December 31st, 2025 12:00pm
From utpbfalcons.com
ODESSA, Texas (December 31, 2025) – On Wednesday, December 31, The University of Texas Permian Basin Vice President for Athletics Scott Larson announced Chris Softley as the third Head Football Coach of the Falcons.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Softley to our program," said Larson. "He is a proven winner who understands that success is built on discipline, accountability, and teamwork. Just as important, he is deeply committed to developing men of character, preparing them not only for victories on the field, but for life beyond football."
Softley comes to UTPB after serving as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Lubbock Christian School, where he was a State Champion and was named the Texas Coach of the Year. In nine full seasons (2016-2025) as the Head Coach of the Eagles, Softley earned a school record 101 career wins and won 82 percent of his games (101-22). His teams had eight double-digit winning seasons in nine years and posted six straight years of top-four finishes in the state. He led his teams to seven district championships, eight area championships, seven final four appearances, four State final appearances, and two State Championships (2022, 2025). During his time, Softley coached six starting quarterbacks to First-Team All-State or MVP honors while his teams averaged 52 points per game. Softley was a six-time State of Texas Coach of the Year and a seven-time District Coach of the Year. He was honored by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine as a 40 Under 40 Coach (2022), the Pre-Season Coach of the Year (2023), and one of the 10 Most Underrated Texas High School Football Coaches (2024) while his team was named Team of the Year (2022).
As Athletic Director, Softley oversaw 31 final four appearances and 10 State Championships in six team sports. LCS achieved six State Championships in the last two years, including every sports team qualifying for the final four. He saw LCS earn back-to-back Henderson Cup Championships (2022-23, 2023-24), celebrating the top TAPPS 3A school in Texas. He also helped raise $6.5 million dollars for facilities and upgrades.
As a Defensive Graduate Assistant Coach at Abilene Christian University (2008-2010), Softley was responsible for in-game adjustments (Booth Coach, Headset) and helped coach the team to the Lone Star Conference Championship and its first undefeated regular season since 1950. The team was ranked as high as No. 1 nationally in 2009 and finished the year ranked No. 13. It also finished ranked No. 5 with an 11-1 record in 2008. During his time at ACU, the defense ranked No. 1 nationally in rush defense and No. 3 in interceptions in 2009 and led the LSC in rush defense, scoring defense and takeaways in both 2008 and 2009. Lastly, the program had five NFL Draft picks and one Harlon Hill Winner during his time.
Softley has been married to Autumn Softley for 14 years. They met at Abilene Christian where she played basketball and he served as a Graduate Assistant Football Coach for the Wildcats. Together they have four children: Tatum, Tyler, Trey and Tate.