Arlington Martin football coach Bob Wager headed to college level, joins Nebraska staff

For the first time in nearly two decades, Arlington Martin will be seeking a new head football coach.

Bob Wager, who spent the past 17 years leading the Warriors, confirmed on Friday he will joining Matt Rhule and his staff at Nebraska as a tight ends coach and special teams assistant.

“Proud to be a Texas high school football coach,” Wager said in a text message.

“Our family is beyond grateful for 17 incredible years at Martin High School. Thank you!,” Wager said on Twitter.

Wager has been the athletic coordinator and head football coach at Martin since the 2006 season. He led the Warriors to a playoff berth, which snapped a seven-year drought.

This season, the Warriors went 6-0 in district and 10-2 overall with a trip the Class 6A Division 1 area round. Martin has won a district title in four straight seasons while not dropping a game in that span (30-0-1). Overall, Wager has led Martin to seven undefeated district championships.

In 17 seasons, Martin has won at least 10 games eight times. The Warriors have 11 bi-district titles under Wager and made a trip to the regional final in 2011.

Nine times, they’ve gone to the regional semifinals. Their trip in 2009 was a first for Martin in 12 years.

“It’s been one of the great joys of my life being the coach here,” Wager said in a statement. “We’ve raised our children here. It’s not just the school. It’s the community. This decision has always been driven by family. It’s a family decision, and every other decision has been a family decision. I’m really proud of the school, community and everyone involved in it. Schools aren’t just brick and mortar. What makes the place magnificent are the people.”

Wager grew up in Johnstown, NY.

At 22, he sold his Jeep, bought a motorcycle and headed to Texas with a dream of becoming a football coach.

His first job was a Carter Junior High in Arlington 30 years ago. Four years after that, he was the offensive coordinator at Arlington Sam Houston.

Wager also spent four years at Tolar, three years at Groveton and one year at Kaufman. While at Tolar, Wager took the rattlers to the playoffs three times and led the team to their first playoff win in program history.

Overall, Wager has accumulated a 206-100 career record.

He won his 200th game on Sept. 23, a 34-21 victory over South Grand Prairie.

Wager has also been coaching the Under Armour All-American game for the past 10 years. He was head coach in 2022. He was also a board member for the Texas High School Coaches Association from 2016-21.

While at Martin, Wager has coached some of the best football players in the country. This season, he had 4-star cornerback and LSU bound Javien Toviano, who is with Wager in Orlando for the All-American game, which will be played on Jan. 3.

He also coached former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Myles Garrett. In high school, Garrett was a 5-star player and had nearly 20 sacks as a senior. He would go on to play at Texas A&M before the Cleveland Browns selected him with the No. 1 pick in 2017.

Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos wished Wager the best of luck in his new position.

Cavazos said the search for a new head coach for Martin will begin immediately.

“Everyone in the district is thrilled for coach Wager,” Cavazos said. “He has been an exceptional coach and role model for thousands of students, and we are proud of him and excited for his new opportunity.”