1972 - 1975 Tex Byrd
Coaching History
Assistant Coach Fall: 71 - Spring 72
Head Coach: Fall 72 - Spring 75
Short Biography
Coach Byrd enlisted in the AF reserves in 54 and commissioned in 63. Was in Thailand during the Vietnam war and in addition to his assignment at USAFA, served at RAF Mildenhall, Centcom, NATO, Ramstein, and Scott in various command positions. After retirement he was an advisor to Saudi Arabian National Guard and his final military contribution, 1994-1995, was as Base Commander, Beni Suef Egyptian AFB.
After playing football for UC Berkeley (including a Rose Bowl appearance in 1959), Tex learned and played rugby with UC Berkeley “Old Blue” for a decade, and was the founding member of the Marin County RFC in 1963. He played in England with the Thetford and Newmarket RFCs, then started the Mildenhall AF RFC. (Also coached the Mildenhall base football team for two yrs and named UK coach of the year in 1979) After playing for a year in Bank OK, he was stationed at the Academy in the PE Department. His AFA tour was highlighted by learning from Alan Osur, then leading the team for 2 years, with some impressive victories (RAF Cranwell at Cranwell, the Aspen Ruggerfest and ERRFU championship). Currently living in Redding CA, he is an active civilian flight instructor. Elected to the AFA Rugby Alumni board 2010 and served two three year terms (Note: Son Matt ’85, was first side winger for AFA and AF select side, a Thunderbird pilot and flew the F-117 during the first Gulf war)
