Longview High School assistant head football coach Oscar Wilson and head football coach and athletic director John King have both received awards from the Texas High School Coaches Association, recognizing decades of dedication and impact on Texas high school football.
Oscar Wilson receives prestigious Tom Landry Award
Receiving the Tom Landry Award, Coach Wilson, who has served on the Longview coaching staff since 1979, has been a cornerstone of the Lobos football program, mentoring generations of student-athletes and helping sustain one of the state’s most respected programs.
Coach Wilson's leadership was especially evident during the 2025 season, when he stepped in as interim while head coach John King underwent treatment, guiding the team through a challenging period with stability and success.
Serving as an integral part of the success Lobo Athletics has experienced for many years, King praised Coach Wilson's leadership within the program and his expertise as a mentor of young people.
"Whether it be high school or middle school, male athletes or female athletes, Coach Wilson has served as a positive role model and mentor for generations of Lobos,” said King. “Coach Wilson brings honor and professionalism to the coaching profession as an example of service to others.”
The Tom Landry Award is among the highest honors presented by the Texas High School Coaches Association, celebrating coaches who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character, and long-term contributions to the game. Wilson’s recognition reflects not only his longevity but also his influence on players, colleagues, and the broader Texas football community.
Longview assistant athletic director Johnny Hamilton credits Wilson as a vital part of the program’s success.
“Coach Wilson’s impact on my coaching career and the Longview program reaches far beyond X’s and O’s or the field. He didn’t just teach me how to win games; he taught me how to lead young men and women with purpose, discipline, and consistency,” said Hamilton. “His influence can be seen not only in the athletes he coached, but in the generations that followed. Those same athletes are now raising families of their own, with their children coming through the Longview athletic programs, carrying on the standards, lessons, and values he instilled in them. Coach Wilson’s legacy will never be measured in wins and losses, but in the lives he shaped, the coaches he mentored, and the lasting example he set for all of us who were fortunate enough to learn from him.”
John King also receives distinguished honor
Coach King was also recognized by the Texas High School Coaches Association with the “Coaching Beyond the Game” Award, honoring his lasting impact on student-athletes, the school community, and the profession of coaching.
The award, presented annually by the Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation, recognizes coaches who go beyond wins and losses to shape character, teach life skills, and positively influence their communities.
Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard said Coach King’s selection reflects a career defined not only by competitive success but by mentorship, leadership, and a commitment to developing young men both on and off the field.
"It's appropriate that this award references the work done by coaches and teachers 'beyond the game,' because so much of the influence and impact that Coach John King has made during his career cannot be measured in the win-loss column, but in the lives of his colleagues and his students," she said. "Sometimes in sports it's easy to forget to make the main thing the main thing, but that's never the case with Coach King. He is first and foremost a leader and mentor, who serves others far more than himself."
King has led the Longview Lobos since 2004, building one of the most consistent and respected programs in Texas high school football. Under his leadership, Longview has compiled more than 240 wins, captured 17 district championships, and earned a state championship in 2018, while never missing the playoffs during his tenure. His team’s sustained excellence is matched by a culture centered on discipline, accountability, and personal growth.
Beyond the field, King has been a prominent leader in Texas athletics, serving as president of the Texas High School Coaches Association and helping develop coaches statewide. His philosophy emphasizes that every player matters, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, character, and responsibility in building successful programs and communities.
These honors align with Longview ISD’s commitment to excellence in athletics and student development, highlighting the district’s focus on leadership, perseverance, and community impact.