Chuck Curtis served as Cleburne head football coach and athletic director for a few short years from 1981-83. But they were a record-setting, momentum-building, memory-making three years, according to players, fellow coaches and fans.

Curtis, along with his 1982 state semifinal football team, is being honored by the CHS Ex-Students Association as a homecoming parade marshal. They will lead off tonight’s parade at 6 p.m. in a route that will loop around the high school.

The coach, who will always be remembered for his ability to rally a crowd with one wave of his signature cowboy hat, was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in May. One of eight honorees, which included players from each decade since the 1940s, Curtis was recognized for his 30 years of high school and college coaching.

His football career began as a player — a quarterback for Gainesville High School, where he caught the eyes of several major colleges. He was signed by Texas Christian University’s Abe Martin and continued to play quarterback. His years as a Horned Frog included an appearance at the Cotton Bowl and a victory over opponent Syracuse, which featured a player named Jim Brown in its starting lineup.

Curtis’ reputation as a winning coach was established early in his career. He won three consecutive state championships — 1962 at Jacksboro and 1963 and 1964 at Garland. This record made him the first coach in Texas high school football to win consecutive titles at different schools in different classifications.

The accomplishment also earned him the honor of Texas High School Coach of the Year. His coaching honors also include membership in the Garland High School and TCU Athletic Halls of Fame.

Of his years as a coach, 1958-1988, 15 were spent in high school stadiums including Cleburne’s and also those of Holiday, Grand Prarie and Aledo, culminating in a high school career record of 135-41-3.

His college coaching career included seasons at SMU and UT-Arlington, which immediately followed his three years with the Jackets.

“He has always had a great offensive mind,” said Jerry Cunningham, Wheat Middle School teacher and coach.

Cunningham came to Cleburne with Curtis and later took over the reins of the football program when Curtis left the district.

“Cleburne was our third time together,” Cunningham said. “We started together in 1964 in Garland. He was always a great motivator of coaches and players. He always had a unique presence among his peers — almost an aura.”

Cunningham believes a great part of Curtis’ coaching abilities were influenced by such legends as Tom Landry, Vince Lombardi and Bud Grant, to name a few.

“He was a great player, too,” Cunningham said. “He played for Abe Martin at TCU. Chuck evolved from a rich, old tradition of football.”

Bill Young, whose son Phil now coaches the Jackets, watched his son play for Curtis.

“It was always exciting to go watch a game when Chuck Curtis was coaching,” said Bill Young, whose son Phil was among Curtis’ Yellow Jackets. “He brought excitement to the game. He was a great motivator and always put players in the position where they could perform the best.”

“When he came to Cleburne, he created a whole new atmosphere in athletics, particularly football,” Young said. “When Phil became coach of the Jackets, one of the first people to come see him was Chuck Curtis.”

Phil Young gives Curtis much credit for the impact he has had on his coaching career. Young is a member of the 1982 Jackets, who are also among the homecoming honorees.

“Anybody in the profession has got to say that there was a coach who has influenced their career,” Young said. “Coach Curtis is my biggest influence, other than my dad. You assume all coaches can motivate, but few could do it like Chuck Curtis. I definitely took some of his influence away with me.”

Another former Jacket whose life was affected by Curtis in many ways is Stephen Hafford, offensive coordinator of the Cedar Hill Longhorns, the 2006 Class 5A state champions. Hafford was a sophomore the year the Jackets went to Texas Stadium as state semifinalists and was brought up from the JV to take a spot on the varsity roster.

“Chuck Curtis brought a winning spirit to Cleburne football,” Hafford said. “He was a great motivator, and his personality brought out the best in each player. He was truly a player’s coach.”

“He had players returning to football who had not played in several years,” Hafford said. “He was very fair to the kids. Coach Curtis was the one who gave me the chance to play quarterback at Cleburne High. I would like to thank him for that opportunity.”

Hafford’s mother, Frances, is another Curtis fan who credits him for involving so many students in football and athletics. She was among those in attendance at Curtis’ May 5 induction ceremony into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.

“He went around to all the kids, not just certain ones, encouraging them to come out for football, come out for sports,” she said. “There are a whole lot of men out there today who might not have ever graduated if it weren’t for his desire to get them involved. It helped keep them in school and motivated them to keep their grades up so they could play football and other sports.”

Hafford, who received a personal invitation to the induction ceremony, is probably the only Curtis fan who gets away with calling him “Shorty,” her nickname for the man who was always easily recognized from the sidelines because of his tall frame and that trademark cowboy hat.

“He is a big guy, and you could hardly miss him in that big hat,” Cunningham said. “The crowd and the kids always responded when he would wave his cowboy hat. It was like a silent rally cry — ‘It’s time to give us support’ — and he usually waved it when we were trying to stop somebody from going in.”

“It was just another one of those little things that still makes him such a big presence everywhere he goes,” Cunningham said. “When he walks into a room, everyone knows he’s there. There’s just something about ol’ Chuck. He’s a great friend and a great man.”