Howard Payne University has selected Argyle offensive coordinator  and alum Jason Bachtel as its new head football coach. The Division III program announced the news on Thursday. 

"My wife and I are excited to be back home," Bachtel said. "We look forward to the future of Howard Payne University and seeing how we can play a small but important role in the lives of the student-athletes at Howard Payne." 

Bachtel was named to the Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40 Under 40 list in 2019 after coordinating East Texas Baptist to one of the most productive offenses in college football. The Tigers posted nearly 500 yards of offense and 37 points per game in his tenure.

Bachtel graduated from Howard Payne in 2003. He spent the 2002 season as a student assistant under Vance Gibson at HPU as the team went 9-1 and ended the season ranked in the Division III football poll.

Most recently, Bachtel coordinated Argyle to the 4A Division I State Championship. His offenses averaged 48.1 points and 444.1 yards per game en route to an undefeated season. Argyle never railed and won games by 32.5 points per game. He previously coached at North Forney, Scurry-Rosser, Galena Park and Gatesville. 

"We believe Coach Bachtel embodies the perfect fit at HPU to lead the football program," athletic director Hunter Sims said. "He is a proven winner. We are ecstatic about the future of the Yellow Jacket football program as we welcome him back to HPU." 

Bachtel replaces Braxton Harris, who left the program to take an FCS assistant coaching job after three seasons. Harris led the Yellow Jackets to a 5-5 record, their best mark since 2006.