Lone Star Football League: Brents named Roughnecks head coach

The West Texas Roughnecks reached into the past Thursday afternoon as they planned for their future.

Brian Brents, who had been the team’s offensive coordinator in 2004 and 2005, was named the third head coach in team history, taking over for Chris Williams.

Brents, from Crane, is excited about the opportunity.

“It’s great to be back in West Texas and getting a chance to return to the Roughnecks organization,” he said. “I had a lot of fun and learned a lot when I was here the first time with Chris and I’m looking forward to continuing the success he’s had.”

Brents helped Williams shape the team’s early history as the Roughnecks became a playoff team in 2004 and then went 16-1 in 2005 before losing to Tri-Cities (Wash.) in the NIFL semifinals.

Brents then took a job with the Lakeland (Fla.) Thunderbolts in 2006 and moved into a head coaching role with the Mississippi Mudcats in 2007.

In two seasons in Tupelo, Brents guided the team to a combined 24-5 record, reached the 2007 AIFA South Conference Championship game and coached the AIFA South All-Star Team.

After a 12-1 mark in 2008, Brents returned to Texas to coach the El Paso Generals of the Indoor Football League, earning 2009 Coach of the Year honors. After it was announced the team would not return for the 2010 season, Brents, his wife Rachel and son Tyson moved back to the Permian Basin, where he got a job teach at Bowie Junior High, as well as working with the football team.

He’ll continue to teach as he guides the Roughnecks.

“At the Roughnecks, we are very big on family and Brian has been a big part of family in the past and that’s one of the reasons we brought him in,” team owner and general manager Dale Morris said. “He also came highly recommended by Chris Williams.

“Brian is a very good football coach and we are excited to have him as our head coach.”