the longest regular season in program history both in number of games played and number of days on the calendar, with Tarleton State opening on Week 0 (a 26-23 win over McNeese on ESPN2) on Aug. 23, and finishing with a 42-31 loss at South Dakota on Dec. 7. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. The Texans finished second in the UAC. Across the board, Tarleton State was ranked No. 22 in total offense and they forced the tied-third most turnovers. Tarleton State had both the leading receiver (Darius Cooper at 1,450 yards) and the leading rusher (Kayvon Britten at 1,982) across all of the FCS.   Beasley was part of all four years of Tarleton State’s reclassification period, which was special nationwide, as the Texans posted the third highest winning percentage in a reclassification period since 2004 at .610 (25-16). Among all Texas D1 and D2 programs since 2018, the Texans own the best winning percentage in the state at .727 (48-18).   Prior to the move to Division I, Beasley helped transform the Tarleton State offense into the most prolific rushing attack in the country and the best season in school history with a 12-1 record, the first outright LSC championship and advanced to the NCAA regional finals in 2018. Behind a pair of 1,000-yard running backs in Xavier Turner and Daniel McCants, the Texans rushed for a school record 4,301 yards and 310 yards per game, ranking third in the country and the best for a non-option offense. Turner, a Harlon Hill nominee and LSC Offensive Back of the Year, ran for 1,469 yards and 22 touchdowns while McCants had 1,141 yards and eight touchdowns. Turner signed a free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.   That season followed up with yet another undefeated regular season and LSC Championship as the 2019 Texans went 11-1. McCants enjoyed one of the finest rushing seasons in school history on his way to being named the LSC Offensive Back of the Year and to four different All-America teams. The senior from Killeen rushed for 1,457 yards on a mere 164 carries to lead the nation in yards per attempt (8.9). As a team, the Texans rushed for 3,207 yards for the season and were the No. 14-ranked rushing attack in the country.   Over the final two seasons in the LSC, Beasley coached back-to-back LSC Offensive Backs of the Year (Turner and McCants) and three All-Americans (Turner, McCants, QB Holmes). He also coached TE Brant Bailey to four straight All-LSC honors.   Beasley took over coaching the running backs and tight ends in 2016 and saw much success from his student-athletes. In that first year, his running backs combined for 1,060 yards and 10 touchdowns while freshman tight end Brant Bailey took home second-team All-LSC recognition in his debut season under Beasley’s leadership. Beasley later helped Xavier Turner earn All-LSC Second Team honors in a breakout season that saw the junior rush for 765 yards and 11 touchdowns. Turner also became the second player in school history to rush, catch, and throw for a touchdown in a single game – which he did at Midwestern State.   In his first four seasons at Tarleton State, he was the primary wide receivers coach and led two of the top wide receivers in this history of Texan Football – Clifton Rhodes III and Le’Nard Meyers. Rhodes ended his career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (209) and receiving yards (2,757) while Meyers is second in receptions (202), fourth in yards (2,580), and the all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (27). Meyers also tied Devin Guinn for the school record mark in 100-yard receiving games (10).   Under Beasley’s leadership, Meyers had a banner year in 2015 as a senior. The Texan receiver from Gatesville was a first-team All-LSC selection, two-time all-region award winner, and a third-team All-America selection as well as being named the Lone Star Conference Receiver of the Year.   In 2014, the Texans boasted one of the top receiving corps in the nation with the trio of Le'Nard Meyers, Bubba Tandy and Clifton Rhodes III, who ultimately set the school record for most receptions and most receiving yards in school history. For the second straight season, Beasley's receiving corps had four players top the 400-yard receiving plateau with Tandy leading the way with 830 yards and Meyers checking in at 755. Rhodes III (556) and Tyler Wright (432) were the other top receivers for the Texans while Rhodes, Tandy and Meyers were named all-conference at receiver.   Beasley also spent the 2014 as the team's Academic Coordinator and the Texans had three Texans named to the league Academic All-Conference team and Charles Moore was named an Academic All-America honoree and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and finalist for the William V. Campbell trophy.   In 2013, Beasley helped sophomore Le’Nard Meyers have a breakout season with a team-best 731 yards on 58 receptions, including a career-high 178 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns to power a 24-point comeback win against No. 4 West Texas A&M on Oct. 12. Meyers wasn’t the only Texan receiver to shine under Beasley’s tutelage as Meyers, Clifton Rhodes III (675), Bubba Tandy (498) and Jeken Frye (419) all topped the 400-yard receiving plateau. Beasley’s receivers had five 100-yard receiving games in 2013.   In Beasley’s first season with Tarleton State, he helped the Texan receivers combine for over 2,500 yards and 18 touchdowns with two receivers amassing more than 670 yards individually.   In his Tarleton State career, he had a total of four different receivers, one running back and one tight end earn All-LSC honors.   Beasley, a former star quarterback at Kansas State, came to Tarleton State after coaching three years at his alma mater as an offensive assistant coach. Beasley returned to his alma mater and served as the wide receivers coach after being an assistant coach at Montana State in 2007 and 2008.   The Bobcats went 13-10 over Beasley’s two seasons. As part of the Bobcat coaching staff, Beasley also assisted with the weekly implementation of the offensive game plan and served as the MSU Community Service Coordinator.   