HBCU Legends

Former Houston Oilers Teammates And Stars Are Head Football Coaches In The SWAC

Former Houston Oilers teammates are now head football coaches in the SWAC.

Kyle T. Mosley

HOUSTON - Bubba McDowell, Eddie Robinson Jr., and now Cris Dishman are former Houston Oilers teammates, and leading SWAC football teams as head coaches. The three were part of the teams that played for Houston from 1992 to 1994.

Dishman played cornerback, McDowell was a strong safety, and Robinson Jr. patrolled the defensive second level at linebacker. Each was known for hitting hard, playing smart, and "laying it all out" on the football field during Jack Pardee's "Run-N-Shoot" days before his 1994 dismissal after a 1-9 start.

Bubba McDowell
Prairie View head coach Bubba McDowell against Alabama State during their game at Hornet Stadium on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday September 24, 2022. Asup48; Credit: © Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

BUBBA MCDOWELL

McDowell has been in the HBCU collegiate football space for 14 seasons as an assistant coach until his promotion to head coach of the Prairie View A&M Panthers in 2022. He's 12-11 in Prairie View and took the Panthers to the 2023 SWAC Football Championship game against Florida A&M. 

Coach McDowell was on the Miami University's national championship team before Houston picked him in the third round of the 1989 NFL Draft.

Bubba McDowell's Former Houston Oilers Teammate Applauds His Hiring at Prairie View

Eddie Robinson Jr and Damatrius Davis
Aug. 27, 2022; Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr and quarterback Damatrius Davis win the 2022 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff in Atlanta, GA at Center Parc Stadium.  Mandatory Photo Credit: David Campbell, Alabama State University

EDDIE ROBINSON JR.

The Oilers selected Eddie Robinson Jr. in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He's the lone HBCU alum from Alabama State. The Hornets lured him from the business sector into becoming his alma mater's head coach. Robinson Jr. has posted a 13-9 record since 2022.

Alabama State's 'Ugly Win' Over Texas Southern was 'Beautiful' for Eddie Robinson Jr.

TSU Announcement

CRIS DISHMAN

Cris Dishman will leave the XFL as the Vipers' defensive coordinator last season to join the beleaguered Texas Southern Tigers football program. Houston drafted Dishman out of Purdue as the 125th overall selection in the fifth round of the 1988 NFL Draft.

In 2024, it could mark the first time former NFL teammates who became head football coaches would lead their teams against one another during a football season.  

Texas Southern University Names Former NFL Star And Houston Oiler Cris Dishman As New Head Football Coach

Eddie George
Tennessee State head coach Eddie George watches his team face against Norfolk State during the first quarter of the TSU homecoming game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Credit: © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Another Houston Oiler teammate who is an HBCU head coach is Eddie George.  He was was Dishman's teammate in 1996.  George has led the Tigers to a 15-15 record in the OVC.

Once the new Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) football schedules are released, we'll examine the future matchups between the former Houston Oilers teammates.  

2024 should be an excellent season for HBCU football with parity, new head coaches, and transfer players.

New Head Coach Cris Dishman Accepts The 'Huge Responsibility' To Mentor Young Men And Win At Texas Southern

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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