Texas high school football program mourning the loss of head coach

Trophy Club (Texas) Byron Nelson High School football coach Travis Pride has died unexpectedly at the age of 56, according to multiple reports.

According to DCTF.com, the Northwest Independent School District released the news of his passing on Wednesday afternoon.

“When I think of Travis Pride, I think of someone who supported student activity, from athletic programs to fine arts,” Northwest ISD athletic director Joel Johnson said in the district release. “Coach Pride lacked ego when came to the athletic programs at Byron Nelson. He wasn’t what you would picture as a head football coach, as he was an even-tempered leader who was a kid magnet. Students wanted to be around him, because he cared about them.”

Pride served as the program’s head coach for nine years, taking over in 2016. During that span, he led Nelson to a 64-42 record and turned them into one of the strongest contenders in Class 6A. That included a 13-1 campaign in 2023, where they made it to the state quarterfinals. Last season, he coached the Bobcats to a 9-2 record with their season ending at the hands of eventual state champion North Crowley.

During his final four seasons as head coach, Pride amassed a 43-10 record. Prior to his time in the Fort Worth suburbs, he was the head coach at Wichita Falls and Mansfield Summit, where he complied a 128-91 record.

Pride also served as an assistant coach under legendary figure Todd Dodge on Southlake Carroll’s state championship teams in 2004 and 2005.