Mike Owens, who led Tyler Lee to a 2004 football state championship, dies at 73

Published 9:51 am Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Mike Owens, who led Robert E. Lee High School to a 2004 football state championship, died Monday night, Tyler ISD has confirmed.

He was 73 years old.

“On behalf of the Tyler ISD administration and board of trustees, while we hurt for the family in Coach Owens’ passing, we are honored to have been a part of filling his heart with the naming of the fieldhouse so that he could enjoy the honor before his passing,” Tyler ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marty Crawford said. “I will never forget the heartfelt gratitude Coach showed when the Coach Mike Owens Fieldhouse was dedicated this summer. The humility he showed toward deflecting the honor to those he worked with and the students he served is a trait that all leaders should portray.”

Owens was the head coach at Tyler Lee from 1996-2010, leading the program to a record of 111-69, making him the winningest coach in program history.

Owens built the Red Raiders into a powerhouse, winning five district championships and earning playoff berths in 13 of 15 seasons, including winning the 2004 Class 5A Division I state championship. That team went 12-3 and defeated Spring Westfield 28-21 in the championship game.

“Mike not only won games, but he also won the hearts of the kids that played for him and the coaches who worked with him,” former Tyler ISD Athletic Director Danny Long said. “I became a better man because of his friendship.”

“From everyone in the Tyler Legacy/Tyler Lee Community, we want to send our condolences to the Mike Owens Family. Coach Owens built a first class program and left a legacy that will live on here forever,” current Tyler Legacy head football coach Beau Trahan posted on X/Twitter.

Current Tyler Legacy assistant coach Bobby Walker, who played for Owens at Lee posted on Facebook, “Just wanted to stop and say RIP to Coach Owens. Truly a legend and made a tremendous impact on my life and many others who played for him. Your vision and direction brought many wins and a championship to Robert E. Lee and most of all life lessons I still hold on to today. Thank you Coach Owens, the difference maker. To the family, we are praying for you during this time and know the Lee family is here for you.”

Owens came to Tyler after coaching at Port Arthur Jefferson from 1982-1995. He led the Yellowjackets to five playoff appearances in 14 season before accepting the position at REL.

Owens retired from Lee after the 2010 season but did return to head coaching in 2015 at Frankston, leading the Indians to a 6-4 record. Owens finished with a record of 191-133-2.

Owens helped coach several dozen players into the collegiate level, as well as coaching multiple players who would go on to play in the National Football League, including the likes of Matt Flynn and Brandon Pettigrew.

Owens was inducted into the Tyler ISD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. In August, the fieldhouse at Tyler Legacy High School was named after Owens.