NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Announces 2025 Major Award Winners
Lilly, Gates, and Allen headline local football leaders to be honored during chapter’s annual Awards Banquet on March 30
DALLAS, Texas (March 25, 2025) – The NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas, the north Texas chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc., announced today the 2025 major award winners who will be honored during the chapter's 16th Annual Awards Banquet this Sunday, March 30.
The 2025 major award winners include:
Distinguished Texan Award
Bob Lilly, Super Bowl Champion player with the Dallas Cowboys over 14 seasons; member of the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fames
Legends Award
Randy Allen, legendary Highland Park high school football coach with 460 wins and four state championships (2005, 2016, 2017, and 2018)
Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football
James Craft, founding member of the Clearview Foundation supporting the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas and other charities
Steve Storie Official of the Year
Robert “Scooter” Asel, former Texas high school football player and official
Media Person of the Year
Mike Doocy, main sports anchor for Fox4 DFW for over 30 years and host of "Free 4 All" and "Sports Sunday"
College Coach of the Year
Rhett Lashlee, Southern Methodist University head football coach
High School Coach of the Year (6A)
Ray Gates, North Crowley High School head football coach and 2024 Conference 6A Division 1 state champion
High School Coach of the Year (4A)
Bill Elliott, Celina High School head football coach and 2024 Conference 4A Division 1 state champion
High School Coach of the Year (3A)
Jake Fieszel, Gunter High School head football coach and 2024 Conference 3A Division 2 state champion
High School Coach of the Year (TAPPS DII)
Aaron Beck, All Saints’ Episcopal School (Fort Worth) head football coach and 2024 TAPPS Division II state champion
The awardees will be honored alongside college and high school scholar-athletes who will be announced on Thursday.
"All of our 2025 honorees have built tremendous careers geared toward making football in North Texas great," said NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Chapter president Gerald Brence, a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor and current assistant football coach at McKinney Christian Academy. "They have all enjoyed considerable success, and it is our pleasure to recognize each of their efforts in enhancing the Future For Football."
The event will showcase the great stories in North Texas that will inspire future student-athletes to excel in the classroom and become more involved in their communities. The event also provides a key platform for recognizing the contributions of the football leaders in the region who have placed North Texas football among the best in the nation. This year's honorees have been selected for their outstanding accomplishments and lasting community impact.
2025 NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Major Award Winner Bios
Distinguished Texan Award: Bob Lilly
Bob Lilly, known as “Mr. Cowboy,” is a Hall of Fame defensive tackle who played his entire 14-season career (1961-1974) with the Dallas Cowboys. A cornerstone of the franchise, Lilly was the first player ever drafted by the Cowboys and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant defensive linemen in NFL history.
Before his storied NFL career, Lilly was a standout at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he played from 1958 to 1960. As a dominant force on the Horned Frogs’ defensive line, Lilly earned All-Southwest Conference honors twice and was named a consensus All-American in 1960. His impact at TCU helped solidify his reputation as an elite defensive talent, leading to his selection as the 13th overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. In recognition of his collegiate excellence, Lilly was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
Wearing the iconic No. 74 jersey, Lilly earned 11 Pro Bowl selections, seven First-Team All-Pro honors, and helped lead the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory in 1972. Renowned for his speed, strength, and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks, he was a key force in the team’s famed Doomsday Defense. His leadership and excellence on the field earned him an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility. He was also the first player inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
Beyond his playing career, Lilly has remained a respected figure in the football world, engaging in photography, business ventures, and community service. His legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes and Cowboys fans alike.
Legends Award: Randy Allen
Randy Allen is one of the most accomplished and respected high school football coaches in Texas history. With a coaching career spanning four decades, Allen is the winningest active high school football coach in Texas with 460 victories at the end of the 2024 season. Allen has built a legacy of excellence, leadership, and player development, most notably at Highland Park High School in Dallas. Under his leadership, Highland Park became one of the most dominant programs in the state, capturing four state championships (2005, 2016, 2017, and 2018) and consistently ranking among Texas' elite football programs.
