Lamar University Athletics

A former assistant coach with the Cardinals, Craig McGallion returns to Lamar University to work with head coach Mike Schultz. McGallion came out of retirement to serve as the football director of operations.

Prior to his retirement, McGallion spent six seasons on the sideline with the Cardinals, including the final two as defensive coordinator. McGallion’s first defense produced five All-Southland Conference selections, which included defensive end Joe Okafor who was a free agent signee of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The former University of Houston standout and long-time defensive coordinator at Silsbee High School, McGallion was a member of the initial staff that helped revive the football program prior to the 2010 season.

McGallion came to LU after serving on the Silsbee staff under his brother Bobby for 10 years, where the Tigers made the playoffs six times.

McGallion spent three seasons as the head coach at Barbers Hill from 1995-98 following a two-year stint at Woodville from 1993-94. The son of the late Silsbee coaching legend Stud McGallion led Woodville to the playoffs in his first season with a 6-4-1 mark.

From 1989-93, McGallion spent time in the Cy-Fair Independent School District at both Cy-Fair HS and Cy-Creek HS. He mentored future NFL Pro Bowl selection Sam Adams, who played at Texas A&M, along with Shane Rink, who would eventually go on to play at Texas.

McGallion was a three-year letterman and two-year starter at nose guard for the University of Houston. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from UH in 1984.

McGallion graduated from Silsbee HS in 1979 and was an all-state selection at linebacker who was also a member of the 1977 Tiger team that reached the state semifinals. He also played in the 1979 Texas High School All-Star Game.

He has been married to his wife Gayle since 1983 and the couple has a son, Lance, and a daughter, Lacey. Lance is a Lamar University graduate and Lacey earned a degree from the Lamar Institute of Technology.