Before arriving at Montana State, Beasley served as a graduate assistant at Emporia State as well as quarterbacks and running backs coach at Wichita North High in 2006 and JV and freshmen quarterbacks’ coach at Cactus High in Glendale, Ariz. in 2003.   He played professionally for the Wichita Aviators in the APFL (2005), the Wichita Stealth in Arena II (2004), the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars (2003), the NFL Detroit Lions (2003), and NFL Green Bay Packers (2001). He also played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (2001-02). His time in Wichita earned him a spot in the Kanas Indoor Professional Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2016. The Wichita Eagle also named him one of the Top-10 All-Time Greatest Indoor Football players.   A native of Glendale, Arizona, Beasley was a third-team All-Big XII selection at quarterback for K-State in 2000 and earned MVP honors in the 2001 Cotton Bowl, where K-State defeated Tennessee 35-21 and Beasley earned MVP honors after scoring three touchdowns on 98 yards rushing and 210 yards passing, and 1999 Holiday Bowl. He also earned MVP and team captain honors for the 2001 Hula Bowl and was the team captain for the 2001 East-West Shrine Game.   His heroics in the 2001 Cotton Bowl garnered a prestigious honor in 2019 when he was announced as one of seven individuals to be inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2020, alongside his head coach from Kansas State Bill Snyder. He entered the Hall of Fame in a special ceremony in 2021.   Beasley was a two-year starter at Kansas State, compiling a 132.7 pass efficiency rating in 2000, the top mark in school history to that point. He threw for over 30 touchdowns in his career and finished with 4,642 career passing yards. He holds the school record for most yards per completion for a game (23.9), season (20.1) and career (17.9) while also compiling a 21-4 record in two seasons as the Wildcat starting quarterback.   He led K-State to a Big 12 Championship Game appearance against Oklahoma as a senior, and led the Wildcats to a win over Nebraska that same season by throwing a game-winning 12-yard scoring strike in the game’s final three minutes.   Beasley married his wife, Amanda, in July 2014. He has two sons, Tanner and Liam, and a daughter, Olivia.

Dylan Wagner is entering his third season in 2026 as Director of Recruiting and Player Development for Texan Football, his fifth year with the program. Tasked with replacing one of the biggest classes in program history following a historic 2025 season, Wagner was vital in helping the Texans reload. A 63-man National Signing Day class in 2026 was the largest NSD class in Tarleton State Football history. According to AthLinkd, College Football's Premier Prospect Database, Tarleton State had the No. 1 class across all of the FCS. Earlier in the portal window, 247Sports had the Texans as the No. 1 ranked portal class in the FCS. Of the transfers, 17 are joining Tarleton State from the FBS level. The 2026 class also had 24 players who earned stars as a prospect in high school, with three four-star prospects, 20 three-star prospects and one two-star prospect. On the Tarleton State Football staff during the historic season in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also earned its highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.   The Texans posted a historic campaign in 2024, going 10-4 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference play, winning their FCS Playoffs debut against Drake before dropping a tight contest at No. 4 South Dakota in Vermillion in the second round. It was the longest regular season in program history both in number of games played and number of days on the calendar, with Tarleton State opening on Week 0 (a 26-23 win over McNeese on ESPN2) on Aug. 23, and finishing with a 42-31 loss at South Dakota on Dec. 7. On Nov. 30, 13-seed Tarleton State hosted Drake in the first round of the FCS Playoffs  winning 43-29 at Memorial Stadium. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990. The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs in just their first year of championship eligibility. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State). Tarleton State was named No. 12 in the final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of the season, and No. 13 in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll of the season. Tarleton State was ranked in both polls every single week of the 2024 campaign, from the preseason through the postseason. The Texans were just one of 11 teams nationwide to never leave the polls, joined by Idaho, Illinois State, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, UC Davis, UIW and Villanova. Tarleton State started 2024 7-1, with a six-game winning streak, their best start and their longest winning streak in the D1 era. The Texans finished second in the UAC. Across the board, Tarleton State was ranked No. 22 in total offense and they forced the tied-third most turnovers. Tarleton State had both the leading receiver (Darius Cooper at 1,450 yards) and the leading rusher (Kayvon Britten at 1,982) across all of the FCS.   Wagner served Texan Football as a graduate assistant in 2023 and a student assistant in 2022. In his first two years at Tarleton State, Wagner served as the main liaison between the offensive and defensive staffs, helping the offensive staff with in-depth opponent scouting reports, with major input on recruiting, plus much more.   "I want to thank Coach Whitten for this great opportunity, it has been a blessing to be a part of this program and I am ready to attack this new position," Wagner said at the time of his promotion to Director of Recruiting and Player Development. "We are truly building something special here at Tarleton State. I'm excited to keep building and to bring the best of the best here to Stephenville."   Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Wagner earned his undergrad in sport management from Tarleton State in 2023 and received his master's in sport administration in May 2024.