MERTZON, TX — A familiar face returns to the sidelines for the Irion County Hornets, who are looking to get back on track this season in a tough district.
The Irion County Hornets welcome back head coach Don Coffell, who answered the call when asked.
“My athletic director called me in and said, ‘I have a big ask,'" Coffell said. “He said, 'Irion County football needs you.' In my heart, it was an immediate yes. But I had to do a lot of praying and visit with my wife, do all of that. My wife is the ultimate coach’s wife. She is a phenomenal woman who understands my passion and my love, and she 100% supports me in it."
Coffell isn’t new to Irion County and has coached girls basketball the last two seasons, leading them to the regional final and semifinals.
Before that, he was the head football coach. In his last season in 2022, he took the Hornets to the state semifinals.
The Hornets are going to need all the firepower they can get in a tough district with Menard, Water Valley and Sterling City, all of whom are state-ranked.
“It’s all about attitude and effort for us,” Coffell said. “I tell them if they have the right attitude and give the right effort, just maximum effort all the time, it doesn’t matter what happens in the wins and losses category. Each small little battle, they’re good with us. We get the opportunity as a coaching staff to make sure we back that up.”
Coffell and his team have already had their plate full of good teams in scrimmages as they’ve faced off against good programs like Robert Lee, Rankin, Rocksprings and Santa Anna. The Hornets are getting ready and have a great staff.
“Coach (John) Morrow put together a phenomenal coaching staff,” Coffell said. “Everyone has bought into the positivity. They have the right attitude. We don’t allow negativity to stick around.”
It still comes down to what happens on the field, and the Hornets are prepared this season to give it their all.
“We have a pretty good group of seniors — Luke Seahorn, Gatlin Carlile and Aaron Hamilton,” Coffell said. “Those guys were a big part of the program last year. J.J. Hernandez wasn’t but is now. The seniors are knocking it out. I’m very proud of them. We’ve also got the Martin twins, Colin and Colton, who are standouts, especially on defense. Rylan Wadsworth is also starting on defense and has come in and made a big difference.
"We’ve got kids who we might not have expected to step into a big role and have grown just in the first few weeks of football, and they're making a difference. Chandler Hill and Wesley Hamilton are sophomores who have stepped up. Hill is an incredible leader.”
Irion County will open its season on the road at 7 p.m. Friday at Buena Vista. The Hornets' home opener is Sept. 4 against Panther Creek.
Irion County Hornets
2026 schedule
Aug. 28 at Buena Vista
Sept. 4 Panther Creek
Sept. 11 at Sanderson
Sept. 18 Bronte
Sept. 25 at Rising Star
Oct. 2 OPEN
Oct. 9 Sterling City*
Oct. 16 Water Valley*
Oct. 23 at Veribest*
Oct. 30 Menard*
Nov 6 at Eden*
*District 8-1A Division I game
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