Beginning his fifth season on the WT football staff and fourth as the offensive coordinator is Stephen Lee after working with the quarterbacks in 2011.
In 2013, the Buffs had the most prolific quarterback in school and conference history as senior Dustin Vaughan threw for 5,401 yards and 53 touchdowns. He was the only quarterback in any division this season to throw over 5,000 yards and his 53 touchdown passes was good for third-most all-time in Division II.
In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2012, the Buffs had one of their best seasons in school history as they went 12-3 overall and earned a berth in the NCAA National Semifinal for the first time in school history. Lee guided an offense that ranked eighth nationally in passing (332.00), 12th in total offense (474.93), 13th in passing efficiency (158.36) and 17th in scoring offense (38.6). He had the LSC Offensive Player of the Year in junior quarterback Dustin Vaughan who ranked 10th in total offense (323.4) and 10th in passing efficiency at 158.07 per game. Vaughan earned all-America accolades and was one of eight Harlon Hill Finalists. Lee also had a Gene Upshaw Finalist on the offensive line in Manase Foketi who was picked up by the Denver Broncos immediately following the NFL draft in April.
Not only did Lee and the Buffs continue the passing prowess of recent years, Lee also brought the running game into the fold as senior running back Khiry Robinson led the LSC and rushed for a school-record 1,621 yards. Robinson finished 13th nationally at 124.69 yards per game. Â
Prior to coming to WT, Lee served from 2005-2010 at Brenham (TX) High School. While with the Cubs, he served as Co-Offensive Coordinator/Passing Game and coached quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends. During his six years at Brenham, the Cubs registered five district championships while posting an overall mark of 66-13. In 2005, Lee was an integral part of a team that went 14-1 en route to a Class 4A State semifinal berth and in 2009 was a part of the Cubs’ 13-3 State Finalist team.
From 2000-2005, Lee was an assistant at Howard Payne. From 2003-05, he tutored the Yellowjackets’ defensive ends and tackles, while 2000-2002 saw Lee working on the offensive side of the line with the tight end and running back corps. In 2002, Lee coached the American Southwest Conference Defensive MVP as HPU posted a 9-1 record and a 10th place national ranking, while the 2001 HPU squad posted the top-ranked defense in the ASC. Lee coached HPU’s all-time leading rusher during the 2000 campaign.
Lee served one season (1999) at Western New Mexico, where he was in charge of the running game while also coaching the offensive line and special teams units.
He began his coaching career with a four-year stint at Mertzon, Texas, Irion County High School, serving in the combined roles as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. In 1998, Irion County were district co-champs, while in 1997 they were district champs and bi-district finalists. Lee also served as golf coach from 1996-97, as well as head track & field coach during the 1999 season.
Lee has been a speaker at numerous football camps as well as having a deep involvement with his community.
Lee played collegiately at Angelo State, as a quarterback and fullback, from 1988-92. He received his B.S. in Kinesiology from ASU in 1993 and later received his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Western New Mexico.
A native of Bronte, Texas, Lee and his wife, Molly, are the parents of four children, a son, Jarrett (a former standout at LSU and current San Diego Charger) and three girls, Jordan, Jacy and Katie.
