At a meeting in the Mabee Center on Monday, Coby Gipson was introduced as the new Head Football Coach at Howard Payne University. Gipson comes to Howard Payne from Lamar University, where he has served as an assistant coach for five years. Prior to that he coached at the high school level, at East Texas Baptist University, and as an assistant coach, Offensive Coordinator, at Howard Payne in 2017/2018. His wife Dr. Christy Gipson is an Assistant Professor at the UT-Tyler Nursing School, and the couple have three children.
Howard Payne University President Dr. Cory Hines led the introduction. “Today is a great day to be a Yellow Jacket. I am so thrilled that he (Gipson) is here. He was here in 2017/2018 and did a wonderful job leading in a variety of capacities. And now we get to bring him back to lead our football program. I am so thrilled.”
Athletic Director Dr. Hunter Sims followed. “Dr. Hines always challenges us as to who we want to have and join our team. There were three things that we wanted: (1) Someone who was committed to their faith; (2) Someone who will pass on the leadership qualities of the five core values of Howard Payne University; and (3) Specifically a dynamic recruiter. And you (Gipson) meet all those marks. You are going to help us holistically build Howard Payne, not just in the football program, but the imprint you will have on the institution. We know and believe he is the right fit for us.”
When Gipson spoke, he said that his mother and father met at Howard Payne and both graduated from Howard Payne, so he is very proud to be here. “I always wanted to know that the mission of the school matched our family’s values. And there cannot be a better fit than HPU. We are committed to running a football program here that mirrors the mission of the school… The football program should be a reflection of the University and I look forward to helping student-athletes meet their goals in the classroom, on the field, and most importantly in spiritual development.”
The first step, Gipson said, will be recruiting. “We are going to bring more elite players into this building. We are going to build that through relentless recruiting of high school football players.” Asked to describe his style of football, Gipson said “We’re going to be a fast-paced, high-tempo offense. We’re going to be a defense that is very aggressive: get after the quarterback, create turnovers. On special teams we are going to try to block every punt, and swing the momentum that way. You’re going to see a team fly around and be fun to watch.”
Gipson summarized his upcoming football program at Howard Payne: “Spiritual development, academic excellence, and putting champions on the football field. That’s what we are going to be about.”
