Jeff Cleveland joined the East Texas A&M football staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2024 season, bringing more than three decades of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels. For the 2026 season, he will serve as the football program's Chief of Staff.Â
Cleveland returns to Commerce with deep ties to the program, having been a member of the 1990 East Texas State University Lone Star Conference Championship team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals. He later served as a student assistant coach in 1993 and a graduate assistant coach in 1994, helping guide the Lions to a national ranking as high as No. 5. Cleveland was honored as the 2015 Bobby Fox Outstanding Alumni Coaching Award recipient and was inducted into the East Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Honor as a member of the 1990 championship team.
Most recently, Cleveland served as athletic director and head football coach at Scurry-Rosser High School from 2017-24, where he helped transform the athletic department through increased participation, facility improvements, academic initiatives, and community engagement. Under his leadership, Scurry-Rosser expanded its athletic programs, improved facilities, developed student-athlete support systems, and established a culture centered on character development and academic success.
Prior to Scurry-Rosser, Cleveland served as athletic director and head football coach at Commerce High School from 2014-17. During his tenure, he guided the Tigers to a turnaround season in 2014, improving from a 1-9 record to a 7-5 playoff appearance. He also played a key role in expanding athletic operations, increasing community partnerships, improving facilities, and building a foundation for success across multiple sports.
Cleveland spent nine seasons as head football coach at J.M. Hanks High School in El Paso from 2004-13, becoming the winningest coach in program history. He guided the Knights to an 8-3 record in 2012, tied for the best season in school history, while coaching more than 20 student-athletes who went on to play college football. He was also selected as chairman of the 2013 Texas High School Coaches Association Class 4A All-Star Football Game Committee.
His coaching career also includes stops at Gainesville, Newman Smith, Weatherford, Wylie, and Coppell High Schools, where he served in various roles including head coach, offensive coordinator, assistant athletic coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach. Throughout his career, Cleveland has helped develop numerous collegiate and professional players, including NFL players Kevin Mathis, Darcel McBath, and Robbie Doane.
Cleveland began his coaching career at East Texas A&MÂ after playing for the Lions from 1989-92. A standout quarterback at Coppell High School, he earned All-District honors in football and basketball before continuing his playing career in Commerce.
Cleveland is a longtime member of the Texas High School Coaches Association and has been involved in numerous coaching clinics and community initiatives throughout his career. He and his wife, Leah, have three children, Cole, Cade, and Tana, and three stepchildren, Lindsey, Trey, and Tyler.
