Abbott Taps NFL’s Colt McCoy Among Latest Wave of Texas Appointments
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed former NFL quarterback Colt McCoy to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, part of a flurry of appointments that will shape key state agencies and advisory bodies for years to come.
The appointments, announced through the governor’s office this week, span education, healthcare, and public safety initiatives across the state. McCoy, alongside fellow appointees Darryl Heath and returning member Ashlie Thomas, will serve on the education board through August 2031.
For many Texans, McCoy’s appointment stands out. The former University of Texas football star and 12-year NFL veteran brings name recognition to a board that oversees the state’s higher education policies and funding priorities. “Governor Greg Abbott appointed Darryl Heath and Colt McCoy and reappointed Ashlie Thomas to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for terms set to expire on August 31, 2031,” the governor’s office stated in their release.
Healthcare and Safety Appointments Take Center Stage
Beyond education, Abbott moved to strengthen the state’s pharmaceutical oversight by appointing Jason LaFond to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board. LaFond will serve until February 2027 on a board tasked with navigating the complex landscape of drug pricing and accessibility for Texans.
Perhaps most significant in terms of public safety? Abbott named 21 members to the Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force, a body created to address domestic violence fatalities in the state. The appointments come as Texas continues to grapple with domestic violence rates that have concerned advocates in recent years.
The governor also tapped Ann Shippy, M.D., Commissioner Sid Miller, and Natalie Bachynsky, Ph.D. for the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, positions they’ll hold until September 2027. The committee’s work intersects with ongoing efforts to address food insecurity and nutrition education across the state.
University System Leadership Shifts
What do these appointments signal about Abbott’s priorities for higher education? The governor made multiple university system appointments, including naming David Jennings as Texas Woman’s University Student Regent through May 2026.
For the University of Houston System, Abbott appointed Tommy Lucas, O.D. and Lynden Rose while reappointing Alonzo Cantu to the Board of Regents. All three will serve terms extending to August 2031, giving them significant influence over one of Texas’s largest public university systems.
The governor also selected Richard B. “Rick” McCaslin, Ph.D. as Texas State Historian, a position he’ll hold until December 2027. The role involves preserving and promoting Texas history across educational institutions and public forums.
Rounding out the appointments, Abbott reappointed Perry Gilmore, Ph.D. and named Jeff Jordan to the Texas Crime Stoppers Council with terms running through September 2029. The council oversees programs that encourage citizens to report criminal activity.
These appointments reflect Abbott’s ongoing efforts to place allies and experts in positions of influence across state government. For Colt McCoy, it represents a different kind of playing field than the gridiron where he made his name — but one where his decisions may ultimately affect far more Texans than his touchdown passes ever did.
