The Tarleton State Texans football program, also known as the Tarleton Texans, is the intercollegiate American football team for Tarleton State University located in the U.S. state of Texas. Through the 2019 season, the team competed in NCAA Division II as members of the Lone Star Conference, but moved to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) beginning in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. In fall 2021, Tarleton's full-time home of the Western Athletic Conference revived its football league at the FCS level, with Tarleton as one of the inaugural members.
The WAC and the ASUN Conference entered into a football-only partnership in the 2021 season, renewing it for 2022. Shortly after the 2022 season, the two conferences fully merged their football leagues into what eventually became the United Athletic Conference, with Tarleton as one of the new league's nine inaugural members.
Tarleton's first football team was fielded in 1904. The team plays its home games at the 24,000-seat Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas. The Texans are coached by Todd Whitten.
History
Championships Conference championships 1977 Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association Buddy Fornes 7–4 4–0 1978 8–1–1 7–0–1 1986 Bill Pringle 9–1–1 6–0 1987 9–3–1 6–0 1989 Hal McAfee 9–3 8–2 1990 11–1 6–0 2001† Lone Star Conference Todd Whitten 10–3 8–1 2009† Sam McElroy 10–3 7–2 2013† Cary Fowler 7–3 5–1 2018 Todd Whitten 12–1 8–0 2019 11–1 8–0 2025† United Athletic Conference (football) 7–1 † Denotes co-champions
Division championships 2001† LSC South Todd Whitten 10–3 8–1 2002 LSC North 9–2 6–2 2003 8–4 6–2 2006† LSC South Sam McElroy 6–4 6–3 2009† 10–3 7–2 † Co-championship
Playoff appearances NCAA Division I FCS The Texans have made two appearances in the Division I FCS playoffs, with an overall record of 2–2.
2024First RoundSecond RoundDrakeSouth DakotaW, 43–29L, 31–422025Second RoundQuarterfinalsNorth DakotaVillanovaW, 31–13L, 21–26
NCAA Division II The Texans made five appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with an overall record of 4–5. 2001 First RoundQuarterfinals Chadron StateUC Davis W, 28–24L, 25–422003 First Round Texas A&M–Kingsville L, 10–342009 First RoundSecond Round Texas A&M–KingsvilleCentral Washington W, 57–56 2OTL, 6–272018 First RoundSecond RoundQuarterfinals Azusa PacificTexas A&M–CommerceMinnesota State W, 58–0W, 34–28L, 10–132019First RoundTexas A&M–CommerceL, 16–23
NAIA Tarleton State made four appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 3–4.
1978 Quarterfinals Findlay L, 6–13 1987 First RoundQuarterfinals Bethany (KS)Baker (KS) W, 38–26L, 12–13 1989 First RoundQuarterfinals St. Mary of the PlainsWestminster (PA) W, 16–6L, 0–34 1990 First RoundQuarterfinals St. Mary of the PlainsWestminster (PA) W, 24–14L, 17–19
Notable former players
Notable alumni include:
Richard Bartel, QB: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Sacramento Mountain Lions, Arizona Cardinals. 2007-2012. Offensive coordinator: Atlanta Legends. 2019.
Marv Brown, HB: Detroit Lions. 1957.
Walter Bryan, DB: Baltimore Colts. 1955.
James Dearth, LS: Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots. 1999-2011.
Saalim Hakim, WR: New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs. 2012-2015.
Rufus Johnson, DE: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders. 2013-2017.
Garrett Lindholm, K: Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Milwaukee Mustangs, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Rattlers, San Antonio Talons, New Orleans VooDoo, Orlando Predators, Los Angeles KISS. 2010-2016.
Tywain Myles, DT: Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons. 2008-2009.
Deshaun Phillips, CB: Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Renegades. 2014–Present.
Derrick Ross, FB: Kansas City Chiefs, Cologne Centurions, Montreal Alouettes, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, San Angelo Stampede Express, Dallas Vigilantes, Philadelphia Soul, Los Angeles KISS, Las Vegas Outlaws, Jacksonville Sharks. 2006-2017.
E.J. Speed, LB: Indianapolis Colts. 2019–Present.
Nick Stephens, QB: Tennessee Titans, Utah Blaze, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, San Jose SaberCats. 2012-2014.
Camp Wilson, FB: Detroit Lions. 1946-1949.
Randy Winkler, OT: Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers. 1968-1971.
Koe Wetzel, LB: American singer/songwriter
Future non-conference opponents Announced schedules as of March 9, 2026.
Prairie View A&M at North Texas at Bowling Green McNeese at McNeese at Prairie View A&M Merrimack Chicago State
Notes
References
External links