Irving Tigers
Head Coach: Brent Nickerson (4th season; 3-27 record)
Last Season: 2-8; 1-6 in district
Returning Lettermen: 19 (6 returning starters on offense; 6 returning starters on defense)
Irving Key Players and Storylines
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Irving head coach Brent Nickerson would be the first to tell you that, but he is also confident his Irving Tigers are headed in the right direction. They’ve improved their win total in each of the past two seasons, and most importantly, buy-in and work ethic continue to improve “significantly.”
Another step forward in the win column is within reach for 2026 with six returning starters on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the Tigers have several key players back at the skill positions. Running back Jayson Evans (205 rushing yards, 108 receiving yards) brings some pop out of the backfield. Receiver/running back Napoleon Proctor has plenty of experience as a four-year letterman, while Kamari Dove (194 receiving yards, 33 tackles) is a two-way standout for the Tigers as a receiver and cornerback.
head coach-@_BNick @DeralMillerFB @_CoachGregg @gnduff@coachkeithallen @CoachZ_SU @FBCoach_P @CoachLennox_ @darrickware @Coach_RGlover @CoachTrice8 @CoachYoung41
@TheGodfather_O @CoachRambo1@Coach_Lrob @TxWesFootball pic.twitter.com/rnz93DKIDh— Jayson Evans (@iamJaysonEvans) January 21, 2026
Defensively, Erick Alvarez, who started on the offensive line last year, will be Irving’s motor in the trenches.
Now, all six of Irving’s district losses came by 37 points or more last year, so Nickerson knows his guys still need to gain experience in high-pressure moments.
Away from the scoreboard, though, the culture he envisioned is taking hold. Nickerson hopes the stability of four years under the same leadership will continue to pay dividends as Irving hopes to “take another step towards becoming a playoff-caliber team.”
2026 Schedule
*-Denotes District 8-6A contest
Friday August 28 @ Corsicana at Tiger Stadium 7:00
Friday September 4 @ Denton at Collins Stadium 7:00
Friday September 11 vs. Granbury at Joy and Ralph Ellis Stadium 7:00
*Friday September 25 @ Trinity at Pennington Field 7:00
*Friday October 2 vs. Irving MacArthur at Joy and Ralph Ellis Stadium 7:00
*Thursday October 8 vs. South Grand Prairie at Joy and Ralph Ellis Stadium 7:00
*Friday October 16 @ LD Bell at Pennington Field 7:00
*Thursday October 22 vs. Haltom at Joy and Ralph Ellis Stadium 7:00
*Friday October 30 @ Grand Prairie at The Gopher Bowl 7:00
*Friday November 6 vs. Irving Nimtiz at Joy and Ralph Ellis Stadium 7:00
