Head Coach

Coby Gipson
Head Football Coach

Coby Gipson took over the Howard Payne football program in February of 2025 but was no stranger to Howard Payne serving as the Yellow Jackets' assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.

Gipson came to HPU from D-I Lamar University where he served five seasons as Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, initially working with running backs and then receivers in his final three seasons with the Cardinals.

Following up on a year where he was named the 2022-2023 FCA Southeast Texas Coach of the Year, Gipson returned one of the top young receiving corps in the Southland, In 2024, Gipson coached All-Conference receiver Kyndon Fuselier and had two of the top eight in the conference.

Gipson came to Lamar after spending the 2019 campaign as the defensive line coach at East Texas Baptist University.

While at ETBU, Gipson helped the Tigers record their fifth-straight winning season. In 2019, Gipson’s defensive front set the tone for a unit that recorded 82 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Gipson produced two of the league’s more dominant players in 2019, a list that includes a first-team all-conference selection Anton Clark honored as one of the top linemen in the American Southwest Conference and James Wright IV.

Gipson joined the ETBU staff from Howard Payne where he spent two seasons as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.

During his time at HPU, Gipson's offense finished fifth in the American Southwest Conference in rushing yards per game in 2017 and set the HPU record for completions in a game with 39 in 2018.

Gipson joined the HPU coaching staff after spending the previous five years as the head coach at Bishop T.K. Gorman in Tyler. During his time at Bishop Gorman, Gipson guided the Crusaders to three straight playoff appearances. Bishop Gorman’s success included an area and regional championship to go along with the trip to the 2014 TAPPS State semifinals. Under Gipson’s direction, the Crusaders posted a 28-17 (.622) overall record, which was the program’s best four-year winning percentage in the team’s 60-year history.

During his time at Bishop Gorman, he coached 21 players that garnered all-state recognition, one Parade All-American receiver – Judah Bell – two District Defensive MVPs and a District MVP.

Before Bishop Gorman, Gipson served as the Offensive Coordinator at Grace Community High School in Tyler, Texas, where the Cougars made it to the state semifinals in 2011. There he was a part of a staff that was named TAPPS District 2 Coaching Staff of the Year in 2010 and 2011.

Gipson has also worked in football outside of the school setting, serving as the Head Coach of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl in 2016, Offensive Coordinator in 2011, and as the bowl game's assistant director from 2011-2016. In 2016-2017, he was honored with the Northeast Texas FCA Influence Award.

Gipson is a graduate of LeTourneau University and received his master’s degree from Concordia-Irvine. He and his wife Christy – Dr Christy Gipson, nursing professor at UT-Tyler – have three children, daughter, Camryn, and sons, Connor and Casen.

What other coaches say about Coby Gipson:

“Coby and I were on the staff together at ETBU.  Coby did a tremendous job with his position group.  In addition to this, his daily example of Christian servant leadership impacted all he encountered.  He is a perfect fit at HPU in my opinion.“

-Vance Gibson, Former HPU Head Coach

“Coby Gipson is one of the most well-respected coaches in the game. He’s a former Texas High School football coach, who has made his name as a relentless recruiter in the college game. Howard Payne Football got a great one!”

-Colby Carthel, Head Coach Stephen F. Austin State University

“Coby has been an integral part of the resurgence of Lamar Football.  He is a top-notch recruiter, an excellent football coach, and a terrific Christian man.  Howard Payne got a great one.  We wish Coby and his family well.”

-Pete Rossomando, Head Coach Lamar University

“Coby operates with the utmost character and integrity and truly cares about people. I believe his experience helping Lamar turn their program around will be invaluable as he leads HPU.”

-Josh McCown, QB Coach Minnesota Vikings

“I’ve gotten to know Coby over the last several years and can say with confidence he will: work extremely hard, treat people well, develop student-athletes both on and off the field, and represent Howard Payne at a high level. this is a home run hire!”

-Travis Wyckoff - Kingdom Coaching

“I think one of the most underappreciated qualities of a coach is consistency. Coby Gipson is going to be the same guy during adversity and high times, that’s when you know you have a great leader. HPU football is in good hands headed to the fall. Excited to see what they can accomplish.”

-Cam Davis, Asst DL NY Jets

“Coach Gipson is one of the most genuine and passionate relationship builders in coaching. He will be an outstanding representative for Howard Payne Football and the Texas High School Coaches Association.”

-Cody Gilbert, Head Coach Sabine High School

“Howard Payne couldn’t have made a better choice than Coby Gipson. As an alum and someone who has known Coby, I’ve seen firsthand his dedication, passion, and ability to build strong relationships with his players. He’s not just a great coach—he’s a great Christian leader who will elevate the program and the lives of the athletes he mentors.”

-Clint Fuller, Head Coach Kilgore High School

“Congratulations to Howard Payne University on hiring Coach Coby Gipson as your new Head FB Coach! As a former Texas HS Coach he has real connections that will benefit HPU. Coach Gipson’s faith, integrity and ability to connect with his players make him the right choice to lead your university. Go Yellow Jackets! “

-Coach Alan Metzel, Gilmer Buckeyes

“I’ve been coaching since 1997 and Coach Gipson is one of the finest human beings I’ve ever come across. Not only is he a spectacular football coach, but he is exactly who you want your son playing for. I am so excited for the HPU Community, if they had done a nationwide search for a decade, they would not have found a better Head Coach. This hire will be hard to be for decades to come.”

-Scott X. Nady, SMU Football

“Coach Gipson is authentic thru and thru. What he says, he will do. One of the best offensive coaches on the planet.  Coach Gipson will positively impact your life as a player, manager, parent or staff person. Coach Gipson has a way of inspiring passionate devotion to a cause worth fighting for.”

-Maddox Grace

“Coby Gipson will be the “Most Ready” 1st Year Head Coach on any Level. His leadership, attention to detail, consistency, and organization will prove to be the difference in the success of his program. Coach Gipson and I experienced the overhauling of the Lamar University Football Program and he definitely had a huge impact in transition. Coach Gipson is a man of faith and a family man who will instill and emulate in his players and coaches how to be a man.”

-Wayne Cordova, DB coach at Lamar 

“Coach Gipson is a leader of faith who develops the total student-athlete. His attention to detail and work ethic are second to none. He will build a team that will be part of the campus community and one the community will be proud of. He is the type of coach I would want my children to play for!”

-Mike Reed, UT-Tyler

“Coby used to coach our East Texas Passing Academy with us in Gilmer over 20 years ago. Always been a brilliant mind and is passionate about coaching kids. He will do a great job. Thrilled for him.”

-Jeff Traylor, Head Coach UTSA

“Coby shows up every day with passion, commitment, and an unmatched attention to detail. He’s an outstanding coach who demands the best from his players, not just in competition but in life. Most importantly, he’s a loyal leader and loving family man who leads with integrity both on and off the field.”

-Blane Morgan, Former Lamar Head Coach