Longtime Central Texas coach Mike Shields has died after battling cancer. He was known for his faith, leadership and decades of impact on student-athletes.
WACO, Texas — Mike Shields, a longtime high school football coach and athletic director known for his unwavering faith, servant leadership and commitment to student-athletes across Texas, died Tuesday morning after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was a 1996 graduate of Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic High School and spent more than 28 years mentoring young athletes across the state.
Shields was most recently hired in June 2025 as the athletic director and head football coach at his alma mater Reicher Catholic High School. Prior to that, he coached at McGregor High School from 2019-2024.
He began his coaching career at Reicher in 1996 and later served at schools in Italy, Hillsboro, Red Oak, and Terrell. Shields spent over 17 years as an athletic director and head football coach, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree from Baylor University.
In Shields 28 years of coaching he led his teams to 13 playoff appearances.
In August 2023, Shields was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a rare form of bone marrow cancer. Despite the diagnosis, he continued to lead with faith and strength.
A new GoFundMe campaign was launched on July 9, 2025, after Shields suffered a serious setback in his cancer journey and was admitted to the ICU. The page, organized by close friends of the family, described Shields as “a friend, coach, teacher, mentor, and an incredible man of God.” As of mid-July, the campaign had raised more than $9,000 to support Shields’ wife, Maria, and their children Sierra, Colton, and Parker.
Shields was widely respected throughout Central Texas for his ability to connect with students and communities, and for the values he instilled both on and off the field. His impact will be felt for generations.