ABOUT T.J.

T.J. Mills was one of the only two coaches in Texas High School Football history to lead a team to an unprecedented four straight state championships, from 1993 to 1997, as head coach of the Sealy High Tigers in Class 3A. Sealy was the first team to ever accomplish such a feat.

T.J. coached at Sealy for 14 years. Over the years, his Sealy team achieved a record of 63-1 throughout his coaching tenure, with a streak of 24 straight playoff victories. They reached the title game again in 1999.

After the 1999 season ended, T.J. left Sealy with an overall record of 148-38-0 and went on to coach the Odessa Permian Panthers for a short span. He then returned to the Houston area to coach at La Porte. T.J. ended his career with 195-78 career wins. In 23 years as a head coach, his teams had advanced to the playoffs 15 times including 12 district championships. He finally retired in 2005.

T.J.’s legendary coaching achievements have been recognized at the district and state level. He was selected as District Coach of the Year on numerous occasions and as the Texas Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year four times. He was also named the Fab Knit Coach of the Year four times. In addition, he was selected as a “Coach Who Makes a Difference” by High School Extra. T.J. served as chairman of the All-Star

Selection Committee in 1987 and 1988. From 1990 to 1992, T.J. also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association. He was later inducted into the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association Hall of Honor. In 2014, T.J. became the third individual from Pasadena High School to be inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor, an honor also bestowed to his former coach at Pasadena High SchoolRobert “Bob” Barfield and Stoney Phillips.

Growing up in the city of Pasadena, T.J.’s childhood consisted of playing Little League baseball and football with the Pasadena Eagles football under the Friday night lights. He knew the names of every player and considered them his heroes.

T.J. never forgot where he came from. He loved to talk about the education he received as a student attending Pasadena ISD schools, along with the support he received from teachers and coaches alike. The support he received over the years from staff and family manifested into pride, integrity and a desire to be the best at whatever challenge he faced. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1972.

T.J. attended Texas State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Math in 1977. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Becky Chambers, and had three beautiful daughters together, Cortney, Kelly and Kasey. T.J. also became a math educator for Pasadena ISD and shared the philosophy he learned to all of the students he taught.

T.J. died in 2015 of a heart attack at the age of 60. But he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Texas high school coaches of our time.