|
| Howard Payne news conference |
Howard Payne announced the hiring of Coby Gipson as the Yellow Jackets' new head football coach. Gipson is no stranger to Howard Payne serving as the Yellow Jackets' assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
He replaces Kevin Bachtel, who coached the team to a 7-12 record over the past two seasons. Howard Payne was 1-8 in games which count in 2024.
"The Gipson family is excited to return to Brownwood and Howard Payne University!" said Gipson. "What started with attending HPU Homecoming as a kid has come full circle today in accepting the position as head football coach."
Gipson's parents met at Howard Payne in 1971 and were married in the summer of 1972 after his father graduated from Howard Payne.
"I am thrilled to welcome Coach Gipson, Christy and their three children to the Howard Payne family," said Cory Hines, HPU president. "We are excited to have a coach of his quality leading our Yellow Jacket football program from a Christ-centered foundation and a commitment to excellence on the field and in the classroom."
Gipson spent the last five seasons as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at D-I Lamar, initially working with running backs and then receivers in his final three seasons with the Cardinals.
"We are excited to have someone with Coach Gipson's strong ability to grow leaders and coach football," said athletic director Hunter Sims. "Coach Gipson has high expectations of competitive excellence, and is committed to grow our student-athletes spiritually that perfectly aligns with Howard Payne University's core values."
Gipson has been a developer of winning football, building Bishop Gorman High School (Tyler, Texas) and Lamar into consistent winning programs. Lamar was 7-5 at the D-I FCS level last season.
"The vertical alignment necessary for campus-wide success is in place at HPU and I'm very excited to work with this administration and serve the Yellow Jacket Nation. The pillars of HPU football will mirror the mission of the University - we will run this race in such a way as to win the prize - on the field, in the classroom, and most importantly, providing an environment where spiritual growth is intentional inside the walls of the football facility," said Gipson.
Coach Gipson has been selected as a featured speaker at the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Convention, and a recruiting panelist, offensive Chalk Talk coordinator, and Buzz Session speaker at the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) convention.
Coach Gipson is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was named the Northeast Texas Influence Award winner and the Southeast Texas FCA Coach of the Year in 2023. Coby and his wife, Christy have also taught in the youth ministry program at First Baptist Beaumont.
Before Lamar, Gipson spent one season at East Texas Baptist University as the Tigers' defensive line and special teams coach.
Gipson came to Howard Payne in 2017 from the head coaching position at Bishop Gorman High School, where he built the program over five seasons into a two-time area finalist and state semifinalist. He also has coaching experience at Grace Community High School in Tyler, Texas, as an offensive coordinator and at Pine Tree High School in Longview, Texas.
Gipson is a graduate of LeTourneau University and received his master's degree from Concordia-Irvine. He and his wife Christy, a former ETBU All-American in softball, have one daughter, Camryn, and two sons, Connor and Casen.