Michael Leon Tolleson Obituary

Texas Longhorns Era (1998–2011)

We are sad to announce that on April 23, 2026 we had to say goodbye to Michael Leon Tolleson of Kyle, Texas.

He was predeceased by: his parents, Wilbur “Wibby” Tolleson and Elizabeth Bunn Tolleson; and his sister Suzan Stubbs. He is survived by: his wife Wilda Winn Tolleson; his daughter Michelle Johnson (Scott); his grandchildren, Cayden and Devon of Alabama; his daughter Shannon Liles (Todd); his grandchildren, Willa and Everett of Texas; his daughter Heather Tolleson (Steve Dubov) of Texas; and his sisters, Gail Todt and Angie Barr.

The family has chosen to send donations to American Cancer Society – “Donate and Fight Colon Cancer!”.

• 2005 National Championship (Rose Bowl vs. USC)
• 12 straight bowl games
• Nine consecutive 10‑win seasons
• Two BCS National Championship Game appearances (2005, 2009)
• National leader in:
  • Pass efficiency defense (2000)
  • Total defense (2001)
  • Sacks (2008)
• Rushing defense improved from 241.5 yds/game (1997) to 72.4 yds/game (2009) — a staggering transformation

 

Coach Mike Tolleson — 40-year coaching veteran, National Champion, Hall of Famer, devoted husband, proud father, and one of the most beloved figures ever to walk the sidelines of Texas Longhorn football — passed away peacefully on April 23, 2026, at his home in Kyle, Texas. He was surrounded by his loved ones, wrapped in the love of the family he cherished. Known to virtually everyone in his life as “Tolly,” Coach Tolleson built a career of remarkable breadth and distinction — but it was the way he made people feel that defined him most.

Early Life & Education

Michael Leon Tolleson was born and raised in Anniston, Alabama, the only son of Wilbur “Wibby” and Elizabeth Bunn Tolleson. He grew up alongside three sisters — Gail, Angie, and Suzan.

At Anniston High School, Tolleson earned the nickname “The Bull” on the gridiron. A three-year member of the “A” Club, he lettered in football in 1963, ’64, and ’65. He was named All-NEAC in 1965, twice named All-Calhoun County (1964 and 1965), and twice named All-State (1964 and 1965). Listed in the yearbook’s Who’s Who as Most Athletic, he also lettered in wrestling and track. He graduated in 1966.

Tolleson went on to play as a standout linebacker at Tampa University before transferring to Delta State University, where he lettered in football and track from 1968–70. He earned his B.S. in Secondary Education with a Physical Education major from Delta State in 1970, then attended Livingston University (now the University of West Alabama) for graduate school, making the Dean’s List and earning his Master’s in Education in 1973.

During those Alabama years, Tolleson married the former Wilda Sue Winn of Ohatchee and Anniston — a former Miss OHS, first runner-up in the 1965 Miss Calhoun County Football Queen Contest, a two-year Marching Ballerina at Jacksonville State University, and an honors graduate of JSU. Mrs. Tolleson began as an English and drama teacher at Anniston High School, Mike’s alma mater. Theirs was a partnership that endured every move, every season, and every chapter of a coaching life that spanned the continent. Their first daughter, Michelle, was born in Anniston; Shannon arrived during their Louisiana Tech stint; and Heather was born in Arkansas during the Razorback years — three daughters whose lives were woven into the fabric of a career spent on the road and on the sidelines.

A Career Across America: 40 Years on the Sidelines

Tolleson’s coaching career was one of extraordinary range and longevity. He began as a student assistant at Delta State, then served as an assistant at Lineville High School before moving to Livingston University as a graduate assistant in 1972. He went on to coach at Guntersville High (1973) and Minor High in Birmingham (1974–75).

Returning to college football, he served as an assistant and then assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Livingston University (1976–78), followed by defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech in 1979. From 1980–83, Tolleson joined Head Coach Lou Holtz as linebackers and defensive line coach at the University of Arkansas, where he helped mold a Razorback defense that ranked first in the nation in scoring defense in 1982, with bowl appearances at the Sugar Bowl, Hall of Fame Bowl, Gator Bowl, and Bluebonnet Bowl.

In 1984, Tolleson entered the professional ranks as defensive line coach with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL — a squad that led the league in total defense, rushing defense, and pass defense, capturing the Southern Division title in both 1984 and 1985 and the Eastern Conference championship in 1985. When the USFL folded, Tolleson joined Coach Dennis Green at Stanford University (1989–91), helping lead the Cardinal to the 1991 Aloha Bowl. He then served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at UTEP (1992) and defensive ends coach at Southern Miss (1993–94) before joining Louisiana State University in 1995.

During three seasons at LSU, Tolleson and coordinator Carl Reese led the SEC in scoring defense. Coach Tolly guided both of his starting tackles — Chuck Wiley (a two-time first-team All-SEC performer) and Anthony “Booger” McFarland — to All-SEC honors. LSU ranked 11th nationally in scoring defense in 1997 and attended the Peach Bowl and twice the Independence Bowl during his tenure.

