Bruce Bush joined UTRGV Football as the director of high school relations in January 2024. He has been in the coaching profession for 42 years; 34 years as head coach and athletic director; 12 of those years in the Coastal Bend area and nine in the Rio Grande Valley.
Bush began his coaching career at Sweeny High School in 1970. He then moved to Port-Neches as a varsity assistant, winning the State Championship in 1975 by defeating Odessa Permian 20-10 in Texas Stadium.
He then took his first head coaching job at Dimmitt in the Texas Panhandle and led them to their first district championship in 15 years. From there, Bush went to Livingston, in East Texas, for four years.
He came to the Rio Grande Valley in 1981 when he became the head coach at PSJA High School. In the two years at PSJA, Bush led the Bears to two district championships, two playoff appearances and a record of 19-3.
In 1983, Bush moved on to Alice to coach the Coyotes from 1983-89. He led the Coyotes to three district championships, five playoff appearances, and a record of 51-17-1.
In 1989, Bush became the head coach at Gregory-Portland, coaching the Wildcats from 1989-95. He led the Wildcats to three district championships, six playoff appearances, going to the state semifinals in 1989 and 1992, and a record of 59-19-2. After leaving Gregory Portland, Bush coached in Donna for two years before moving to San Marcos, in Central Texas, coaching from 1997-2005 and leading the Rattlers to two district championships, seven playoff appearances ,and a record of 68-24. In his first year as coach, San Marcos went to the playoffs for the first time in 31 years.
In 2005, Bush retired, but not for long. He returned to coaching in 2006 as offensive coordinator at George West, assisting Coach Davenport in 2006 and 2007. The Longhorns finished his second season 9-3 as Bi-District champs and Area finalists.
Bush retired again in 2007, but once again came out of retirement in 2008 to accept the Head Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator job at PSJA North. In 2008, the Raiders were District Co-Champs, Bi-District Champs, and had a record of 8-4. Bush was also named Coach of the Year for 2008. In 2009, the Raiders were District Runner up, Bi-District Champs, Area Champs and lost to New Braunfels in the Regional Playoffs in the Alamo Dome. The Raiders ended with an 11-2 record. In 2010 the Raiders had a 7-3 season. In 2011, the Raiders ended with a 7-4 record, losing in Bi-District, and in 2012, the Raiders were 5-5. His five-year record at PSJA North was 38-18.
Bush finished his head coaching career with a 271-112-7 record, making 24 playoff appearances in 34 years.
In July of 2015 Bush received the greatest honor of his lifetime, being inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor.
Honors:
Corpus Christi Caller Times South Texas Coach of the Year
Alice, 1983
Gregory-Portland, 1989
Gregory-Portland, 1992
All Metro Coach of the Year
Gregory-Portland, 1989
Gregory-Portland, 1992
Big Sisters YMCA Coach of the Year
Alice, 1985
Gregory-Portland, 1989
Gregory-Portland, 1992
Gregory-Portland, 1994
31-5A Coach of the Year
PSJA North, 2008
2005 Inductee, Coastal Bend Coaches Association Hall of Honor
2011 Inductee, Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame
2022 Inductee, Alice ISD Coyote Hall of Honor
Bush was a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association Board of Directors (1987-90), Coastal Bend Coaches Association Board of Directors (1991-92), and the Texas Coaches Association All-State Selection Committee (1982-83).
In 1999-2000, Bush worked with the UIL to develop the summer weight and conditioning programs that Texas high schools are allowed to have today.
Bush is married to the former Ida Palacios of Mercedes and has three children, Bebe Ramirez, Travis Bush, and Niki Peters. He also has 6 grandchildren Marco, Alexa, Treyson, Tyler, Wesley, and Aly.
