Tarleton State is fond of its history, whether you’re discussing the school’s founder John Tarleton or the oldest spirit organization in Texas, the Purple Poo, the legend of the Texan Rider, or even Duck Camp, the Texans have a rich history dating back to 1899.

The football program has had its share of legendary head coaches, including W.J. Wisdom, Earl Rudder, and Buddy Fornes. It’s time to add Todd Whitten’s name to that list. The program’s winningest head coach has spent 16 of his 21 years, and won 114 of his 139 career games, as head coach at Tarleton.

Whitten has twice turned the Texans program around and led Tarleton through one of the most successful transitions from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I and FCS in history. Yet, it hasn’t always been easy. He was considered to be on the hot seat in 2022 despite posting back-to-back six-win seasons during the transition.

The veteran coach sealed his legacy at Tarleton in 2024 by leading the program to its first FCS playoff appearance in its first season of eligibility. Add in an opening round home victory in the program’s first FCS playoff game, and it’s a wonder the new turf installed during the offseason didn’t have “Todd Whitten Field” prominently displayed.

However, Whitten isn’t ready to rest on his laurels or take any credit for the program’s success. The Texans still have new heights to reach under his guidance.

“The goal is always to keep improving. We have another good football team this year, but winning ball games is hard. You need a little good fortune, but you can create some of that by recruiting hard,” Whitten said. “You must have good players and then do a good job coaching them. We’re blessed with an awesome coaching staff. Those guys work hard, recruit hard, and coach our guys up.”

Whitten credits the program’s consistency to minimal staff turnover each year, which leads to players constantly receiving a consistent message throughout their time in Stephenville.

Last year’s second-round playoff loss at No. 4 South Dakota provided Whitten and his staff a glimpse into what the program needs to compete against the top teams in the FCS.

“Getting to see South Dakota along the line of scrimmage was another lesson learned for our program since transitioning to Division I,” Whitten said. “We need to continue making building depth and strength along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball a point of emphasis. We had the skill guys to compete with them, but they were able to shove us around a little more.”

The Texans will have a different look on offense in 2025, with running back Kayvon Britten and wide receiver Darius Cooper trying to make an NFL roster after graduating. But one member of the offense will be familiar to fans, as quarterback Victor Gabalis returns to lead Tarleton for the third straight year.

“Anytime you have a third-year starting quarterback, you have a chance to be a good team,” Whitten said. “Victor is a good player, and I think we’ll see the best version of Victor this fall. He throws it about as well as anyone we’ve ever had here, and I expect him to play very well for us.”

Still, another 10-win season will be challenging for Tarleton, who opens with road games against Portland State and Army before returning home to meet Mississippi Valley State. The Texans open United Athletic Conference play on the road against Central Arkansas before closing their non-conference slate at home against a solid Chattanooga team.

“It’ll be difficult going from one coast to the other and having a short week. But that’s what we’re looking for,” Whitten said. “We want to be tested early so we can make real progress to be ready for our conference opponents. You have to play well on the road to win our conference.”

Cory’s Take

You’d be hard-pressed to name a more consistent program since 2018 among Texas Division I and Division II schools than Tarleton. That’s because you can’t. The Texans are the only program in that category to post seven consecutive winning seasons. It’s been nearly a decade since Tarleton finished with a record below .500, which was Whitten’s first season of his second stint leading the program in 2016.

Still, Tarleton hasn’t won a conference title since transitioning to FCS. The Texans have a good chance to win the UAC trophy in 2025. The main question facing Tarleton this season is along the offensive line, where no starters return. How quickly the offensive line jells will determine whether the Texans set more program history this year.

- Written by Cory Hogue