Paul Jette’s celebration of life page as a Texas Longhorn football player.
Paul‘s daughter wrote his obituary and did the graphics. Beautiful.
Paul Eldridge Jette IV
February 3, 1955 – June 26, 2026
Paul Jette IV, beloved husband, father, grandfather, coach, mentor, and faithful servant of Christ, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family after a courageous battle with dementia. He was 71 years old.
Born on February 3, 1955, in Kermit, Texas, Paul spent his early years in West Texas before his family settled in Devine, where he graduated from Devine High School. There, he had the unique privilege of playing football under the guidance of his father, legendary high school coach Paul Jette III. The lessons his father instilled—discipline, humility, perseverance, and leading by example—became the foundation of Paul’s life. He would go on to spend decades passing those same values to generations of young men, continuing a family legacy of coaching, leadership, and service.
Paul’s athletic talent earned him a scholarship to the University of Texas, where he proudly played defensive back for the Longhorns from 1974–1976 under legendary coaches Darrell Royal and Fred Akers. A three-year letterman, Paul cherished wearing the Burnt Orange, but it was never the recognition that mattered most to him. He loved the brotherhood of football, the discipline it required, and the lifelong friendships it created.
After graduating from Texas with a degree in Business Administration, Paul briefly considered a career in business before realizing his true calling was coaching. What began as a graduate assistant position at the University of Texas became a distinguished collegiate coaching career spanning more than two decades. Along the way, he coached at some of the nation’s premier football programs, including the University of Texas, Oklahoma State, the University of Miami, Auburn University, the University of Wisconsin, East Carolina University, Baylor University, and Texas Christian University. He worked alongside many of college football’s most respected coaches and earned a reputation as an outstanding teacher of the game, but even more importantly, as a mentor who invested deeply in the lives of his players.
To thousands of young men, he was simply “Coach.” Long after the games ended, players continued to seek his advice, encouragement, and friendship. Paul believed football was never just about winning—it was about building character, teaching discipline, and preparing young men for life.
In 1977, Paul married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Vicki. Together they built a beautiful marriage that lasted nearly 49 years, rooted in unwavering faith, unconditional love, and steadfast commitment. While football was his profession, family was always his highest calling. His greatest accomplishment was the life he and Vicki built together.
Paul was the proud father of Allison, Katharyn, Quinn, Will, and David. Nothing brought him greater joy than becoming “Poppy” to his eight beloved grandchildren: Emory Grace, Collins, Victoria, Violet, John Eldridge, August, Ward, and Isaac. Whether cheering from the sidelines, sharing stories, celebrating milestones, or cheering on his beloved longhorns, his greatest happiness came from being surrounded by his family.
His faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of his life. As a devoted member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Castroville, Paul quietly lived out his faith through service, mentorship, and compassion. He believed every person deserved encouragement, dignity, and love, and he sought every day to reflect Christ through the way he treated others.
Those who knew Paul will remember his quiet strength, humility, integrity, gentle spirit, and unwavering devotion to God and family. He never sought the spotlight, preferring instead to celebrate the successes of others. His life was defined not by wins and losses, but by the countless lives he influenced through his example.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Jette III and Ramona Jette, and his beloved sister, Donna.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki; his children, Allison, Katharyn, Quinn, Will, and David; his cherished grandchildren, Emory Grace, Collins, Victoria, Violet, John Eldridge, August, Ward, and Isaac; his sister, Nancy Paine of Houston, Texas; along with countless former players, colleagues, parishioners, and dear friends who were blessed to know him.
Though his family grieves the loss of an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, coach, mentor, and friend, they find comfort in knowing he has been welcomed into the arms of his Savior and reunited with his parents and sister.
Paul’s legacy lives on every time a coach chooses to invest in a player beyond the game, every time his children and grandchildren choose integrity over convenience, every time the Texas Longhorns take the field, and every life that is changed by the lessons he taught.
For three generations, the Jette name stood for character, leadership, faith, and service. Paul was first coached by his father, then devoted his own life to coaching others. His story reminds us that the greatest legacy is never measured by championships or accolades, but by the lives we shape, the family we cherish, and the faith we leave behind.
His family imagines him now in perfect peace—reunited with his parents and sister, free from the burdens of dementia, and likely enjoying the finest round of golf of his life before kickoff on a Saturday in heaven.
Remembering Paul Jette
By Larry Carlson
Larry’s article is written in blue font. Quotes from teammates and friends are in a brownish font.
Allen David – Sorry to hear about Paul’s passing. He was a great teammate and a fine coach.
Billy Schott says, Sad news, indeed, Larry. Paul was a great teammate and friend. He became a leader from the first day he set foot on the practice field and was very much like then-future Longhorns Blake Gideon and Michael Taaffe with his knowledge of the game, toughness and overall savvy. Horns up in his honor and to his memory
Jerry Giles A member of my class has gone too soon. I remember him and Joe Samford. Rest in peace Paul.
Leonard Messina – Very sad news. Paul was a great teammate.
Charlie Mauldin- Little Paul, as he was known in his hometown of Wink, grew up across the street from me on Langley Way, now known as Roy Orbison Dr. He was always feisty, self assured and an outstanding athlete. He started at UT about the time I left. His dad coached me in B team football and then moved up and coached varsity when I was a junior. Coach Jett was part of the Wink 1953 Class A state championship football team. Many times we watched a 16 mm film of him running into a goal post after catching a touchdown pass!
Lionell Johnson –Condolences to my brother from another mother. May God be with
Roddy McIver – Little Paul was a great kid and his dad was my coach in the (60’s) in Wink. I know that his dad was very proud of him and the job he did coaching in several college programs. Praying for his family and their loss.
Perry Giles- A member of my class gone too soon. I remember him and Joe Samford. Rest in peace Paul.
Jeff Wisenbaker – In addition to football at Devine High School, Paul played on the golf team with me. He was a “natural”. Along with his dad, Coach Jette, we started a chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Devine.
