Wayland Baptist University Men's Football

Wayland Baptist defensive coordinator Marcos Hinojos (Ee-NO-ho¯s) was named head football coach of the Pioneers on Feb. 2, 2023. “I believe Coach Hinojos will do a fantastic job. I’m very pleased with where he wants to take the football program, both on the field and in the classroom. Change begins with how a student-athlete thinks. This philosophy is very much in line with the mission of the university,” Wayland Baptist Director of Athletics Jim Giacomazzi said. Hinojos has coached at Wayland since 2015, first as linebackers coach before being elevated to defensive coordinator. He has served as interim head coach since Butch Henderson resigned in late November. “I am a believer in the Wayland way and I believe we have a world-class administration, athletic department and student body,” Hinojos said. “I want to bring the football program into a higher level of respect on our campus, our community and in our conference, and I want to continue to impact the lives of young men through the game of football and my faith in God. “My hope is that our program be family-driven, Christ-centered and driven by a pursuit of higher education. We will encourage ‘One Family, One Team’ so we can develop well-rounded student-athletes by encouraging participation in WBU student life and that our program lead the way in developing and nurturing healthy coach/faculty relationships. This is all to increase the chance of success in ministering to student-athletes that come to our campus.” Giacomazzi said Hinojos was selected after a national search that resulted in more than 60 applicants and included Giacomazzi attending a coaching convention in Charlotte, N.C., where he interviewed a number of applicants. “It was a very difficult process. We had numerous applicants with fantastic references,” Giacomazzi said. In the end, though, he said Hinojos emerged “as the clear choice.” “To see what Marcos has done with the program since November has been impressive,” Giacomazzi said. “I feel he’s changing the direction and changing the culture of the program.” A 1986 graduate of Lorenzo High School, Hinojos was a middle linebacker at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M., from 1986-91. He spent 23 years as a defensive coordinator at Lubbock Coronado, Wichita Falls Rider, Plainview, Kermit and Fort Stockton high schools, and an offensive coordinator at Lorenzo High School. He also served as athletics director and head football coach for four years at Plainview High prior to coming to Wayland. Hinojos’ defenses have been considered among the toughest in the Sooner Athletic Conference, producing numerous all-conference selections and league-leading tacklers, including linebacker Casey Buck last season. “I would like to see Wayland Baptist football become a source of pride for the community of Plainview, Wayland alum, the campus as a whole and the entire West Texas/South Plains/Panhandle area,” Hinojos said. Hinojos and wife Jessica, a second grade bilingual teacher at Plainview North Elementary School, are members of College Heights Baptist Church. The couple has three children, all of whom were student-athletes at Wayland. Jacob and Marcos Jr., played football and Alexa recently completed her final season as a Pioneer volleyball player. Marcos Jr., is on the WBU coaching staff. Hinojos will be just the second person to lead the Pioneers on the field after Henderson headed the program the previous 11 seasons, since Wayland restarted its football program in 2012 after a 72-year hiatus. “I want to thank my wife and my family as well as the administration for believing in my vision for Wayland football,” Hinojos said. “Go ’Neers!”

Denzel Bradford is entering his fourth year as the Defensive Line coach and Video Coordinator at Wayland. He graduated from Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Tx. After graduation he attended University of Tulsa before transferring to McMurry University to play football. He later transferred to Wayland where he would play 4 years for the Pioneers including the breakout 2016 season. He was a CSFL Unanimous First-Team All-Conference selection in 2017. He would go on to receive his Bachelors of Applied Science degree in 2019. In 2020, he became a Graduate Assistant for the Pioneers helping out with the Defensive Line. Then later being hired on staff as the Defensive Line coach in 2021.

Thomas Walser is entering his second year as the Co-Defensive Coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator for the Pioneers.  He coaches the Defensive Backs and is also the Head of Strength & Conditioning for the Pioneer Football Program.   He graduated from Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, Texas.  After high school he went on to West Texas A&M University to play Linebacker for the football program and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Education.  Later he earned his Master of Science Degree in Sports Administration from Eastern New Mexico University.  He started his coaching career at Fannin Middle School in Amarillo, TX in 2009, gaining 3 years’ experience before moving up to the high school level.  He went on to coach at Caprock High School as a varsity football assistant for the Defensive Backs.  Coach Walser then moved to Lubbock and took over as Coronado High School’s Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach in football.  Four years later he became the Defensive Coordinator and Head of Strength & Conditioning for Lovington High School in Lovington, NM winning back-to-back State Championships in his final two years there.  He then moved to Holdenville, OK to become the Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Coordinator at the High School.  Coach Walser is married and has two beautiful daughters and a son.  His wife, Melissa, is a Middle School teacher at Plainview Junior High.  His oldest daughter, Gracie, is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree here at WBU.  His youngest daughter, Ella, Plainview Intermediate as a 5th grader.  His son, Declan attends Plainview Central Elementary in the 2nd grade. OFOT

Coach Escobar brings over a decade of collegiate and high school coaching experience with a proven track record of offensive production and player development. A former wide receiver at Sul Ross State University from 2011–2014, he earned a B.A. in English Language Arts before continuing his coaching journey as a Graduate Assistant at his alma mater from 2015–2016, working with running backs and tight ends. During that time, he also earned his M.S. in Health and Human Performance. In 2016, Coach Escobar stepped into the high school ranks as Co-Offensive Coordinator and QBs/RBs coach at Fabens High School. He returned to the college game in 2017 at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, serving first as Pass Game Coordinator and QBs/WRs coach, then as Offensive Coordinator and QBs coach from 2018 to 2022. Under his leadership, the Aggies’ offense achieved multiple milestones, including statistical improvements in passing efficiency, red zone scoring, and total yards per game. Coach Escobar returned to Sul Ross State in 2023 as Offensive Coordinator and WRs coach, where he guided the Lobos’ offense to notable success over a two-year span, as well as guided their Offense into Sul Ross State University inaugural season as a Division II member of the Lone Star Conference. In 2025, he joined the coaching staff at Wayland Baptist University as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. He is married to Rita, and together they have two children: Daughter, Hendrix (6) and Son, Axel (1).

Marcos Hinojos Jr is entering his 8th year as a member of the WBU Football coaching staff. Hinojos currently serves as the Offensive Line coach and Recruiting Coordinator.  Hinojos Jr graduated from Plainview HS in Plainview, Texas. After HS, Hinojos Jr spent two years at Eastern New Mexico University as part of the Greyhound football program before transferring to Wayland Baptist, where he played for the Pioneers and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Education. Later he earned his Master’s degree in Sports Administration from Wayland Baptist.  Hinojos Jr started his coaching career at Wayland Baptist as a student assistant in 2017 before being promoted to graduate assistant in 2018. Hinojos Jr was promoted again in 2020 as a defensive assistant coach, before becoming the Defensive Coordinator in 2023. Hinojos Jr is Married and has two beautiful daughters. His wife, Sayra Cardiel Hinojos, is a Tax Accountant at Eide Bailly LLP. His oldest daughter, Adaly Cardiel is a 7th grader at Plainview Junior High. His youngest Daughter was born on April 10th 2023.