One of Texas High School Football's Top 100 Coaches of the Past 100 Years, Coach Gage Honored for His Legacy and Impact

*Coach Ronnie Gage, one of the winningest high school football coaches in Texas history, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the Ronnie Gage Field House in* *Lewisville*, Texas. Pictured during the dedication festivities are Coach Gage, along wth his wife, son, and daughter (L to R): Stephanie Gage, Coach James Gage, Coach Ronnie Gage, and Coach Julianne Penix. (Photo courtesy of the *LewisvilleIndependent* *School District)*

Lewisville, Texas (October 7, 2025) – Coach Ronnie Gage, one of the winningest high school football coaches in Texas history, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the Ronnie Gage Field House in Lewisville, Texas. Coach Gage was honored by Lewisville High School (LHS) and the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) to commemorate his legacy and impact on Texas football and the high school team he coached to so many victories.

A Texas football legend, Coach Gage was the beloved head coach at LHS from 1991 to 2024, and later served as LISD's athletic director. During his tenure as head coach at LHS, he led his teams to two state championships.

He was named one of the winningest high school football coaches in 100 years of Texas history by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and highly respected Texas football publication Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (DCTF), who honored him among "the best, the brightest, and the most unforgettable icons and legends in Texas football's illustrious history."

Coach Gage was twice recognized as the Texas Sportswriters Association’s Coach of the Year, the Dallas All Sports Association Coach of the Year (two times), and was selected for the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor, along with many other accolades and awards that he has collected through his career.

When asked about The Ronnie Gage Fieldhouse, he says, "I could not have accomplished what I have in my career without the help and support of so many. You're only as good as the people you're surrounded with, and God has surrounded me with some very special people."

*Coach Ronnie Gage, the beloved long-time head coach at* *Lewisville High Schoo*l and a Texas football legend, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the Ronnie Gage Field House in *Lewisville, Texas, an honor commemorating his legacy and impact on Texas football and the high school team he coached to so many victories. (Photo courtesy of the* *Lewisville* *Independent* *School District)*

"I grew up without a dad," he continues. "The Fieldhouse was my safe place, the coaches were my mentors, and God was always my guidance."

"Coaching is unique and special because it teaches you how to overcome adversity, how to persevere, how to work hard, how to teach work ethic, and do things the right way and never give up," he says.

"We worked hard, but we had fun," he remembers. "I always told my players to work hard to if you want to achieve your goals. Remember, there are no shortcuts if you want to get there."

Coach Gage is also known for his legacy off the field. He’s a published author, a husband to his high school sweetheart of 48 years, and is known as a mentor who has inspired many of his past players to become coaches themselves. Over 60 players who have played for Coach Gage are in the coaching profession today, including his son James and daughter Julianne, who are today both teaching and coaching.

"We’re proud of the profession," says Coach Gage. "We’re proud of the title of 'coach.' That means a lot to me. It means a lot to my family. I just think that’s a powerful word. I’m very proud of this profession and anybody that’s in it because they can make a difference, and they do make a difference."

To view video from the Ronnie Gage Field House dedication ceremony, click here.

To view Coach Gage's recent Finish Strong Podcast interview with Fearless Faith Ministries, titled "Texas Football Glory: Coach Ronnie Gage's Unstoppable Journey," click here.

*The family of Coach Ronnie Gage, the beloved long-time head coach at* *Lewisville High School* *and Texas football legend, was on hand one year ago to help him celebrate the dedication of the Ronnie Gage Field House in* *Lewisville*, Texas, an honor commemorating his legacy and his impact on Texas football and on the high school team he coached to so many victories. Pictured: Coach Ronnie Gage (center) with members of his extended family. (Photo courtesy of the *Lewisville* *Independent* *School District)*

Coach Gage is also celebrating the six-year anniversary of his critically acclaimed book, The Life Coach: Small-Town Lessons on Faith, Family, and Football, which he co-wrote with author, motivational speaker, and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, and Alice Sullivan.

