Three decades ago, Sam Harrell was named the head coach of Ennis Football. Now, he is leaving the program as a Texas high school football legend.
Coach Harrell will retire from his head coaching position at Ennis immediately due to health complications from reoccurring multiple sclerosis.
His decision was announced by a press release sent by Ennis ISD.
“Coach Sam Harrell has done an outstanding job leading the Ennis Lions Football Program for many years,” Ennis ISD Superintendent Jay Tullos said in the statement. “Under his guidance, our program has a positive reputation for success and high standards across the state of Texas. Coach Harrell is not only a great coach but is equally a great person who has been a role model for our students and staff. We can never thank him enough for all he has done for Ennis ISD and wish him the best in a well-deserved retirement.”
Previously, coach Harrell left the school in 2009 after developing multiple sclerosis. While seeking treatment, he experimented with stem cells extracted from donated umbilical cords at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama. For the short term, the procedure worked, and coach Harrell returned to coaching as an offensive coordinator, helping Fort Worth Christian win a state championship. He also served as OC for Southwestern Assemblies of God University.
In 2018, coach Harrell returned to his head coach duty, replacing fellow Ennis state champion (2014) coach Jack Alvarez, who left the district that year for another job.
Overall, coach Harrell led the Lions for 23 seasons, posting 239 career wins and claiming three state championships (2000, 2001, 2004). He is also a THSCA Hall of Honor member and a Texas High School Football Hall of Famer.
“In every coach’s life, there comes a time to turn in the whistle and pass the baton,” coach Harrell said in the statement. “Well for me that time has surprisingly happened twice, both times while at Ennis HS and both times because of MS. If I could, I would coach another five or ten years, but it’s time for me to turn these good kids over to someone who is healthier. I never wanted to do anything but coach, so these 40-plus years of coaching have been so very special to me.”
Coach Harrell will be celebrated during Ennis pregame tonight.
You can read Ennis ISD’s complete press release here.
