WT Football

[Roaming Buff]

The portal is hitting WT hard. Kanyon Ives, Easton Fulton, and Acosta-Lewis have all been offered by Incarnate Word.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Rumor mill says Justin Bane is headed to Incarnate Word. If that’s true, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two coaches he brought with him move on as well.

It got me thinking about how many coordinators WT has lost to FCS/FBS programs over the years:

• Lee Hays (OC) → Baylor (2006)
• Scott Parr (OC) → Texas Tech (2010)
• Miles Kochevar (DC) → Northern Colorado (2019)
• Jake Brown (OC) → Baylor (2020)
• Joe Morris (DC) → Sam Houston State (2020)
• Justin Bane (OC) → Incarnate Word (2025)

So the big question now becomes: who’s next at signal caller for the Buffs?

Personally, I’d love to see a return to a Lee Hays–style offense, assuming he could replicate what he did in 2004–05.

Or maybe even see Stephen Lee return to West Texas. Dustin Vaughan and Khiry Robinson both thrived in that system.

Realistically, though, both eras are more than a decade ago. Offensive philosophy has evolved, and their styles may have changed—or may not fit the current roster.

Its not the system its a talent gap issue.

The Carthel's brought in several D1 talents every year that had NFL careers even before the transfer portal.

You are right that the era and times have changed that a D2 team is never going to get that type of amount of talent again.

If they do its here and there and gone the next year.

[AmaKnight]

Rumor mill says Justin Bane is headed to Incarnate Word. If that’s true, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two coaches he brought with him move on as well.

It got me thinking about how many coordinators WT has lost to FCS/FBS programs over the years:

• Lee Hays (OC) → Baylor (2006)
• Scott Parr (OC) → Texas Tech (2010)
• Miles Kochevar (DC) → Northern Colorado (2019)
• Jake Brown (OC) → Baylor (2020)
• Joe Morris (DC) → Sam Houston State (2020)
• Justin Bane (OC) → Incarnate Word (2025)

So the big question now becomes: who’s next at signal caller for the Buffs?

Personally, I’d love to see a return to a Lee Hays–style offense, assuming he could replicate what he did in 2004–05.

Or maybe even see Stephen Lee return to West Texas. Dustin Vaughan and Khiry Robinson both thrived in that system.

Realistically, though, both eras are more than a decade ago. Offensive philosophy has evolved, and their styles may have changed—or may not fit the current roster.

[WT_TKW]

I assume he is going to a bigger school. He wasn't here but 9 months haha. With him being the best recruiter we have had in years, it stings a little

Hughes had a very good OC for just 1 year too, with similar results. Jake Brown increased the points per game by about 10.

Here's his coaching history. He wasn't able to do much for UTEP and "stepped down" a year ago.

https://utepminers.com/sports/footba...ake-brown/3091

[Buff Fan 05]

I assume he is going to a bigger school. He wasn't here but 9 months haha. With him being the best recruiter we have had in years, it stings a little

[WT_TKW]

I saw on X that Coach Bane is leaving. Bad news for the 2026 WT football outlook. He was the change that made them competitive again.

I found the posts, but did not see where he is heading. Best of luck to Coach Bane.

[WT_TKW]

I saw on X that Coach Bane is leaving. Bad news for the 2026 WT football outlook. He was the change that made them competitive again.

Maybe Lynn will figure out a way to get Sean Johnson another year so he can go back to playing QB. Those pick sixes were the highlights of his QB play.

Odds are in less than a year we will be talking about WT's new head coach.

[Buff Fan 05]

I saw on X that Coach Bane is leaving. Bad news for the 2026 WT football outlook. He was the change that made them competitive again.

[BuffaloChip]

If Optimist Prime is celebrating, Rikel must be really bad.

Bad for athletics. Good if you're a typical university bureaucrat.

[WT_TKW]

I saw on WT facebook that most peeps were sad He was leaving.

I am guessing not too many D2football.com peeps follow that page.

If Optimist Prime is celebrating, Rikel must be really bad.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Hell yeah! F*ck yeah!

Now we just need a new Prez to hire a fresh, young biz VP. Someone with some simpatico for athletics.

WT athletics has gotten ZERO credit from Rikel for contributions to the university's budget. That was always THE contentious issue between McBroom and Rikel. 400 athletes, student trainers, managers, cheerleaders, marching band, friends at WT because of them, etc., most paying full freight to be at WT. McBroom always said that athletic-related income WT derived in tuition, fees, dorms, etc swamped what WT invested in athletics. Alll McB ever asked for was recognition of that fact and and fair treatment for athletics. Yet, Rikel (and by default Wendler) continually dismissed those contributions to WT's top and bottom lines. Rikel, in particular, protected his fiefdom, his territory, his power, above all else.

Good riddance.

I saw on WT facebook that most peeps were sad He was leaving.

I am guessing not too many D2football.com peeps follow that page.

[BuffaloChip]

I thought some might be glad to hear this. I wonder if it was his idea to leave?

My guess, yes.....retirement finally

[WT_TKW]

Hell yeah! F*ck yeah!

Now we just need a new Prez to hire a fresh, young biz VP. Someone with some simpatico for athletics.

WT athletics has gotten ZERO credit from Rikel for contributions to the university's budget. That was always THE contentious issue between McBroom and Rikel. 400 athletes, student trainers, managers, cheerleaders, marching band, friends at WT because of them, etc., most paying full freight to be at WT. McBroom always said that athletic-related income WT derived in tuition, fees, dorms, etc swamped what WT invested in athletics. Alll McB ever asked for was recognition of that fact and and fair treatment for athletics. Yet, Rikel (and by default Wendler) continually dismissed those contributions to WT's top and bottom lines. Rikel, in particular, protected his fiefdom, his territory, his power, above all else.

Good riddance.

I thought some might be glad to hear this. I wonder if it was his idea to leave?

[BuffaloChip]

Not exactly football related.

Randy Rikel, vice president for business and finance, will retire at the end of the year.

Hell yeah! F*ck yeah!

Now we just need a new Prez to hire a fresh, young biz VP. Someone with some simpatico for athletics.

WT athletics has gotten ZERO credit from Rikel for contributions to the university's budget. That was always THE contentious issue between McBroom and Rikel. 400 athletes, student trainers, managers, cheerleaders, marching band, friends at WT because of them, etc., most paying full freight to be at WT. McBroom always said that athletic-related income WT derived in tuition, fees, dorms, etc swamped what WT invested in athletics. Alll McB ever asked for was recognition of that fact and and fair treatment for athletics. Yet, Rikel (and by default Wendler) continually dismissed those contributions to WT's top and bottom lines. Rikel, in particular, protected his fiefdom, his territory, his power, above all else.

Good riddance.

[GoBuffs]

Glad to hear Rikel is retiring.