Butch Ford has confirmed to The Old Coach that he is retiring. The North Texas State graduate has been roaming the sidelines for 39 years.

The longtime assistant took over the Bobcat program as the head coach in 2002 after G.A. Moore left for Pilot Point, his alma mater, about 10 miles down the road from Celina. Ford had worked under Moore for 25 years as an assistant. In fact, Ford was a standout player at Pilot Point for Moore.

Ford was the Bobcat's defensive coordinator during Celina's four consecutive state-title seasons where the Bobcats had won 57 straight games heading into the 2002 season.

Celina compiled 2A state titles in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 under then head coach G.A. Moore with Ford as an assistant. The UIL realignment bumped Celina up to Class 3A for the 2002 season. Ford kept the Bobcats rolling even as they were the smallest school in Class 3A in 2002.

Under Ford the Class 3A powerhouse Bobcats captured state titles in 2005 and 2007.

Coach Ford tells The Old Coach that Celina will promote from within. The new head coach will be Bill Elliott, offensive coordinator.

Elliott, who is a TCU graduate and former player, just completed his 20th season coaching.

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