Entering 2026, Beau Blair will begin his second season at Tarleton State as an assistant coach, leading the tight ends.
In his first season as the tight ends coach in 2025, the Texans posted its best season in the Division era. The Texans won a share of the United Athletic Conference title, earned the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and advanced to the quarterfinals in just their second year of playoff eligibility as a Division I program. Tarleton State began the season winning a pair of nationally televised games (42-0 at Portland State on ESPN2 during Week 0, 30-27 OT at Army on CBS Sports Network during Week 1), and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls. With an overtime win against Austin Peay on Nov. 22, the Texans clinched a share of the UAC Championship. It was Tarleton State's third conference championship in the past eight seasons, and the Texans' sixth conference championship as an NCAA institution. The 2025 conference title marked Tarleton State Football's first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era, and Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era (Tennis in 2022). When the Selection Show came around, it was no surprise to see Tarleton State’s name in the playoff field. The Texans not only earned a first-round bye, but also collected their highest-ever playoff seed as a Division I program. Tarleton State clinched its 12th win of the season with their victory in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, matching the most in a single season in program history. The United Athletic Conference co-champions and No. 4 seed reached the final eight for the first time in their Division I history. Tarleton State was just the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). The Texans are the first active FCS program to accomplish that feat since 1985 (Eastern Washington). The Texans were ranked No. 6 in both the final Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The record-setting season was recognized with a plethora of awards. In addition to having 12 players named to All-UAC Teams, four Texans earned spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Teams. Tarleton State was also well represented nationally in the postseason awards, having Texans as finalists for the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards. Academically, 12 Texans earned spots on the UAC All-Academic Teams.
In total, Blair has been coaching for 12 years. At the collegiate level, Blair coached one year at Houston Christian (2024) as Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator, two years at Northwestern State (2022-23) as Offensive Coordinator, two years at New Mexico Highlands (2020-21) as Offensive Coordinator, one year at Incarnate Word (2019) as Football Operations Assistant- Offensive Line, one year at Houston (2018) as Offensive Graduate Assistant, and one year at Southeastern (2017) as Graduate Assistant. Coaching at the high school level, Blair spent two seasons at Jacksonville HS (2015-16) as the offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and boys head powerlifting coach, plus a season spent at Diboll HS (2014) as offensive line coach, boys head powerlifting coach and boys shot put and discus coach. Blair also was an offensive line student assistant at Stephen F. Austin from 2010-13.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Tarleton State, and I would like to thank Coach Todd Whitten, Steve Uryasz, and Dr. James Hurley,” Blair said at the time of his hiring. “I’ve seen the university, program, and community grow in so many ways. Tarleton’s rich tradition and strong community support are something I’m proud to be a part of.”
Blair spent last season at Houston Christian as the offensive line coach and Run Game Coordinator. He helped the Huskies to a single-game rushing record 414 yards against McNeese and a single-season average rushing record in conference play at 188 yards.
Blair’s two years with the Demons in Natchitoches, Louisiana, featured him leading the offense, in particular the running backs and tight ends. In 2022, the Demons ranked 18th in the nation in passing offense (268.9 yards per game).
At New Mexico Highlands, Blair was the OC, leading the offensive line and serving as camp coordinator. In 2021, his offense ranked No. 23 in total offense at the NCAA Division II level with 441.8 yards per game, including the 23rd most pass yards per game at 269.8. The Cowboys averaged 30.5 points per contest with five all-conference players, including the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Blair is a Gilmer, Texas, native. He earned his bachelor’s degree in composite social studies at SFA in 2014, and his master’s degree in human performance and sports at New Mexico Highlands in 2022.
He and his wife, Lauren, reside in Stephenville.