A former player himself, Allen played college football at Southern Methodist University (SMU) before beginning his coaching career. Over the years, he held coaching positions at various Texas high schools, but his most recognized tenure was at Highland Park, where he amassed over 400 career wins, placing him among the winningest high school coaches in Texas history. His coaching philosophy emphasized discipline, teamwork, and character, producing not only great athletes but also outstanding young men.
Allen’s contributions to Texas football earned him numerous accolades, including National High School Coaches Association Football Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2018, Grant Teaff Fellowship of Christian Athletes Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, AFCA Power of Influence Award in 2015, NFL Don Shula National High School Coach of the Year Award in 2016, SMU Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017, and finally, his induction into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2024. His impact on the game extends beyond the field, as he continues to mentor coaches and young athletes, shaping the future of Texas football.
Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football: James Craft
James Craft graduated from Dallas Hillcrest High School. He went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection from El Centro College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from SMU. Craft served in the Dallas Fire Rescue Department for 40 years with the last 32 years at the rank of Captain. He then served as the Fire Service Coordinator for Tarrant County College for 12 years.
In 2018, he was a founding member in the establishment of the Clearview Foundation which has four main objectives. The Clearview Foundation supports Plano Christmas Cops, Dallas CASA Annual Toy Drive, NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas, and individuals and families in severe need due to illness and injury. He is an avid sports fan and lives in Plano with his wife, Sarah. He also has a daughter who is a librarian in the Dripping Springs school district.
Steve Storie Official of the Year: Robert “Scooter” Asel
Robert "Scooter" Asel is a former Texas high school football player and official who gained recognition for his contributions to the sport, particularly within the Dallas area. Asel played football for Plano Senior High School where his team won the state championship in 1994 under head football coach, Gerald Brence, and Asel was named Player of the Game. He went on to play college football at Eastern Kentucky University and was named 1st Team All Ohio Valley Conference in 1996, EKU Defensive Back of the Year in 1996, EKU Defensive MVP in 1999 along with other accolades. In addition, Asel was inducted into the 2024 Hall of Honor by the Plano ISD Athletics Department.
After his playing career, he transitioned into officiating, where he officiated high school football games from 2004-2011 before moving to the Southland Conference. Soon, he was officiating in the Mountain West, and then in 2020 moved to the Big 12. He has worked a total of 178 college games including three FCS games, the Mountain West Championship and 10 bowl games.
Asel is known for his extensive knowledge of football and his ability to maintain fairness and integrity on the field as an official. He is regarded as one of the top officials in the country. Scooter lives in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Britney and three children.
Media Person of the Year: Mike Doocy
Mike Doocy is a seasoned sportscaster with a career spanning more than three decades in sports journalism. As the longtime sports director and anchor for FOX 4 in Dallas-Fort Worth, Doocy has become a trusted voice for North Texas sports fans, delivering in-depth coverage, expert analysis, and engaging interviews with some of the biggest names in sports.
Since joining FOX 4 in 1994, Doocy has covered the region’s most significant sports moments, from the Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl runs to the Mavericks’ NBA Championship and beyond. He is widely known for hosting Free 4 All, a fast-paced and interactive sports show that blends humor, insightful commentary, and exclusive athlete interviews.
With his deep knowledge of the game and charismatic on-air presence, Doocy has built a loyal following among viewers. His passion for sports, combined with his storytelling ability, has made him a respected figure in the industry. Outside of the studio, he is dedicated to community engagement, frequently participating in charity events and youth sports initiatives.
Doocy is originally from Bancroft, Iowa, and attended the University of Iowa before embarking on his broadcasting career. His love for sports, sharp wit, and commitment to journalistic excellence continue to make him a standout in the field of sports broadcasting. Doocy lives in Oak Point, Texas, with his wife, Ruth, and they have two, Christina and Laura.
College Coach of the Year: Rhett Lashlee (SMU)
Rhett Lashlee is the head football coach of Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a 29-12 record over the past three seasons.
Lashlee played quarterback at Shiloh High School in Springdale Arkansas and began his coaching journey in 2004 at Springdale High School in Arkansas, where he worked with quarterbacks, including future National Player of the Year Mitch Mustain. He transitioned to collegiate coaching as the offensive coordinator at Samford University in 2011, before joining Auburn University in 2013.
