New face with familiar name now assistant coach for Burnet football team

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — Though he has a familiar name in the city of Burnet, this isn’t the Stephen Shipley who has strong ties to the area and played for Texas Christian University in the 1980s.

Although not a relation, this Shipley has something in common with the Burnet family: He, too, will wear Bulldog colors after the Burnet Consolidated Independent School Board approved his hire during a special meeting June 3.

Shipley comes from Midland Lee and has a strong background on the defensive side of the ball, Burnet athletic director Kurt Jones said.

“He’ll be a defensive assistant for us,” Jones said. “Maybe as an inside linebackers coach, possibly work with the secondary. He has some defensive coordinator experience.”

Shipley will replace Sean Pahira, who coached inside linebackers.

“(Shipley) brings good energy and good experience,” Jones said. “He comes a from a tough Class 5A district with those Odessa schools, Midland schools and Abilene schools. We’re happy to be getting him.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com