Top Five Most Intriguing 2025 TXHSFB Head Coach Hires

Nick Codutti, Klein Bearkats

The longest coaching stay Nick Codutti has had up to this point was at Tomball. While there, he saw up close that Klein was a sleeping giant. That’s why he’s made a bet on his career by moving on from Fulshear, which he led to at least 11 wins in the last three seasons. 

Codutti brought three quarters of his Fulshear staff and will line up in the same Double-tight Dead-T formation that produced Wyoming signee Patrick Broadway II (2,134 rushing yards in 2024). The offense prides itself on doing very little, but doing it very well. They’ll run wide zone and toss, and threw for 2,400 yards last season despite not having a true drop back in four years.

Codutti describes Edward Kelly Jr., who ran for over 1,700 yards last season, as one of the most talented running backs he’s ever coached. Kelly Jr. ran a laser-timed 4.28 40-yard dash at the Under Armour Camp this past weekend and has picked up offers from Pitt and UTSA since. He’ll run behind Texas Longhorns offensive line commit Nicolas Robertson.

Jeryl Brixey, Brownwood Lions

Brixey enters a storied Brownwood program emerging from a contentious coaching carousel. In a polarizing vote, Brownwood ISD did not extend alum Sammy Burnett’s contract despite a 51-31 overall record and reaching the regional finals in 2023, citing that the program needed a change of direction. Brownwood has eight state championships, but the last came in 1981.

Brixey has state championship pedigree himself. The offensive coordinator has been on Katy’s staff since 2012, winning three state championships (2012, 2015, 2020). His first Brownwood offense returns three first-team all-district selections in quarterback Judson Coalson, wide receiver Carson Noe and offensive lineman Aiden Packheiser. Can Brixey reclaim Brownwood’s spot as a perennial state championship contender, and unite the community in the process?

Chris Lancaster, Mart Panthers

Lancaster rebuilt Robinson’s football program with a 13-9 record and two playoff appearances through two seasons after the team had won a combined seven games in the previous three. How does he handle inheriting a juggernaut, and the increased expectations that come with it? Lancaster replaces the legendary Kevin Hoffman, who retired after leading Mart to six state championship games in 10 seasons. 

Lancaster served only as the head coach at Class 4A Robinson, and he’ll get to exert more influence on the 2A school as athletic director. 

Ricky Meeks, Henderson Lions 

The intriguing preseason storyline is Meeks coaching at the school where he and his father, the legendary Dickey Meeks, won the program’s only state title in 2010. 

But Meeks has assembled a staff that could make the Lions interesting come November. Defensive coordinator Thomas Sitton was a head coach at both Chapel Hill and Rusk, while linebackers coach Jason Holman was previously the head coach and athletic director at Jacksonville.

The staff will have their work cut out for them in the District 9-4A DI gauntlet. Kilgore (whom Henderson actually beat in the regular season) was in the state championship game last year, and Tyler Chapel Hill was two years ago. Longview Pine Tree went 10-2 last year. Lindale could be a sleeper team with one of the more talented defensive lines returning Kaleb Walker (20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks) and nose tackle Cam Beason.

David Beaty, Denton Broncos

Beaty is a big name splash hire for a long-struggling Denton program whose last winning season was in 2016. The good news: Beaty has experience coaching in challenging situations, having served as the Kansas head coach from 2015-18. He also served as a high school coach in the area at both North Dallas and Irving MacArthur from 2001-05.

But high school football, and the DFW area, has changed a lot since Beaty last roamed the sidelines at this level. How does he handle the new landscape?