At Auburn, Lashlee played a pivotal role in the Tigers' 2013 SEC Championship and their appearance in the BCS National Championship game. Lashlee joined SMU as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2018-2019 and then joined the University of Miami from 2020-2021 in the same role where he significantly improved the team's offensive performance.
Lashlee returned to SMU in 2022 as the head coach in 2022. In his first season, he led the Mustangs to a 7-5 record and a bowl appearance. The following year, Lashlee guided SMU to an 11-3 record, securing the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship—the program's first conference title since 1984. In 2024, as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Lashlee’s Mustangs went 11-3 (8-0 conference) earning spots in the ACC Championship and College Football Playoffs. Lashlee’s accomplishments earned him recognition as a finalist in 2023 and 2024 for the prestigious “Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award”.
Lashlee graduated from Arkansas in 2006 and received his master’s degree from Auburn in 2009. He and his wife, Lauren, have twin sons – Thomas and Hudson and twin daughters – Rowyn and Scarlet.
High School Coach of the Year (6A): Ray Gates (North Crowley High School)
Ray Gates took the helm of the North Crowley Panthers in 2022, transforming the team with remarkable speed. In just his third year, he led the Panthers to a perfect 16-0 season, culminating in the Class 6A Division I state championship, the school's first in 21 years. This victory also secured a No. 3 national ranking, the highest in school history.
Under Gates' leadership, the Panthers averaged an impressive 54 points per game, setting a Dallas area scoring record with a total of 864 points. Notably, the team triumphed over formidable opponents, including Duncanville in the state semifinals, ending their 16-game playoff win streak with a 36-34 victory. They concluded their championship run with a decisive 50-21 win against Westlake in the title game.
Gates was honored as the 2024 MaxPreps National High School Football Coach of the Year, recognizing his outstanding contributions to high school football on a national scale. Additionally, he received the Star-Telegram High School Football Coach of the Year award, further cementing his status as a top-tier coach in the region.
Gates is deeply committed to faith, family, and football. His personal motto, "God, Family, Football," reflects his core values. He resides in Burleson, Texas, and is an alumnus of Shiner High School.
High School Coach of the Year (4A): Bill Elliott (Celina High School)
Bill Elliott has been on staff for Celina High School for over 32 years and became the athletics director and head football coach in 2012. Elliott served for many years as an assistant and offensive coordinator. Under his leadership this season, the Bobcats cemented a perfect 16-0 season with a dominating victory over Kilgore High School (55-21) securing Celina's ninth UIL state championship, tis first since 2007.
Elliott played tight end in high school and started as an offensive lineman at TCU under head football coach, Jim Wacker, from 1988 to 1990. He is married to Kathy and has the honor of coaching football with their sons, Nathan and Caleb.
High School Coach of the Year (3A): Jake Fieszel (Gunter High School)
Jake Fieszel graduated from Frisco High School and earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Texas. He has been the head coach and athletic director at Gunter for 18 years where he has amassed an incredible record of 224-31. He has 15 district championships, seven state championship game appearances, and five state championships to his credit including back-to-back wins in Conference 3A-Division 2 in 2023 and 2024.
His wife Taylor has been by his side all this time, and they have three children, Bear, Berkeley and Colbie.
High School Coach of the Year (TAPPS DII): Aaron Beck (All Saints’ Episcopal – Fort Worth)
Aaron Beck began his tenure at All Saints' in 2007, serving as both the Athletic Director and head football coach. Prior to joining All Saints', he was a respected coach and Athletic Director in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where he achieved multiple Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) titles and led numerous teams to outstanding records.
Under Beck's leadership during the 2024 season, the Saints completed a perfect 14-0 record, culminating in the school's first-ever TAPPS Division II state championship. This victory marked the eighth overall state title for All Saints', with the previous seven secured in the SPC.
Beck's exceptional leadership was recognized with the Coach of the Year award, highlighting his significant impact on the team's success. A graduate of LD Bell High School and the University of North Texas, Beck lives in Hurst, Texas, with his wife and they have three children.
About NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas
Founded in 2008, the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas (www.nffdallas.org) is one of 120 nationwide chapters of the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame (www.footballfoundation.org). The NFF is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. NFF programs include Future For Football, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future.
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Media Contact
Gary Peek
gpeek@nffdallas.org
972.465.0173