High school football coaches often come and go — it’s the nature of the profession.
But across the Dallas-Forth Worth area, several coaches have spent many years with one program. Here are some of the longest-tenured coaches in North Texas.
Randy Allen, Highland Park
Allen, who led Highland Park to the 5A Division I state title game in 2024, took over as the program’s head coach in 1999. He has led Highland Park to four state titles, winning his first with the school in 2005 and three straight from 2016 through 2018. The coach has 460 career wins, 30 shy of the all-time state record in Texas. After falling to Comal Smithson Valley in the 5A Division I state championship game last season, Allen, 74, was asked how much longer he wants to coach.
“I’m anxious to start next year,” Allen said in response. “It’s so enjoyable what I do, and I love these guys. They are fun to coach. I’m planning on coaching.”
Richard Barrett, Kennedale
Since taking over as Kennedale’s football coach in 2001, Barrett has never missed the playoffs during his tenure. He has 260 career wins, according to Texashighschoolfootballhistory.com and has spent 30 years as a UIL head coach. Barrett, who boasts 27 playoff appearances and 17 district championships throughout his career, led Kennedale to a 7-0 district record in 2023.
Mark Behrens, Sachse
Sachse won two straight district titles under Behrens in 2023 and 2024. He has been the head football coach at the school since it opened in 2002. Behrens led Sachse to five district championships from 2013 to 2019. He has coached several elite talents, with five-star Texas wide receiver Kaliq Lockett being one of the most recent.
Brandon Hickman, Jesuit
The ninth head coach in program history, Hickman took over at Jesuit in 2011. But he first arrived at the private school in 2001, coaching the offensive line and serving as the team’s strength and conditioning coach, before leaving to coach at other programs. Under Hickman, Jesuit has qualified for the playoffs 13 times since 2011. He led Jesuit to the regional finals in 2019.
Scott Peach, Arlington
Peach took over at Arlington High in 2002 and boasts 18 playoff appearances. He became the winningest coach in program history in October 2022 after achieving 129 wins. Arlington went 7-4 last season and finished 5-2 in District 8-6A play.
Todd Rodgers, Argyle
Rodgers has led Argyle to the 5A Division II state semifinals twice since 2022, with the most recent appearance coming last season. Argyle won state championships in 2013 in 2020 under Rodgers, who took over the program in 2003. He boasts 257 career wins, 15 district championships and 21 playoff appearances.
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