Many of Coach Gage’s exploits and leadership philosophies have been captured in The Life Coach. The book — part inspirational memoir, part Texas football history, and part motivational guide for leaders — has been praised by such influential media outlets as Cornerstone TV's flagship show, Hope Today, Inspiration.org, CBN.com, The Meeting House on Faith Radio, and many more.

For more information on Coach Gage, Dr. Thompson, and The Life Coach, visit 91kick.com, 91kick.com/coachs-corner, or follow on Facebook (facebook.com/91kick orfacebook.com/coachronniegage), or Instagram (instagram.com/91kick).

# # #

About Coach Ronnie Gage:

A Texas football legend, Coach Ronnie Gage coached football in Texas for 42 years before retiring, compiling one of the most enviable winning records in state history. His accomplishments include three State Championships (two as a coach and one as an athletic director) and seven District Championships.

Coach Gage was twice recognized as the Texas Sportswriters Association’s Coach of the Year (1993 and 1996), the Dallas All Sports Association Coach of the Year (two times), and was selected for the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor.

He served as president of the Texas High School Coaches Association, an organization of over 18,000 members. He served on the board of directors and was selected to serve on the advisory board of the THSCA.

He was voted District Coach of the Year seven times, and was chosen Citizen of The Year for Lewisville, Texas.

His 1996 team was featured on a Cheerios Box and he was chosen by Fox Sports as the Coach Who Makes a Difference in 1999. In 2017, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in his hometown of Decatur, Texas.

Coach Gage coached the Austin College football team from 2006 to 2009 and coached the 61-year-old placekicker Tom Thompson, who set two NCAA records.

Over 60 players who have played for Coach Gage are in the coaching profession today, including his son James and daughter Julianne, who are both teaching/coaching. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Stephanie for 48 years.

Coach Gage offers a wealth of insight to coaches, teachers, family members, or any professionals who aspire to be in a leadership role in his inspirational and motivational memoir, The Life Coach, co-written with author, professor, researcher, motivational speaker, coach and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, and Alice Sullivan. The Life Coach offers readers sound life and leadership principles based on the individual effort and team-first mentality required for a successful football season—and a successful life.

*One of the winningest high school football coaches in the state of Texas, Coach Ronnie Gage offers a wealth of insight to leaders and managers in his book,* **The Life Coach***, co-written with Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II and Alice Sullivan. (Cover image courtesy of Clovercroft Publishing)*

About The Life Coach:

On November 14, 2009, Coach Ronnie Gage, then the head football coach at Austin College, watched from the sidelines as Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At 61, Thompson became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. While that kick made history and put tiny Austin College on the sports media map, the event was never designed to be a publicity stunt. In fact, Coach Gage didn’t even like Thompson at first, and assumed he was “a wacko with an agenda” for wanting to play college football at 60. But as the season wore on, Coach Gage realized Thompson’s heart was in the right place.

“We didn’t really develop a relationship until after the season was over,” says Thompson. “I didn’t presume because we were close in age that I could engage him in any topic other than football.

"The man is a legend in Texas football history, and it was important to me that my teammates see me treat him with the respect he deserved," Thompson continues. "He told me flat out that he was not giving me any special treatment. And I appreciated that. But I knew when I first got to know Coach Gage that we would do some things together.”

The Life Coach is the first result of their “post-kick” collaborations. A combination of sports memoir and inspirational leadership manual, The Life Coach delves into how to juggle the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of everyday life.

“Coach Gage is a quiet, humble guy, and his faith has been a big part of his life,” Thompson explains. “He’s gone through some of the worst things that life can throw at you, including the loss of his daughter to a brain tumor, and is still able to cling to the goodness of God.”

To schedule an interview, contact McCain & Co. Public Relations:

Email: mccainprnews@mccainpr.com

Facebook: facebook.com/McCain&Co.PublicRelations

X: @McCainPR

Phone: 615-262-1727

Press Releases

AUTHOR & COACH RONNIE GAGE CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF RONNIE GAGE FIELDHOUSE DEDICATION IN LEWISVILLE, TEXAS

91Kick