December 25, 2020, PNGINDIANS.COM –
Former Port Neches-Groves head coach Doug Ethridge, 89, has passed away.
In a 25-year head coaching career that included stops at Dalhart, Monahans, Hobbs, N.M., Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson, and Port Neches-Groves, Ethridge compiled an overall record of 200-83-12, went to the playoffs 11 times and won two state championships.
His Hobbs team captured the 1970 New Mexico title and he added a Texas championship five years later at Port Neches-Groves.
His 1974-77 PN-G teams captured 4 straight district championships, reached the semifinals 4 consecutive times, played in the state championship game twice, and won the 4A state championship in 1975. Included in that incredible run was a 25 game winning streak, the fourth longest in state history at the time. The ’75 state champion team was also ranked as the #3 high school team in the nation.
Twenty three PN-G players were selected to the all-state team during that time with many going on to play for major colleges.
Those PN-G teams remain the most supported in state high school history. Multiple games were attended by over 30,000 fans setting several Astrodome and Texas Stadium attendance records for high school games. The current single game attendance record of 49,953 at Texas Stadium in 1977 still stands.
Athletic director and head coach at PN-G from 1973-1983, he left the Reservation after the 1983 season with a 89-37 record and a lasting place in PN-G football lore.
He retired in 1995 and was previously inducted into the Texas Coaches Hall of Honor in 1989, Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 1997 and is a member of the Port Neches-Groves Football Hall of Honor.
Hobbs Eagles 1968-71
Head Coach: Doug Ethridge
During the late 60’s the Hobbs Eagles were a prep football power to say the least and in the fall of 1970, the Eagles posted their most impressive season that still outlives any of the current success the Eagles have in this day and age. They had lost the 1969 state title against Artesia 21-8 and to open the 1970 season, the ironically played the Artesia Bulldogs. For the sixth straight time leading back to the 1965 season the Bulldogs once again beat the Hobbs Eagles and the ’70 team that was stacked with talent sat at 0-1 to start the season. From the loss the Eagles went on to win 12 game in a row. Wins over Kermit, Texas, Lubbock Coronado, and El Paso Bel Air had Hobbs rolling right into district. They beat Carlsbad, Goddard, Clovis, and Lovington by a combined 164-0. They beat Santa Fe in the semifinals 35-16 and then beat Highland in the finals 20-0. Hobbs would again win the title in 1972.
Coach Ethridge spoke to his former teams during a team reunion. (5:07-9:24)
High School Coaching History
DOUG ETHRIDGE
1960 Dalhart 4-5-1
1961 Dalhart 11-2-0*
1962 Dalhart 10-2-0*
1963 Dalhart 13-1-0*
1964 Monahans 3-4-3
1965 Monahans 6-4-0
1966 Monahans 8-3-2*
1967 Monahans 8-2-0
1968 Hobbs, NM 9-2-0
1969 Hobbs, NM 8-5-0
1970 Hobbs, NM 12-1-0
1971 Hobbs, NM 11-3-0
1972 Port Arthur 7-3-0
1973 Port Neches-Groves 6-4-0
1974 Port Neches-Groves 11-3-0*
1975 Port Neches-Groves 14-1-0*
1976 Port Neches-Groves 13-1-0*
1977 Port Neches-Groves 14-1-0*
1978 Port Neches-Groves 6-4-0
1979 Port Neches-Groves 4-5-1
1980 Port Neches-Groves 7-3-0
1981 Port Neches-Groves 3-7-0
1982 Port Neches-Groves 4-6-0
1983 Port Neches-Groves 6-3-1
1984 Round Rock 2-8-0
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