Jim Ned head coach Matt Fanning is departing the Indians after six seasons as head coach to join Jesse Burleson’s staff at Hardin-Simmons, sources have confirmed to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Fanning will serve as tight ends coach.

Fanning led the Indians to the only state championship in school history with a thrilling 29-28 victory over Halletsville in the 2020 Class 3A Division I state title contest. Fanning arrived at Jim Ned in 2017 and served one season as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach before being promoted to head coach to replace Jerod Womack.

Fanning ends his tenure in Tuscola with a 58-16 overall record with the Indians, with four district titles and playoff appearances in all six campaigns. Before joining Jim Ned, Fanning spent 12 years in his hometown of Era, including the final seven seasons as head football coach and athletic director.

Hardin-Simmons head coach Jesse Burleson is replacing multiple assistants during the offseason after defensive coordinator Zach Wilkerson and cornerbacks coach Roosevelt Williams left to join Jason Bachtel’s staff at Houston Christian.

The Cowboys enter the 2024 season as defending American Southwest Conference champions for the first time since 2015. HSU earned its first outright conference title since 2004 before falling to Trinity in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.