More than a decade after his controversial departure from West Texas A&M, former Buffs' head football coach Don Carthel is finally receiving the recognition many believe is long overdue. The school announced Monday that Carthel will be inducted into the WTAMU Hall of Champions as part of the 2025 class, alongside seven other honorees.
For Buffs fans and former players, this induction serves as both a celebration of Carthel’s impact on the program and a sign that WTAMU is ready to put the past behind them. After all, Carthel wasn’t just another coach—he was a program builder, a leader, and the architect of one of the most successful eras in Buffs football history.
A Career Built on Winning
Before arriving in Canyon, Carthel had already built an impressive résumé with coaching stops at Floydada, Lubbock Christian, UTEP, and Eastern New Mexico. He even had a stint with the Amarillo Dusters, proving his ability to adapt and succeed at various levels of football.
Originally from Dimmitt, Texas, Carthel’s love for the game started early, and after playing college football at Eastern New Mexico, he dedicated his life to coaching. In 2005, he took over as head coach at WTAMU, and what followed was nothing short of remarkable.
Over eight seasons, Carthel led the Buffs to a 79-22 record, six playoff appearances, and a trip to the national semifinals in 2012. His leadership earned him Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year honors four times, and he played a key role in growing the school’s football program into a respected name in Division II football.
His impact extended beyond wins and losses. Carthel built a culture of success, excitement, and competitiveness that made WTAMU football a force to be reckoned with. His son, Colby Carthel, joined the staff in 2006 as defensive coordinator, and together, the father-son duo created one of the best stretches of football in Buffs history.
The Controversial Exit
Despite his success, Carthel’s tenure at WTAMU came to an abrupt and shocking end in 2013. The university fired him for violating NCAA Division II Bylaw 10.1, which emphasizes honesty and sportsmanship among coaches and student-athletes.
The issue stemmed from an incident during Lone Star Conference Media Days in the summer of 2013. While in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Carthel and two players attended a Texas Rangers baseball game. Carthel initially paid for the tickets but asked the players to reimburse him once they returned home to avoid violating NCAA rules.
The controversy arose when then-athletic director Michael McBroom questioned Carthel about when the reimbursements took place. Carthel insisted they had been paid before the game and instructed his players to say the same. That discrepancy led to his dismissal—a decision that left many in the WTAMU community frustrated and confused.
At the time, the firing seemed like an overreaction for what some viewed as a minor NCAA infraction. But the damage was done, and Carthel was out.
A Second Act in Coaching
Even after his departure from WTAMU, Carthel wasn’t finished with football. In 2015, his son Colby took the head coaching job at Texas A&M-Commerce (now East Texas A&M) and brought his father on staff as a quality control coach.
Together, the Carthels led the program to a national championship in 2017, proving that Don Carthel’s football mind was as sharp as ever.
Later, Colby took the head coaching job at Stephen F. Austin State University, and once again, Don joined his son’s staff in a similar role. Ironically, Michael McBroom—the same athletic director who fired Carthel at WTAMU—was now the AD at SFA, working alongside the very coaches he once parted ways with.
Mending Fences and Honoring a Legacy
Time has a way of healing old wounds, and it seems WTAMU is ready to make things right by honoring Carthel’s legacy. The announcement of his Hall of Champions induction feels like an acknowledgment that, despite the circumstances surrounding his exit, his impact on the program was undeniable.
WTAMU’s social media post calling it a “long overdue honor” suggests that the school recognizes what many have believed for years—Carthel was instrumental in shaping Buffs football, and his contributions deserve to be celebrated.
For Carthel, this induction is more than just an award; it’s a return to the program he helped build. While his time at WTAMU ended under controversy, his legacy as a winner, a leader, and a program builder is now permanently cemented in Buffs history.
