Before the 2026 Texas High School Football season kicked off, Texas HS Football Editor in Chief KP Kelly sat down with Wink head football coach and athletic director Brian Gibson at the Hudl booth during the THSCA Coaching School and Convention.
At the time, Gibson was preparing for his 10th season leading the Wink Wildcats. He talked about the program’s consistency, its multi-sport philosophy and why he believed his team could make another postseason run.
Now the season has started, and Wink has already backed up some of that preseason optimism. The Wildcats opened with a 48-27 victory over Eunice, New Mexico, and entered Week 2 with a 1-0 record.
Gibson has spent his entire life in West Texas. After high school, he played college football at Sul Ross State before beginning a coaching career that has now reached 26 seasons.
He is also entering his 17th year serving as both a head football coach and athletic director. Before Wink, Gibson spent six seasons leading the Van Horn program.
Consistency Has Become Wink’s Identity
Wink has developed into one of the most consistent Class 2A Division II programs in West Texas.
The Wildcats entered 2026 ranked No. 8 in the state and riding four consecutive district championships. They have not lost a district game since 2021.
Gibson believes much of that success begins with continuity.
He told Kelly that Wink has been fortunate to keep many of the same coaches together. Several assistants have previous experience as athletic directors and head football coaches themselves.
That experience helps Gibson manage the demands of leading an entire athletic department while also running the football program.
More importantly, the message rarely changes.
Players hear the same expectations from coaches who have worked together for years. Gibson believes that stability extends beyond athletics and throughout Wink-Loving ISD.
“There’s not a whole lot of turnover,” Gibson explained during the interview.
That continuity has helped the Wildcats consistently reach the postseason. Wink finished 12-1 in 2022, 10-2 in 2023, 11-2 in 2024 and 9-3 last season.
However, Gibson does not want his players thinking only about records.
He said one of his greatest pleasures is simply watching Wink athletes compete at a high level.
Before the season, Gibson believed a healthy roster could give the Wildcats a legitimate opportunity deep into November and December.
His message was straightforward: give yourself a shot, then compete.
There Is No Offseason at Wink
Gibson does not particularly like the term “offseason.”
Instead, Wink encourages athletes to compete throughout the school year.
Football players move into basketball, powerlifting, track, baseball and even golf. Gibson believes those experiences make athletes more complete while building the competitive culture he wants throughout the department.
That philosophy also reflects the reality of small-school athletics.
Wink needs many of its best athletes competing in multiple sports. Gibson and his staff try to create an environment where athletes do not feel forced to choose one program over another.
During the summer, players also balance workouts with jobs and other responsibilities.
Gibson views that as part of their development.
He wants football players getting stronger and preparing for August. However, he also wants them learning responsibility away from the field and experiencing life outside football.
That perspective carries into his expectations for film study.
Gibson joked that coaches would love players to watch as much game film as they watch TikTok. Still, he understands that athletics represents only one part of a high school student’s life.
The goal is to give players the tools and teach them how to use those tools effectively.
How Hudl Changed Coaching for Gibson
Few areas of Texas High School Football have changed more during Gibson’s career than film study.
When he entered coaching, teams still exchanged VHS tapes. The progression eventually moved through MiniDV, digital video and other formats before platforms such as Hudl dramatically changed the process.
For Gibson, that change became personal.
Both of his sons played college football. Friday nights sometimes meant Gibson finished coaching Wink and immediately traveled to watch one of his sons play.
Previously, that could have created a major problem for game preparation.
Today, Gibson can watch Wink film while traveling, sitting in an airport or flying to another game. When the staff meets again, he can already be prepared.
He believes that flexibility has improved coaches’ ability to balance football with their families.
However, Gibson also warned that more information does not automatically create better preparation.
Modern coaching staffs have enormous amounts of film and data available. Gibson believes coaches need to identify what actually applies to their system instead of disappearing down endless analytical rabbit holes.
Hudl has also become important throughout Wink athletics.
Volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball use the platform. Gibson said that has helped streamline how the athletic department handles video.
One development particularly important to him has been automated filming.
Small schools do not always have someone available to film every game from the press box. Gibson had discussed that challenge with Hudl for years.
Now, automated camera technology allows Wink to create consistent video at home and on the road while also making livestreaming easier.
Film Study Goes Beyond the Skill Positions
Gibson also believes players benefit when they take ownership of film study.
Wink students have access to Chromebooks, phones and other devices that make video readily available. Players can review opponents from almost anywhere.
The athletes Gibson counts on most usually take advantage.
Film becomes especially valuable when players begin recognizing details without waiting for coaches to point them out.
That includes positions that rarely receive attention.
Offensive linemen can study fronts, defensive alignment and tendencies. Defensive players can learn formations and recognize what an offense might do before the snap.
Ultimately, Gibson wants players prepared to solve problems on the field.
Football changes quickly. An opponent may show something completely different from what appeared on film.
Understanding the entire picture gives players a better chance to adjust without waiting for a new play call.
Gibson’s Four Downs
The conversation finished with Texas HS Football’s Four Downs questions.
Gibson’s postgame fast-food choice was an easy one: Whataburger.
His favorite football movie is The Program, while he named Iraan as one of the toughest road environments he has experienced.
For his favorite football player, Gibson chose former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek.
There was a personal reason behind that answer. Gibson played tight end himself and tried to model parts of his game after Novacek.
Still, Gibson’s final answer returned to the theme that has defined Wink under his leadership.
He was most excited about watching his players compete.
After nine seasons of seeing Wildcats teams consistently play meaningful football, Gibson entered Year 10 believing another opportunity was there.
The season is now underway.
Wink has its first victory, and Gibson’s Wildcats have begun another attempt to turn consistency into a deep December run.
