“They’re just a special group of kids that cared about each other, cared about our program, cared about PNG football,” he said. “They had great character, great integrity, were fun to be around, fun to coach, and when you have a group like that, not only does it make it fun to come to work everyday but fun to go to practice. Man, I really enjoyed watching them play on Friday nights.”
– Coach Faircloth
Former Head Coach and Athletic Director Brandon Faircloth was hired as the 19th head coach in the then 84 year history of PN-G football on February 4, 2009.
In 13 seasons as head coach of the Indians, Coach Faircloth achieved an overall record of 102-51 (.667) with 12 playoff appearances in 13 seasons at PN-G. Faircloth was the first head coach in PN-G’s 97 year football history to reach 100 wins.
Prior to his time at PN-G, Coach Faircloth was credited as a major reason for Odessa Permian’s return to prominence in past years. 
As offensive coordinator at Permian, Faircloth helped coach a team that averaged 42.6 points through 13 games in 2008, the last game a 28-22 loss to eventual Class 5A Division I state champion Allen.
In only his first season at PN-G, Coach Faircloth led his team to a perfect 10-0 regular season record, only the third head coach to achieve that mark in PN-G history, and an 11-1 overall record losing only to an eventual state finalist team.
He was named the 2009 Coach of The Year by 20-4A coaches and selected by the Beaumont Enterprise as the Super Gold Coach of the Year. He was recognized as the 2009 4A Coach of the Year by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.
In 2010, the Indians reached the 3rd round (regional) of the 4A playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons and finished as Area champions with an 8-5 record. Faircloth was later selected to serve as Team USA offensive coordinator in the second annual Team USA-vs.-The World all-star game.
Game Time
In 2011, the Indians reached the 1st round (bi-district) of the 4A playoffs and finished with a 7-4 record.
In 2012 Faircloth was again selected to serve as Team USA offensive coordinator for the annual Team USA-vs.-The World all-star game. Key injuries resulted in a 2-8 record, the only losing reason of his tenure.
In 2013 and 2014, the Indians finished each season with a 7-4 record and bi-district playoff appearances. As head coach, Faircloth led the 2014 U.S. Under-19 National Team to a 43-7 win over Canada.
In 2015 a high powered offense featuring QB Adam Morse, receivers Jack Giblin, Caisen Sullivan and running back Kody Cropper finished with a 9-3 record, co-district championship and bi-district championship. Faircloth was selected as co-coach of the year by fellow 22-5A coaches and Morse finished his career as co-MVP and the all-time leader in passing yardage at PN-G.
Coach Faircloth was also chosen as the head coach of the Under-17 U.S. National Team representing the United States in the 2016 International Bowl.
In 2016, through 13 games, the Indians compiled an 11-2 record, brought home the Bum Phillips Bowl trophy, earned a share of the 22-5A district championship, and won the Bi-district championship, Area championship, and appeared in the regional semi-final game.
In 2017 the Indians averaged a PN-G record 48.25 point per game and once again captured a district championship while compiling an 8-1 record in a storm shortened regular season. The Indians won a 72-69 bi-district shootout against the Crosby Cougars and captured a 24-17 area win over the Texas City Stingarees before dropping the regional semifinal game to College Station to finish the season at 10-2.
In 2018 the Indians finished with a win over every district 12-5A opponent, but were forced to forfeit one game. Despite that setback, the Indians went on to beat undefeated arch rival Nederland and claim the Bum Phillips Bowl trophy and a share of the district title. The Indians then defeated Houston Northside 48-7 for the bi-district championship, defeated Lindale 50-28 for the Area championship, and dropped a 53-14 loss to the eventual state finalist Fort Bend Marshall Buffalos. He was invited as Quarterback Coach for the 2018 Under Armour All-American game.
In 2019 Coach Faircloth led an injury plagued team to a 7-4 record, a convincing Bum Phillips Bowl win, and a bi-district playoff appearance against eventual state finalist Fort Bend Marshall. He was selected as 2019 Super Team Coach of The Year by the PA News in recognition of that effort. Capturing his 89th PN-G career win in 2019, he surpassed legendary Coach Doug Ethridge as the second winningest head coach in PN-G history.
In 2020, a season affected by the Covid pandemic and beginning a month late, the Indians finished with a 5-6 record and 4th place in district. Highlights of the season included retaining the Bum Phillips Bowl trophy with a win over Nederland, and a dominant showing in the playoffs which still fell short.
In 2021 Coach Faircloth won his 97th game against the Dayton Broncos on October 1, 2021 to become the winningest head coach in PN-G football history. He led an underrated team to a 6-4 regular season record and a 2-1 playoff record which included his 102nd career win over the #7 ranked and previously undefeated Montgomery Bears in the Area playoff game. Prior to the season, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine predicted the Indians would finish in fifth place in District 12-5A Division II and miss the playoffs for the first time in eight years. The Indians averaged 38.7 points per game and finished 8-5 (4-3 in district) which was good enough for third place. They continued winning and made it to the third round of the playoffs for the fourth time since 2016. For the first time in PN-G football history the Indians finished a season with a 3,000 yard passer (Cole Crippen) , 1700+ yard rusher (Koby Trahan) and a 1300+ yard receiver (Chance Prosperie).
42 PN-G players were selected for all-state recognition, and 1 All-American during Coach Faircloth’s tenure. Academic All-State recognition has also been received for many more players over the years.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
- Masters Degree in Sports Management, Bachelors degree Kinesiology and Mathematics
- 2000-2001 – Austin Westlake, Freshman coach
- 2002-2005 – Highland Park, Running backs coach (2005 Division 4A state championship)
- 2006-2008 – Odessa Permian, Offensive Coordinator and QB coach
ACCOLADES
Team
5 District Championships, 12 Playoff Appearances
42 All-State Players. 1 All-American player
2009 District Champions, Bi-District Champions, Area Finalist
2010 Bi-District, Area Champions, Regional Semifinalist
2011 District Runner-up, Bi-District Playoffs
2013 Bi-District Playoffs
2014 District Runner-up, Bi-District Playoffs
2015 District Champions. Bi-District Champions, Area Finalist
2016 District Champions, Bi-District Champions, Area Champions, Regional Semifinalist
2017 District Champions, Bi-District Champions, Area Champions, Regional Semifinalist
2018 District Champions, Bi-District Champions, Area Champions, Regional Semifinalist
2019 Bi-District Playoffs
2020 Bi-District Playoffs
2021 Bi-District Champions, Area Champions, Regional Semifinalist
Individual
2011 U.S. National Team Offensive Coordinator
2012 U.S. National Team Offensive Coordinator
2013 U.S. National Team Offensive Coordinator
2014 U.S. National Team Head Coach
2016 U.S. National Team Head Coach
2018 Under Armour All-American Game Quarterbacks Coach
2009 20-4A Coach of the Year, Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Coach of the Year
2009 Texas Football Magazine Class 4A Coach of the Year
2015 22-5A Co-Coach of the Year
2019 Port Arthur News Super Team Coach of the Year
INTERVIEWS
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