Home at Last: The University of Texas Longhorns

In 1998, Tolleson and Carl Reese joined Head Coach Mack Brown’s staff at the University of Texas — and Tolly found his home. Over thirteen seasons as defensive tackles coach and later special teams coordinator, he became a cornerstone of one of college football’s greatest eras. The Longhorns earned 12 straight bowl bids, nine consecutive 10-win seasons (an all-time UT record and second-longest streak in NCAA history), and two BCS National Championship game appearances.

The pinnacle came on January 4, 2006, when the Texas Longhorns defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to claim the BCS National Championship for the 2005 season — one of the most celebrated games in college football history. Coach Tolleson earned his National Championship ring that night. The Longhorns also completed an undefeated regular season in 2009 before falling to Alabama in the national title game.

Tolleson’s impact on the defensive line was transformational. He helped reduce rushing yards allowed from 241.5 per game in 1997 to a national-leading 72.4 yards per game in 2009. The Texas defense led the nation in pass efficiency (2000), total defense (2001), and sacks (2008). He was a nominee for the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2002 and won the Special Teams Coordinator of the Year Award in 2009.

The proof of his influence is found in the NFL careers of his protégés: Casey Hampton and Marcus Tubbs both played major roles in Super Bowl XL; Shaun Rogers and Hampton combined for eight Pro Bowl appearances; and Lamarr Houston, Roy Miller, Frank Okam, Derek Lokey, Rod Wright, Cedric Benson, Cedric Woodard, David Thomas, Colt McCoy, Malcolm Brown, Justin Tucker, and TV analyst Anthony “Booger” McFarland all built careers shaped in part by Coach Tolly’s guidance.

I was blessed to have worked 3 years with Coach Tolly and the defensive tackles at Texas during my college days with our last game together culminating in the 2005 national championship victory. He preached “Ball Get Off” or “BGO” and sure enough even in that last victory it proved critical. He was a special coach and I learned a lot being in the trenches at practice with Coach Tolly and the DTs! But it would be years later when Coach Tolly made another special impression in my life. When I was visiting with him about my then 6 year old son, he very quickly told me that “everyday is like Christmas when they are that age”. That line has stuck with me ever since and served me as a reminder to be present and to love those special days with my son and those that we love. Thank you Coach! We miss you! Hook ‘Em! Nick Tarantino

Honors & Recognition

After his retirement from UT in September 2015 — following almost 20 years with the University of Texas system and 40+ years in coaching overall — Tolleson’s alma mater Delta State University honored him with their prestigious Distinguished Statesman Award. He was inducted into the Delta State University Athletic Alumni Association’s Alumni Coaches & Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2019, Tolleson was inducted into the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame, an honor from his own state of Alabama.

The Man Behind the Coach

Those who knew Tolly knew his creed: “Keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart.” In the pressure-cooker world of major college football, he was the one who reminded everyone around him to find joy in what they were doing. His smile came easily, his laugh came often, and both had a way of settling a room.

Coach Tolleson was known above all else for putting people first — before wins, before statistics, before recognition. Former players did not simply remember his defensive schemes; they remembered the way he saw them as people before he ever saw them as players. He was an Elvis Presley devotee who once performed as an Elvis impersonator for team entertainment. He loved horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, old Western movies — especially John Wayne and Hopalong Cassidy — and, most of all, spending time with his family. The Tollesons were members of Fellowship Church at Plum Creek in Kyle, Texas.

I recently heard a song that makes me think of Coach Tolly. “Brand New Star” by the Oakridge Boys. Coach… your outlook on life was contagious and your love for your guys was evident. Never afraid to tell your players you loved them, what a legacy you leave in your wake. I have thought of you a lot lately and my heart hurts, that men like you are leaving this earth. Men that act like men, the way God intended. Kind to kids, respectful to all, a gentleman to ladies, and an ass kicker on the football field. I regret we never got to ride across my dad’s ranch with a cold beer in our hands like we talked about many times, but I can imagine it in my mind and that brings a smile. Rest easy Coach, your memory lives through your guys!

The Pride and the Winning Tradition of the Texas Longhorns will not be entrusted to the weak nor the timid.

With Love!
Matt Trissel

His daughter Heather captured him perfectly in a poem she wrote for him after 2002, titled “Everyday Hero” — words that ring truer today than ever: “His decency is his badge, his honor is his glory, and the integrity found in his most loyal heart is not something to be found in most anyone else.”

Survivors

Coach Tolleson is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Wilda Winn Tolleson; his daughter Michelle Johnson (Scott) and her children Cayden and Devon, of Alabama; his daughter Shannon Liles (Todd) and her children Willa and Everett, of Texas; and his daughter Heather Tolleson (Steve Dubov), of Texas. He is also survived by his sisters Gail Todt and Angie Barr. Michael is preceded in death by his sister, Suzan Stubbs, and parents, Wilbur and Elizabeth Tolleson.