Leon Fuller - Coaching Career

Coaching Career

After graduating from Alabama in 1961, Fuller became an assistant coach at Big Spring High School. In 1963, he was hired as graduate assistant at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. Fuller continued his coaching career with stints at the University of Kentucky and the University of New Mexico. In 1974 he was appointed defensive coordinator at West Texas State University by Gene Mayfield. A year later he left to take over a similar position at the University of Wyoming under Fred Akers. In 1977 Fuller followed Akers to the University of Texas at Austin. Fuller instantly became a favorite among Texas fans and alumni, as his defensive units frequently ranked among the nation's best.

In 1982, Fuller got his first head coaching job, replacing interim coach Chester Caddas at Colorado State University. He went 25–55 through seven seasons and was dismissed after the Rams finished the 1988 season at 1–10. Fuller then returned to Texas, replacing Paul Jette as Longhorns defensive coordinator for head coach David McWilliams. When John Mackovic replaced McWilliams as Longhorns head coach in 1992, Fuller remained in that position as one of the only two coaches to stay and not have been fired. Two seasons later however, Mackovic fired Fuller, citing a difference of philosophy and strained relationship between the two as his reason. Wade Phillips, Bum Phillips' son, immediately hired Fuller as defensive backs coach for the Denver Broncos.

Returning to the high school level after 32 years, Fuller became head football coach and athletic director of the Llano Independent School District, guiding the Yellowjackets to a 9–2 record in 1995. He then retired from coaching and left Llano to take over as athletic director at the Austin Independent School District. Fuller served in that capacity for eight years overseeing that district's 11 high schools and 17 junior highs, before retiring after the 2003-04 school year.

Fuller came out of retirement in 2007 to replace Gary Gaines as athletic director of the Ector County Independent School District, and then hired him as head coach.