Feldt Takes Over For The Retiring Gary Gaines At Permian

By Michael Wright
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Updated: January 27, 2013

2012 Coaching Change: Odessa Permian Panthers

Old Head Coach: Gary Gaines -- Retires after leading the Panthers to a 23-21 record over the past 4 seasons. This was his 2nd head coaching stay at Permian having coached them from 1986-1989 going 46-7-1 and winning the state championship in 1989. He began his coaching career at Petersburg. He was also head coach at Denver City (1978-1979, 7-13), Amarillo Tascosa (1982 3-6), Monahans (1983-1985 24-7), Permian, Abilene (1994-1995 4-15) and San Angelo Central (1996-1999 14-28). He was also the linebacker coach at Texas Tech (1990-1993), Head coach at Abilene Christian (2000–2004), athletic director at ECISD (2005-2006), Athletic Directory at Lubbock ISD (2007-2008). Gaines was a quarterback at Angelo State from 1968–1970 during his college playing days. He was the head coach of the 1988 Permian football team which was the focus of the H. G. Bissinger book Friday Night Lights. He ends his career with a record of 127-97-5. That places him in the Top 300 for all-time coaching wins.

New Head Coach: Blake Feldt -- From 4A Buda Hays Consolidated where he led the Rebels to a 18-6 record over the past 2 seasons. During that time he led them to back to back district titles for the first time in schools 45 year history. Before taking over at Buda Hays, he was the head coach at 3A Pilot Point for 6 years going 50-22-0 and won the Class 2A State Championship in 2009. He began his coaching career began as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas from 1987-88. He also was an assistant coach at Appalachian State, SMU and Midland. His first head coaching job was with Class 3A Breckenridge in 2000-2004 where his teams went 23-29-0. He has an overall record of 91-57-0. That places him in the Top 425 for all-time coaching wins. He is accustomed to replacing legendary coaches. He took over at Pilot Point when G.A. Moore (the all-time leading coaching wins leader) left in 2004 and for Bob Shelton (#8 in all-time coaching wins) in 2011. He is a Midland High and Texas Tech alum.

Team News: The Panthers have won 24 district championships and 6 state championships since beginning varstiy play in 1959. Their 11 state championship appearances ties them for the most in state history.

Coaching changes for 2013.

by Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com