HOUSTON – Once a teammate, always a teammate. In the case of Cris Dishman and Bubba McDowell their friendship has never wavered since their playing days together in Houston as members of the Oilers teams of the early to mid-90′s.
Now, over 25 years later, they remain close as ever. While their friendship remains strong both Dishman and McDowell now have something else in common. They are Head Coaches of two rival college football programs here in the Greater Houston area.
Dishman is the new Head Coach at Texas Southern while McDowell just wrapped up his second season leading the Prairie View A&M program. Dishman was just hired this past week by TSU to lead their program and after 19 years he is finally getting his shot at running his own football program.
“I’ve been coaching now for 19 years,” Dishman said on KPRC 2′s Sports Sunday. " I’ve been in just about every league out there- Canada, XFL, USFL along with college stops at various places including Baylor. To get this job at Texas Southern is really a dream come true.”
Dishman was introduced earlier last week at a press conference and in attendance was his good friend Bubba. Yes, rivalry aside, McDowell said he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“I wanted to be there for him because I’m proud of him,” McDowell said.
Dishman and McDowell will face off Saturday, August 31st in their annual Labor Day Classic showdown.
Here’s some of the conversation as both paid a visit to McIlvoy on KPRC 2′s Sports Sunday !