Brian Pate-Site Founder-Football Scores, Basketball, Track/Cross Country/Soccer/All Sports/University News
Brian Pate is the founder and Managing Editor of The Lion Wire, establishing the blog in 2011. In the decade since site has launched, it has become the prime source of a fan’s view of Texas A&M-Commerce athletics.
A Native of the Tyler, Texas area, Brian is a 2007 graduate of Texas A&M-Commerce with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and also has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from TAMUC, which he earned in 2012. While on campus, he was a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, worked for campus recreation, a member of the Baptist Student Ministries, and was active in College of Business Activities, along with being nominated Homecoming King in the Fall of 2007. He lives in the Dallas Metroplex and is an Associate at a major financial firm. His Father Jerry is a 1967 graduate of then East Texas State University and his Mother is a retired teacher, and has two younger brothers who are both High School Basketball Coaches and Teachers, one in the DFW area and one in the Houston Are. When not blogging, he enjoys reading, fishing, basketball, a good jog, live music, being on the water, and has taken up learning how to play chess and golf, and attends Countryside Bible Church in Southlake, TX.
The Pate File-
Favorite College Football Player-Colt Brennan, Hawaii Quarterback, 2005-2007
Favorite College Basketball Player-JJ Redick, Duke, 2002-2006
Favorite College Football Coach-Mike Leach (RIP) Texas Tech (2000-2009), Washington State (2012-2019), Mississippi State (2020-2022)
Favorite Basketball Coach-Bob Knight (Army 1965-1971), Indiana (1971-2000), Texas Tech (2001-2008)
Favorite Major College Football Programs-Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Hawaii, Washington State, BYU.
Favorite College Basketball Team-2010 Duke Blue Devils
Favorite Basketball Arena-Hinkle Fieldhouse, Butler University
Favorite College Football Stadium-California Memorial Stadium, University of California, Berkeley
If you could only experience one more football game for the rest of your life, who would it be and where?-“Yale VS. Harvard, AKA “THE GAME” at the Yale Bowl in New Haven.”
Brian’s Top 5 Football Games-
- Texas Tech vs. Texas, 2008
- Texas A&M Vs Alabama, 2012
- Hawaii VS Boise State, 2007
- Texas A&M Vs Kansas State, 1998
- Washington State vs USC, 2017
Brian’s Top Ten Lions (In No Particular Order)
- Harvey Martin
- Luis Perez
- Harrison Stewart
- Israel Hughes
- Curtis Buckley
- Deric Davis
- Dudley Slice
- Bob Bounds
- Fred Woods
- Shelby Metcalf
Most Exciting Win-The 2017 National Semifinal Game vs. Harding. Lion Football is BACK.
Most Disappointing Loss-2015 vs. Midwestern State in LSC Playoff Tournament Championship Game
Russell McLean-Football Recruiting, Off Season News, Basketball Contributor, Game Week Analysis, Call the Roll Podcast Co-Host.
Russell McLean joined The Lion Wire staff in the Fall of 2017 in the middle of the Lions historic 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship. Before joining, he moved from long time supporter of the site to analyst and contributor. His in depth analysis and sports writing acumen has won him a lot of fans in a short amount of time and has become an invaluable part of the Wire. He is a major contributor during Football season, is the author of the Pre-Snap Read offensive preview and the Blue Gang Notebook defensive preview. He also covers off-season football news and recruiting. McLean has a tremendous knowledge of Texas High School Football and also Texas College Football on levels from Division I-FBS to Division III. Russ is a West Texas native from the town of Quanah. In the spring of 1979, Russ visited then East Texas State for a college day and a pick-up Basketball game inside the University Fieldhouse changed his life forever. After the game, he returned the ball to the athletic offices and met legendary Lion Football Coach Ernest Hawkins. Hawkins asked Russ about his Quanah letterman jacket, and found out that Hawkins had played football with a close family friend of Russ’s family. The conversation led to Hawkins recruiting Russ to play football for the Lions as a punter and Russ walked on in the fall of 1979. He attended then East Texas State University from 1979-1981 and was a part of the Football program as a punter and a student assistant during the 1979 and 1980 seasons. He as a member of the Kappa Alpha Order as a student. After his time in Commerce, he went back to West Texas and started a long career in Firefighting and being a first responder, trainer, and cadet coordinator with the Cypress Creek Fire Department in Houston, Texas, he now works in the office supply industry. He currently resides in the Houston area city of Klein, Texas with Tiana, his wife and fellow roadmate of over 30 years. His son AJ is a graduate of Tulsa Welding school and now works in the welding field while his daughter Shelby is a 2023 graduate of Texas A&M-Commerce with a degree in AgBusiness and was a member of the Chi Omega fraternity while she was on campus.
