Howard Payne University issued the following press release Monday morning:

The Howard Payne University athletic department today announced that head football coach Braxton Harris will be leaving HPU. The Howard Payne administration will begin the search to find a replacement immediately.

Braxton Harris has been the head football coach at Howard Payne University for the past three seasons leading the Yellow Jackets to a 5-5 record in 2019. The 2019 record for HPU is the best for the program since 2006.

“We are thankful for Coach Harris’ leadership and elevating the status of the HPU football program,” said Hunter Sims, director of athletics. “We wish him lots of success in the
future.”

The HPU football team will report back to campus on Jan. 7 with its first practice on Jan. 9. With the Fall 2020 season moved to the spring semester due to COVID, the Yellow Jackets will have their first game at home on Saturday, Feb. 6 versus Texas Lutheran University, a noon start time.

HPU confirmed Harris is leaving to take a job as an assistant at an NCAA Division I football program.