Sport(s) Football 1994–1995 Forbush HS (NC) (DC) Titles Head coach Position(s) Tight end Spouse Amanda Houston | 1990–1993 Mars Hill Role American Football coach Record 14–11 Name Mike Houston Conference Southern Conference | |
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1996–2000 T. C. Roberson HS (NC) (DC) Team The Citadel Bulldogs football Children Owen Michael Houston, Reid Wilson Houston People also search for Tom Moore, Owen Michael Houston, Reid Wilson Houston |
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Mike Houston (born c. 1971) is an American college football coach, currently serving as head coach of the James Madison Dukes football team. He was named to that position after the 2015 season and subsequently won the 2016 FCS championship against Youngstown State.
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Houston played as a tight end at Mars Hill, where he earned a degree in Biology in 1994. He began his coaching career that fall as defensive coordinator at Forbush High School in East Bend, North Carolina, where he remained for two seasons. He moved to the same position at T. C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina. After six seasons, he was elevated to the head coaching position. In his five years as head coach, he compiled a record of 42–18, including a 5–4 playoff record, and earned the 2002 and 2004 Asheville Citizen-Times Area Coach of the Year awards. In 2004, his team finished the regular season undefeated, falling in the state semifinals and winning the first conference championship in school history. He also served as an assistant coach for the North Carolina team in the 2005 Shrine Bowl, helping lead them to a victory over South Carolina's squad.

In 2006, Houston moved to the Division II college ranks, serving as defensive coordinator and Associate Head Coach at Brevard in their first season of football in 56 years. The Tornados won two games while starting a roster entirely composed of true freshmen. The next season, Houston became defensive coordinator at Lenoir–Rhyne. In his final season as DC, the Bears defense led the South Atlantic Conference in total defense and were fourth in the nation in rushing defense. He was named head coach prior to the 2011 season. In his first season, the Bears finished 7–3, shared the conference title, and earned Houston Coach of the Year honors. The next season, he led the Bears to the Division II playoffs and their first playoff win since 1962 and again earned Coach of the Year honors. In his third and final season, the Bears reached the national championship game, falling 43–28 to undefeated Northwest Missouri State. Houston again was named SAC Coach of the Year and drew interest from several larger programs, as the Bears set an NCAA all-division rushing record.

Houston was hired as the 24th head coach at The Citadel in January 2014. After a 5–7 opening season, he led the 2015 Bulldogs to their first conference championship since 1992, and only third in program history. They also made their first playoff appearance in 23 years. For his efforts, Houston was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year.
