Shealy started program in 2012, was longest-tenured coach in the Southland
Houston, Texas, Nov. 21, 2022 — HCU Head Football Coach Vic Shealy has resigned after nine seasons and 10 years at the University. Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University (HBU), underwent a name change in September 2022.
“We will always be grateful to Vic Shealy for his historic contributions to HCU athletics and especially to our football program. He will forever be known as the founding coach of HCU football. Vic is a man of great integrity, and we wish God’s blessings on him and his wife Holly. He has been not only a good colleague, but a great friend,” said HCU President Robert Sloan.
Shealy was the longest-tenured head coach in the Southland Conference, after being named HCU’s first-ever football coach in April of 2012, leading the Huskies through a developmental season in 2013, then nine official seasons from 2014 to 2022. He had an 18-75 record at the school, going 7-59 in conference play, and finished this year with a 2-9 mark.
“We are extremely appreciative of all Vic has done for HCU in starting this program from scratch and making a positive impact in a lot of young men’s lives,” Moniaci said. “He will forever be remembered as the first head coach in HCU Football history and we commend him for taking on this challenge in one of the toughest Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conferences in the country. We wish him and his wife, Holly, all the best on their next endeavor,” announced Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci on Monday.
During Shealy’s tenure at HCU, the late Garrett Dolan was the Huskies’ first All-American, earning the honors twice in 2016 and 2017. Two others would follow in earning All-America status – Andre Walker, who led the nation in sacks and was the FCS ADA Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2019, and kick returner Gamar Girdy Brito. Two former Huskies have gone on to play in the NFL, as Caleb Johnson was the first to play in a game with the Bears in 2021 and currently with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Bailey Zappe was the first Husky selected in the NFL Draft, going in the fourth round to the New England Patriots in 2022, then won two of the three games he started this year. The Huskies have had 37 all-conference and 14 academic all-conference selections (2022 awards will be announced later this week).
“Holly and I have a lot of gratitude toward Dr. (Robert) Sloan and Steve Moniaci for giving us an opportunity to start a football program here,” Shealy said. “The support from the staff and faculty has been tremendous, for us as coaches and players, to give us a foundation for the program. I understand we’re in a game where the scoreboard matters at this level. There are things I wish we had accomplished before I left, but there are a lot of things we did accomplish that I’m proud of. My hope is the next coach can come in, pick up where we left off and help these players realize those goals they had when they got here can still be achieved.”
HCU will immediately begin a search for Shealy’s successor. Long-time assistant coach, Roger Hinshaw, who is the only remaining member of the original coaching staff, will serve as interim head coach.