Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News HOUSTON — Mike Hedrick spent more than four decades coaching Texas high school football, but his impact went far beyond the wins. On Saturday, the late former Franklin head coach was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor during the organization’s 66th annual banquet at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Hedrick was one of seven coaches selected for the 2026 class. A Franklin native, Hedrick finished his 44-year head coaching career with a record of 307-163-11. He became just the 11th coach in Texas history to reach 300 victories. His career included stops at Chapel Hill and Leon before he returned home to lead the Franklin Lions in 2006. Over the next 14 seasons, Hedrick guided Franklin to a 129-40 record and nine district championships. The biggest moment came in 2015, when the Lions went undefeated through the first 15 games and reached the state championship for the first time in school history. Franklin finished that season 15-1 after falling to Waskom, 33-21, in the Class 3A Division II title game at NRG Stadium. Current Franklin head coach Mark Fannin was by Hedrick’s side during that run and later succeeded him following his retirement in 2019. Fannin said the joy Hedrick showed during that season is something he will always remember. “Seeing the excitement on his face, that will live with me for a lifetime,” Fannin said. Hedrick also had a deep connection to Franklin football long before becoming its head coach. He played running back and quarterback for the Lions under his father, Joe Hedrick, and later coached on the field that bears his father’s name. Hedrick died in November 2024 at age 75. His Hall of Honor induction placed him among the most respected coaches in Texas high school athletics while giving Franklin another chance to remember a coach who helped shape generations of players, assistants and families.