The 2025 football season marked two major milestones for the Houston Heights High School football program. The Bulldogs finished in second place in 6A Region III District 18, while head coach Stephen Dixon surpassed 100 career wins. Dixon’s achievement reflects a program built on trust, toughness, and a brotherhood that extends well beyond the field.
When the final whistle blew in the Heights vs. Wisdom football game, with the scoreboard reading 49-0, Dixon realized he had just achieved his 100th career win.
“I reflected on my first few years as a head coach and wondered to myself, ‘How did I reach this number when I thought I’d be lucky to get 10 wins?’” said Dixon.
This milestone is more than just a number. It represents the culture and the players who participated in this historic moment.
“I was blessed with phenomenal players and coaches over my career who dedicated their time to help develop the young men wearing a Heights/Reagan football uniform,” said Dixon. “I was blessed with phenomenal leadership who believed in me and my plan as well.”
Longtime assistant coach Gary Castille, who has worked with Dixon through many of these wins, has observed how Dixon adapts to keep his teams competitive over time.
“In the seven years I have coached with Coach Dixon, I’ve seen him be open to changing defensive schemes from an even to an odd front and sharing the responsibility of calling offensive plays,” said Castille. “What hasn’t changed is his philosophy that the kids come first in the program. He’s always looking out for the best interests of the players. He emphasizes that we, as a coaching staff, are to prepare our players for life after high school football, whether that means aiming for college football scholarships, attending college, or working and raising a family.”
For Dixon, the milestone isn’t about numbers; it’s about people. Each game and season has been a chapter written alongside others who shared the same mission.
Like any coaching position, sacrifices are part of the job. During a speech to his team, Dixon thanked his family for their support over the years.
“It was important to me to thank them because they understand the time I’ve dedicated over the years to bring this program to where it is now,” said Dixon. “They sacrificed a lot to support me, especially my wife Lamonica.”
Dixon has worked many long nights and early mornings.
“I had the privilege of coaching both of my sons here, so they were always here through the long nights and up early with me a lot in those mornings,” said Dixon. “Before HUDL came, my wife and my sons used to go and exchange tapes with an opposing coach for me while I was in the office or pick up my game tape and bring it to the school for me.”
Balancing being a husband and father with being “Coach” to so many others can be challenging.
“I find the time,” said Dixon. “I make the time for my coaches. I am passionate about football, but football is not my God. Family is important to me and I want my coaches to know that their families matter to me. A lot of coaches think spending endless hours in the office will help you win and it might. But to me, if you’re losing at home, you’re losing even while winning.”
If family is his foundation, then his coaching staff is the framework that holds everything together, men who’ve shared his vision and carried it forward.
Assistant coach and defensive coordinator Fred Vizcarra recalls Dixon’s approach, emphasizing that no head coach finds success alone.
“He does a really good job of empowering us as coaches and there isn’t a lot of micromanaging going on among our staff,” said Vizcarra. “Being the defensive coordinator, having that kind of autonomy really allows me to push the envelope with our defense.”
This trust fosters a high-energy, productive culture in practice.
“There is a strong rapport between the coaches and players,” said Vizcarra.
With support from coaches, players and administrative staff, Dixon has developed a program grounded in more than just football. It has become a home, a place where lessons endure beyond seasons.
Senior three-star wide receiver Kaden Cole has gained valuable lessons from Dixon, focusing on hard work and effort.
“Coach Dixon always says, ‘Don’t part-time this game; if you part-time this game, then it will part-time you,’” said Cole. “Another one of his phrases is ‘You only get what you put in. If you put in little effort, the game will show little love toward you,’ or ‘The harder you work, the more you’ll get out of the game.’”
Dixon treats all his players the same but holds them accountable.
“With Coach Dixon, if you mess up, it’s short-term memory and on to the next play,” said Cole. “He’s always positive and he’s always smiling, no matter what the situation is. He makes the environment around him better.”
Those bonds formed in summer heat, late-night practices and long bus rides are the heartbeat of Dixon’s legacy. But even as he celebrates 100 wins, he insists the journey is far from over.
Now that he’s achieved over 100 wins, Dixon wants his players to realize that they are the program.
“I love my players, all of them!” said Dixon. “I want them all to know that I won’t give up on them and that I believe each one of them can achieve success on and off the field.”
While some coaches measure success by wins and losses, Dixon sees it as teaching athletes that their circumstances don’t determine their success.
“Developing a young man into a person of high character who will be a great future father and husband is more important to me than him making millions in the NFL. But if he makes it there, he’d better get me some season tickets,” Dixon says with a smile.
