Abram Choate, SID
BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne football program today announced the hiring of Steve Fox as Recruiting Coordinator and Secondary coach, and Bert Green as Receivers coach. Both coaches will start their new duties on June 2, 2008.
Steve Fox comes to Howard Payne from West Texas A&M University were he served as safeties coach. Bert Green has just graduated and finished his career at McMurry University where he was an All-conference wide receiver and punter and a member of McMurry's 2007 NCAA III national championship team in the 4X100 meters.
"We are certainly excited to have Steve Fox and Bert Green join our staff at Howard Payne University," said Steve Fanara, Howard Payne head football coach. “I am pleased with all of the new additions to our staff. These are men I believe will be committed and loyal to Yellow Jacket Football and be great ambassadors for Howard Payne University.”
Steve Fox served the past season as the safeties coach for NCAA II West Texas A&M University helping them finish the season with a 12-1 record and a Lone Star Conference Championship. In the 2006-2007 school year, Steve was at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas as the defensive line coach. That season Tabor went 6-4 and held their opponents to just 86 years rushing average per game.
“When I began coaching, I always looked at HPU as a special place that has tremendous potential and a place that I wanted to be a part of,” said Steve Fox. “I am honored and blessed to have that opportunity now. I look forward to helping build Yellow Jacket football into one of the best programs in the country.”
Steve also served as the Director of Football Operations and outside linebackers coach for Abilene Christian University from 2004-2006 and was apart of the football staff that helped turn around the Abilene Christian University program.
“Steve is someone who brings a variety of experiences to our staff. His success at signing players to ACU and West Texas A&M has shown that he is a proven recruiter in the state of Texas. I think he will be a great addition to our staff.”
Steve is a 1991 graduate of Odessa High School in Odessa, Texas. Tonya, his wife, and Steve have two daughters, Breanna (9) and Alyssa is (1).
Bert Green, also know as Scarborough Green, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 10th round of the 1992 MLB amateur draft, Green made his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on August 2, 1997, and he appeared in his final game on October 1, 2000.
“I am extremely excited about my opportunity to coach at Howard Payne University,” said Bert Green. “The future of Howard Payne football is a bright one, and I'm glad I get to be a part of it.”
Following his career in baseball, Green pursued a collegiate football career at NCAA Division II Harding University. From there he transferred to Division III McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, to play football.
“Bert is a former American Southwest Conference player and understands what our program is built on,” said Coach Fanara “I coached against him the last few years as he played and thought he was a class act and a fierce competitor. His experience at McMurry will serve him well in his position as our receivers coach.”
While serving as the football team's punter, wide receiver, he received All-conference status in both. Green also participated in track and field for McMurry. Green had a strong leg in the 2007 National Champion McMurry University 4x100 relay team, and he added to his All-American titles by running in the 4x400 relay.
“We are excited to have these two men added to our football coaching,” said Mike Jones, Howard Payne Director of Athletics. “This completes our football staff and I know they are eager for fall practice to begin.”
