Jesse Longhofer
Inducted 1994
Hometown: Higgins
High School: Donna High School
College: Texas A&I University
Best Known for: Coach-Football
Longhofer was a coach who won 108 games and an administrator who built Harlingen High School into one of the state's Top 10 athletic programs. Longhofer was a winner all the way.
From the tiny Panhandle town of Higgins, Longhofer moved to Donna and was on the Redskins' team that advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs in 1951. He helped Texas A&I University win its first NAIA title, in 1959, and ended his career in 1960 as co-captain.
After a brief stint at Uvalde, Longhofer came to Harlingen in 1964 and served as head coach from 1971 to 1975 and 1985 to 1992, and was the school's Athletic Director in between
He won eight district championships with Harlingen, compiled a record of 108-32-3, and piloted the Cards to the state quarterfinals in 1989.
Known as a fierce competitor who had the total loyalty of his coaches and players, Longhofer was highly successful at every level.