Gene Mayfield

Background

Mayfield was born in Quitaque in Briscoe County in the lower Texas Panhandle to James Andrew Mayfield (1900–1993) and the former Irma Graves (1901–1984).

Education

He graduated from Quitaque High School and attended a year of college before he joined the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his Army discharge, Mayfield finished college on the G.I. Bill of Rights.

Career

In May 2005, Mayfield was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Fame. He played quarterback and received his bachelor"s and master"s degrees from West Texas Agricultural and Mechanical, then West Texas State University, at Canyon, south of Amarillo. Mayfield began his head coaching career at Littlefield in Lamb County until he moved in 1958 to Borger in Hutchinson County.

His 1962 Borger squad made the 4A state championship game, losing 26-30 to San Antonio Brackenridge.

In 1965, Mayfield assumed the head coaching duties at Permian High School in Odessa in Ector County, where he started the school"s winning tradition by beating San Antonio Lee 11-6 for the 1965 4A state championship. Mayfield led Odessa Permian to the state finals on two other occasions, in 1968 and 1970, losing each time to Austin Reagan.

In 1971, Mayfield succeeded legendary Joe East. Kerbel at his alma mater West Texas Agricultural and Mechanical. He had only mediocre success and left the university after the 1976 season with an overall record of 24-39-2. He retired from coaching in 1977 but returned in 1982 to coach at Levelland in Hockley County for six seasons.

Mayfield"s complete high school coaching record was 178-71-8 (7082%) In retirement, he was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer.

Mayfield died in Lubbock of complications from Alzheimer"s disease. According to his obituary, Mayfield"s "reserved and gentle nature delivered a calm and respectful manner when directing his players. Players and coaches through the years have shared with family members his ability to inspire and change their lives by leading them to meet their potential, which brought them success on the field and in their lives."

Interment preceded the services at Quitaque Cemetery.

Achievements

• Mayfield was only the fifth head coach in Texas" highest classification to win a state championship in his first year.