“I believe that all students can be taught. My goal is to produce successful students with emphasis on wellingness.” When a coach leads with that kind of heart and conviction, greatness tends to follow. And at Fort Bend Marshall, magic wasn’t just a metaphor—it was a way of life. Under the watchful eye and inspired leadership of the coach, the Missouri City powerhouse turned into a dynasty, racking up championship after championship. Last season, the program clinched its third consecutive UIL Class 5A state title, leaving fans wondering not if they would win, but how much they’d dominate by. But all fairy tales, no matter how golden, must eventually find their final chapter.

On May 25, the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of FB Marshall Track posted a quiet but powerful goodbye: a heartfelt screenshot and a two-word caption—“Love Always 💛🖤.” Behind those words was a revelation that sent a ripple through Texas high school sports: Coach Lloyd Banks is stepping away from the track after 14 unforgettable seasons.

Yes. And in his farewell message, the Houston native wrote, “All good things come to an end… I’ve heard this phrase a million times, but nobody told me how much of an emotional toll it takes on you, and those that have trusted and supported you along the way.” In the end he added, “Just needed those that care to know… it’s been an honor and pleasure leading one of the greatest track and field programs in history. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in this…All Love #BMF4EVA.” Meanwhile, the outpouring of support came flooding in. Coaches, athletes, alumni, and fans alike paid tribute to the man who built one of the state’s most respected programs. 

Among them, Pasadena Sam Rayburn’s Head Football Coach, Coach Gonzalez, called it: “End of an era for my brother! He is the 🐐 on that track. I’m excited to see what he does next.” But the story of Lloyd Banks is more than stats and state banners—it’s a tale of culture, character, and deep community roots.

A proud Houstonian, Banks starred in both football and track at Jack Yates High School, where his electric speed earned him All-State honors as a kick return specialist. That explosiveness carried him to a football scholarship at SMU, but fate had different plans. He returned to the school system—not to play, but to lead.

Before taking the helm at Fort Bend Marshall in 2011, Lloyd Banks made his rounds: Jack Yates, Cullen Middle School, Sterling, and Westbury High School, each stop leaving behind a trail of excellence. But it was at Marshall where his legacy truly crystallized. His squads didn’t just win—they embodied a mindset. Precision, poise, preparation. His athletes showed up at state meets with a level of focus that made even the best of teams uneasy. And it wasn’t just because of talent. It was because Coach Banks and his staff prepared like nobody else. And let’s not forget: in Texas, track and football are inseparable.

At Fort Bend Marshall, the synergy between the two programs became the gold standard. Track served as the crucible where football stars were forged, sharpened, and refined. And at the center of that athletic pipeline? Lloyd Banks—always setting the bar higher. 

He’s been honored repeatedly, including multiple Coach of the Year awards from the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association. His resume is legendary. But more importantly, his impact is personal. Students believed in themselves because he believed in them. And now, the chapter closes—not with a whisper, but with a thunderous round of applause.

Track and field fans clapped for Lloyd Banks 

From the moment he stepped into his first coaching role back in 2002, Lloyd Banks had a vision—not just of winning, but of elevating young people through discipline, belief, and purpose. Fast forward to 2025, and that vision has touched countless lives, creating a ripple effect far beyond the lanes of a track. In the wake of his emotional farewell, one heartfelt comment captured what so many were feeling: “Job well done Coach. The lives you have positively influenced cannot be enumerated. I will always feel blessed to be able to coach with you and call you a mentor. Good Luck with the future endeavors.” These weren’t just well-wishes—they were testimonies. Banks didn’t just coach athletes; he molded people, setting standards that others could only hope to reach.

NBC Sports Director of Social Media, Travis Miller, summed it up with a simple but weighty tribute: “An all-time great coach and even better person! Good luck in what comes next.” But perhaps the most raw and real tribute came from the track and field community itself—the ones who competed against him, lost to him, and learned from him. “A GOAT is the understatement …  something’s are the standard & banks is surpassed that when it comes to this track ish.” That quote, dropped in the comment section like a mic, says everything.

Coach Erick Quiroz, a respected peer and frequent rival, echoed the sentiment with genuine admiration: “Thank you for being such a difficult competitor to catch, being a real genuine coach, and being a humble individual who always has extended his hand to help myself and others! Forever grateful!” It’s rare to find a competitor so dominant and yet so deeply respected by his peers. But that’s exactly who Lloyd Banks is—a tactician on the track, a mentor off it, and a human being who never forgot the purpose behind the podiums.

And now, as the curtain falls on an extraordinary chapter, the legacy of Coach Banks doesn’t end. It echoes. Through the programs he built, the athletes he raised, and the standard he set, his influence will continue to blaze like lane four under stadium lights. He was more than a coach. He was the blueprint.