Former Tyler Lee Head Football Coach Mike Owens, who led the former Robert E. Lee (REL) football team to the 2004 Class 5A Division I State Football Championship and is the winningest coach in program history, passed away on Monday night, December 9. Owens was 73 years old.
“On behalf of the Tyler ISD administration and Board of Trustees, while we hurt for the family in Coach Owens’ passing, we are honored to have been a part of filling his heart with the naming of the fieldhouse so that he could enjoy the honor before his passing,” Tyler ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marty Crawford said. “I will never forget the heartfelt gratitude Coach showed when the Coach Mike Owens Fieldhouse was dedicated this past summer. The humility he showed toward deflecting the honor to those he worked with and the students he served is a trait that all leaders should portray.”
Owens took the reins in 1996 of a Red Raider football program that had only made four playoff appearances in the school's history and turned them into a consistent winner. His REL squad would make the playoffs in eight straight seasons from 1997-2004, capping off with a state title, beating Spring Westfield 28-21 in 2004. During his tenure, Owens would also reach three regional finals and two state semifinals. His final record at the school was 111-69, which included making the playoffs in 13 of his 15 seasons.
“Mike not only won games, but he also won the hearts of the kids that played for him and the coaches who worked with him,” former Tyler ISD Athletic Director Danny Long said. “I became a better man because of his friendship.”
He helped coach several dozen players into the collegiate level, as well as coaching multiple players who would go on to play in the National Football League, including the likes of Matt Flynn and Brandon Pettigrew.
“Some of Tyler ISD’s, and East Texas' most iconic leaders in public education, over its history, have passed away during the decade-plus I have had the pleasure of serving as superintendent in this great city and region,” Dr. Crawford said. “I have been blessed to have known many of them or their families and consider Coach Owens a part of that group.”
Coach Owens began his head coaching career in 1982 at Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas. He led the Yellowjackets to five playoff appearances in 14 seasons before accepting the job at REL.
For more information, contact Reese Lannon at Reese.Lannon@TylerISD.org.