Gilmer to Rename Football Stadium After Former Coach Jeff Traylor

Jeff Traylor may not be on the Gilmer sidelines this season for the first time in 16 years, but he'll be part of the stadium forever.

The Gilmer ISD school board voted Monday night to rename Buckeye Stadium to Jeff Traylor Stadium, honoring the former coach who won three state championships at Gilmer.

"Truly honored," Traylor told KLTV in a text message Monday.  "Greatest honor I have ever received."

Traylor, who also graduated from Gilmer, has one of the most impressive coaching careers in Texas high school football history. He went 175-26 with five state title game appearances (winning three), and reached the playoffs 14 consecutive years.

Shortly after winning his third title last December, Traylor left Gilmer to become the special teams and tight ends coach at The University of Texas, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest coaches in the state's history.

"This decision is about more than wins," Gilmer ISD Board President Jeff Rash told KLTV.  "We've won more games than any other 4A team in the state since Jeff took over. But the No. 1 reason is Jeff is a hometown boy. He could have left for a lot of places in the past 15 years, but he believed in this community. He will return home one day and retire here."

KLTV reported the school is hoping to honor Traylor at a game early this season.