Former Permian High School head football coach John Wilkins poses for a photo Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at Permian High School’s practice field in Odessa, Texas. Wilkins’ record in 13 seasons from 1973 to 1985 was 148-16-6, signifying him as the “third-winningest” coach in Texas high school football history. Honors compiled by Wilkins include coaching the 1981 Texas North All Star Team, being named in 2000 as Texas Football Magazine’s Texas High School Coach of the 1980’s and being inducted into the Texas Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003. In October, Wilkins was inducted into the Odessa Athletics Hall of Fame in its inaugural class among other coaches and athletes such as former Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams and WNBA star Angela Braziel-Smith.
Former Permian legendary head football coach John Wilkins will be inducted into the 2024 Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.
The longtime Odessan coached the Panthers from 1973-85, taking Permian to state titles in 1980 and 1984 and reaching the state finals in 1975 and 1985.
The induction ceremony will take place on May 18, 2024 in Waco.
Wilkins will be inducted in the same class as the late Cedric Benson who played for Midland Lee, helping the Rebels to three consecutive state championships from 1998-2000.
