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Don Carthel

Don Carthel turned Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M universities’ football fortunes around. In doing so, he became the winningest coach, percentage-wise, at both schools.

After four previous years with only seven wins, Carthel directed the Buffs to a 10-2 record, the Lone Star Conference championship, and into the NCAA Division II playoffs. WT won three more LSC titles and made five more playoffs and two Kanza Bowl appearances. In 2012, the Buffs went 12-3 and reached the NCAA semifinals, winning three road playoff games.

Carthel’s coaching career began in 1981 at Lubbock Christian College, which led to his next job at UTEP. He returned to his alma mater in 1985, ENMU. In Eastern’s history, they only won 11 percent of their games against LSC teams. In his six years at Eastern, Carthel had only one losing season, compiling a 44-28-1 record for a school-best .610 winning percentage.

In 2004, Carthel coached the Amarillo Dusters to the Intense Football League championship.