Irion County's Coffell Steps Back in as Head Football Coach

MERTZON, TX — Irion County’s Don Coffell has decided to again serve as his school’s head football coach.

Irion County ISD announced Wednesday that Coffell will be returning to the role he held down from 2019 to 2022, when he led the Hornets to a combined record of 36-9.

His tenure was highlighted by a 12-1 season in 2022 when Irion County reached the state semifinals for the first time in program history.

On Thursday, Coffell discussed his reason for returning to coaching football.

"It's as simple as I love kids, I love Irion County and I love coaching," Coffell said. "It's in my blood. There's no complicated answer. I love coaching and I love kids. It's my passion and what I love to do."

Coffell announced his retirement near the end of the 2022-23 school year, but he didn’t stay away for long.

He returned to coach Irion County’s girls basketball team in 2024 and has guided the team to back-to-back successful seasons.

The Lady Hornets are a combined 57-13 the last two seasons with a trip to the regional final in 2025 and the regional semifinals this year.

Irion County ISD stated that Coffell would continue coaching girls basketball next school year.

Irion County’s football team has struggled recently, missing the playoffs the last two seasons while competing in one of the state’s most difficult districts.

The Hornets were recently realigned for the next two school years into another strong district with Water Valley, Sterling City, Menard, Eden and Veribest.

"If you're a coach, you love challenges," Coffell said. "And I'm absolutely looking forward to the challenge and working with these young men."