Congratulations to the Class of 2024

Melvin Houston | 1985-2002 | Coronado High School | Cross Country and Track & Field Coach

If you had to guess, you might say Coach Houston has always been coaching Cross Country and Track & Field at Coronado High School. He has a love for Cross Country and Track that may be unmatched in the history of Lubbock ISD. He has passed that love and knowledge on to countless young people in his years as a coach. Coach Houston began his career at a junior high in Midland in 1969, teaching PE and Texas History, while coaching football, basketball and track. In 1974, he moved to El Paso where he coached in junior high for a year before taking over at El Paso Riverside High School as the Girls and Boys Cross Country Coach. His 1974 Girls Team was second in Regionals and fifth in State. The Boys Team in 1977 won the District Championship, placed second in Regionals and finished third at State. Coach Houston arrived in Lubbock in 1979, as the Intramural Director and PE and Health teacher at Coronado High School. From 1981-84, he served as the Assistant Girls Basketball Coach and the Assistant Girls Track Coach. In 1985, Houston was named as the Head Coach of the Coronado Girls Cross Country and Track & Field programs. He would remain in that role for 17 years, producing amazing results and athletes. He led the Lady Mustangs Cross Country program to six District Championships and eight Runner-Up finishes, the 2000 Regional Championship, and two appearances at the State Meet, finishing fifth in 1988 and sixth in 1997. In 2001, one of his runners, Mindy Sullivan, broke the Class 5A State Cross Country Record with a time of 10:43.3. He also led the Coronado Girls Track & Field program to a pair of District Titles and four Runner-Up finishes. The Lady Mustangs finished third at the Regional Meet and 18th at State in 1990. Mindy Sullivan would continue to star for Coach Houston in 2001, by setting a State Record in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:08.38. In 2002, she finished second in the State Meet in that same race. Coach Houston’s devotion, commitment and success were an inspiration to generations of Cross Country and Track & Field athletes at Coronado, as well as other coaches. Coronado and Lubbock ISD were blessed to have Coach Melvin Houston to lead our young people and we are proud to induct him into the Lubbock ISD Athletic Hall of Honor.
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