Multiple sources have confirmed to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football that Stephen Lee will return to Mary Hardin-Baylor as offensive coordinator. Lee’s first stint at UMHB was highly successful, with the Crusaders winning three Stagg Bowls during his seven seasons in Belton. He was named a finalist for Football Scoop Coach of the Year twice with the Cru.

Lee spent the 2024 season as the tight ends coach at Tarleton. He helped lead the Texans to their first FCS playoff appearance in their first season of eligibility since transitioning to NCAA Division I. The Texans defeated Drake in the first round before falling at South Dakota in the second round.

Before arriving in Stephenville, Lee elevated the Cisco program during his lone season as head coach. The Wranglers finished 4-4 in 2023, including a 3-4 record in the challenging Southwest Junior College Football Conference.

2025 will mark the 30th season of coaching football for Lee, who left UMHB to become the offensive coordinator at Abilene Christian in 2022. Before arriving at UMHB in 2015, Lee was the offensive coordinator at West Texas A&M for five seasons. The Buffs set the NCAA Division II record for single-season passing yards (5,544), leading the country in passing touchdowns (57) in 2013.

Lee’s coaching career began in Texas High School football, where he was head coach and athletic director at Irion County High School. His first collegiate stop was at Western New Mexico in 1999 before spending five seasons at Howard Payne. Lee was an assistant coach at Brenham High School under Glen West for six seasons before joining WT.