Philip Danaher

Highschool Football Coaching Legend Left Lasting Legacy

Philip C. Danaher emerged as a titan in Texas high school football coaching. Hailing from Corpus Christi, Texas, Danaher's journey began at Harlingen High School, where he excelled as a student-athlete before earning a football scholarship at Angelo State University. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in August 1971, Danaher embarked on a coaching career, initially as an assistant at Edison High School in San Antonio. 

In 1974, Danaher secured his first head coaching position at Dilley, Texas, swiftly making an impact by clinching a district championship in his inaugural season. His coaching prowess continued to flourish at Hamshire-Fannett High School, where he led the Longhorns to multiple district titles and deep playoff runs. 

However, it was at Calallen High School where Danaher etched his name into the annals of football history. Taking the helm of a program starved of playoff success for nearly three decades, Danaher orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. Under his guidance, Calallen notched an unprecedented streak of 16 consecutive seasons with ten or more wins, a feat unmatched in Texas high school football history. 

Danaher's milestone victories piled up, including his 300th win in 2004, solidifying his status as one of the state's coaching legends. By 2010, he ascended to second place in the all-time Texas high school wins list, trailing only the legendary G. A. Moore’s 426 wins. Then, on November 3, 2016, Danaher etched his name in the record books once more, as his Calallen Wildcats secured his 427th win, making him the winningest coach in Texas high school football history. 

Danaher was the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor Inductee in 2015 and earned the Tom Landry Award in 2017.  

Despite the accolades, Danaher's commitment to molding young athletes extended beyond victories on the field. His influence reverberated through generations, instilling values of discipline, resilience, and teamwork in his players. As his illustrious career continues, Phil Danaher remains a beacon of inspiration for the football community, epitomizing the true spirit of the game.