Briles to enter Texas High School Football Hall of Fame

When head football coach Art Briles was hired last fall, much was made of his ability to turn around programs, going all the way back to his days in the high school ranks. Friday, the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame announced that Briles will be inducted into the Hall this May as part of the Class of 2008.

When Briles took over as head coach at Stephenville High School in 1988, the school had not reached the playoffs in over 35 years. In just his second year, Briles got the Yellowjackets into the playoffs; they would not miss the playoffs again during Briles’ 12-year run at Stephenville.

Even more impressive, Briles led the Yellowjackets to back-to-back state championships in 1993-94 and again in 1998-99. After that fourth state title, Briles left Stephenville, spending three years as an assistant at Texas Tech and then five years as head coach at the University of Houston before coming to Waco.

Sic ’em, Coach Briles!