The McLean File-
Favorite College Player-Day Nguyen (Texas A&M)
Favorite College Basketball Player-Kareem Abdul Jabbar (UCLA)
Favorite College Football Coach-Nick Saban (Alabama, LSU, Michigan State, Toledo)
Favorite College Basketball Coach-John Wooden (UCLA)
Favorite Major College Football Programs-Texas A&M, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame
Favorite College Basketball Team-1966 Texas Western Miners
Favorite Basketball Arena-Phog Allen Fieldhouse, University of Kansas
Favorite College Football Stadium-Tiger Stadium (LSU) or Sanford Stadium (Georgia)
If you could only watch one more game in person for the rest of your life, which game would it be?-“Texas A&M vs. Texas at Kyle Field.”
Russ’s Top 5 Football Games-
- Texas A&M @ Alabama, 2012
- Texas Tech @ Houston, 1976
- Texas Vs. Arkansas, 1969
- Texas A&M VS. Auburn, 1985 Cotton Bowl
- Alabama VS. Penn State 1977
Russ’s Top Ten Greatest Lions-(In no particular order)
- Wade Wilson
- Luis Perez
- Harvey Martin
- Dwight White
- Billy Robinson
- Danny Kirk
- Curtis Ray
- Chris Flynn
- Colby Carthel
- Ernest Hawkins
Most Exciting Lion Win-1979, VS Texas A&I, defeated the Hogs 3-0. They were number 1 in the country and we handed them their only loss and split the 1970’s decade series with them 5-5.”
Most Hearbreaking Loss-National Semifinals, 1980, VS. Elon-14-6 Loss. “We win that game, we are National Champions.”
The Lion Wire 
Brian: I looked for a fan board for TAMU-C, but couldn’t find one. Found your blog: so I thought I would post my comments here. Hope you don’t mind.
My thoughts on your team after watching them battle my Bearkats. Your guys are big, fast, physical, fundamentally sound and very well coached. I have been to every game that the Kats have played this year except the one against Abilene Christian.
I am serious when I say that the only team that we have played, so far, that was better than the Lions is Texas Tech and I think your defense was pretty much on par with theirs in a one game, snap shot comparison. We lost to Lamar in the second game of the season, but the Lions are a MUCH better team than they are.
I just want to let all of you Lions fans know that your squads efforts at Bowers didn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. Best of luck in the D2 playoffs.
DOK Rogers
SHSU ’77 & ’78
N/A
Dudley,
Where are you these days? This from a 73 Alum who enjoyed your play and the Championship season.
Mike Reid
ETSU 73
I would really love to know who wrote the article about my brother, Wade, entitled Everybody’s All American. There have been numerous articles and news clips over the past few days, many kind words and remembrances. THIS heartfelt piece has truly touched hearts. On behalf of my father and my brother, David, we would all like to thank this author for an outstanding tribute to Wade. Thank you, Charlotte Wilson Sheets
Hi Charlotte, this article was written by Russell McLean, a teammate of his here in Commerce and a contributor to this site. If you are on social media, Russell is there too. We are praying for your family in this time and if there is anything we can, please let us know. Thanks and God Bless- Brian Pate
Charlotte, it was me. I was at ET with Wade from 79-81. Wade was always very friendly, and made a big impression in a short time. I treasured my time in Commerce, and the teammates I played with. He was my friend. I miss him, and am a better person for having known him.
Charlotte, I’m sorry, I forgot. My name is Russell McLean. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during these difficult days. I know you’ve probably heard this countless times, but please do not hesitate to contact me if there’s anything I can do. Russell
I would love to have Mr. McLean contact me.
Hi Sherri. Please message us on the Lion Wire Facebook page and we love to have a discussion with you. Thanks!
In reviewing information on the site, a quote was shown purportedly from Sam Rayburn that cited his date of graduation from East Texas Normal College as 1902. His graduation year was actually 1903. The quotation sounds slightly out of character for Mr. Rayburn and I have seen that quotation in any Rayburn publications though my research was not exhaustive.
On a different note, I have been advised that you are seeking to organize opposition to the remaining of the library and the campus lake in a misdirected effort to diminish the legacy of former University President James Gilliam Gee. I do not follow Facebook but will provide my email address since I am apparently as opposed to the unjustified renaming action as you and many others. Please advise as to contact information regarding your continuing efforts to register opposition to the renaming of both the library and the lake in view of my none participation in Facebook.
Ted R. Crim
Class of 1970
East Texas State University/Texas A&M University-Commerce
Hello Ted. You are free to contact me at either Bdanielpate@gmail.com or via my personal cell at 903-413-4147. I look forward to speaking with you.