The Byron Nelson High School community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of head football coach and athletic coordinator Travis Pride, who passed away unexpectedly this week. He was 56.
The news was announced on Wednesday evening in a letter from Principal Kara Lea Deardorff, who spoke with deep admiration and emotion about the man many students, families, and staff members respected. “For nearly a decade, Coach Pride has made a positive difference in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of students on our campus,” she wrote. “While he led the football program, Coach Pride’s impact extended well beyond athletics. I will remember him more for the engaging and supportive culture he cultivated.”
Coach Pride had served as the Bobcats’ head coach since 2016, compiling a 60–45 record and guiding the team to heights the program had never seen before. Byron Nelson’s 2023 season was a landmark—going 13-1, claiming the District 4-6A championship, and reaching the regional finals. In 2024, they followed that up with a 9–2 record and a playoff run that ended against eventual state champion North Crowley.
But Coach Pride’s legacy can’t be measured in wins and losses.
“When I think of Travis Pride, I think of someone who supported student activity, from athletic programs to fine arts,” said Northwest ISD Executive Director of Athletics Joel Johnson. “He wasn’t what you would picture as a head football coach. He was even-tempered, humble, and students were drawn to him. He cared deeply about the kids.”
Before his time at Byron Nelson, Pride served as head coach at Wichita Falls (2006–2008) and Mansfield Summit (2009–2015), amassing a career record of 128–91. He also played a part in multiple state title teams as an assistant at Southlake Carroll in the early 2000s.
Over the last three seasons, Pride led Byron Nelson to a combined 32–6 record, making the Bobcats one of the top Class 6A programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Yet even as the wins piled up, those who knew him best say what truly set him apart was his character.
“Coach Pride was as good as gold,” said Flower Mound Marcus head coach Mike Alexander. “He was a good man, and my heart hurts for his family and the kids at Byron.”
Northwest ISD is offering counseling services to help students and staff process this sudden loss. Counselors will be available at the school and will continue offering support in the coming days.
As Principal Deardorff shared, “Please keep the Pride family in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve this tremendous loss. We will continue to uplift them and share details as the family deems appropriate.”
Coach Travis Pride’s impact will be felt for years to come, not just in the record books, but in the lives of the young people he guided with care, respect, and a steady heart.
Colt Pride, the son of Coach Travis Pride, shared this on X:
