After years on the football field and in the military, Coach Todd Campbell knows what leadership looks like when it matters most. Now, he’s using his platform not to talk about championships—but to raise awareness about a different kind of battle: the one many veterans face after coming home.

“I’ve seen what some of these guys go through when they return,” Campbell says. “The mission doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.”

Campbell, a respected high school football coach and U.S. Army veteran, served 4.5 years on active duty after leaving a promising coaching career in the wake of 9/11. He returned home with an honorable medical discharge—and a different understanding of what leadership and service really mean.

Since then, he’s quietly committed himself to volunteering with food pantries and shelters focused on helping U.S. veterans re-enter civilian life. Now, he’s urging others to get involved.

“We talk a lot about respect and patriotism,” he says. “But showing up for someone—bringing them a meal, helping them find housing, even just listening—that’s where it starts.”

A Call to Action for Everyday Citizens

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, over 33,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2022. Many more face unemployment, PTSD, and long delays accessing benefits.

“These are people who’ve already done their part,” Campbell says. “They don’t need a handout—they need a community that hasn’t forgotten them.”

Campbell emphasizes that you don’t need military experience to make a difference. “You don’t have to have served to serve,” he adds. “You just have to care enough to do something.”

Whether it's volunteering once a month, supporting veteran-focused nonprofits, or checking in on someone you know who’s struggling, Campbell believes small efforts create real change.

Lessons from the Field

Campbell’s message is rooted in personal experience. After growing up in Abilene, Texas, and coaching college football programs like Texas Tech and College of the Sequoias—where his offense set multiple school records—he gave up that momentum to join the Army.

“I remember where I was when the towers fell,” he recalls. “Everything I thought I knew about my future changed that day.”

His military service gave him a new perspective on pressure, responsibility, and how to lead people through fear and uncertainty. “In the Army, leadership isn’t about being loud—it’s about being steady,” he says.

When he returned to coaching high school football, he brought that same approach with him. His players have gone on to win championships—but more importantly, they’ve learned discipline, resilience, and self-respect.

Why Now?

“I’ve seen kids come from homes where there’s no stability, and I’ve seen vets living under bridges. Sometimes those stories aren’t far apart,” Campbell says.

As Veterans Day approaches, he wants to shift the conversation beyond parades and flags.

“Celebrating veterans one day a year isn’t enough. What are we doing the other 364?”

What You Can Do Today

Coach Campbell encourages people to:

• Volunteer at shelters or food pantries that serve veterans

• Donate to vetted nonprofits focused on veteran housing, job placement, or mental health

• Check in with friends, family, or neighbors who have served

• Educate yourself about VA benefits and local resources in your area

“You don’t have to fix everything,” he says. “You just have to care enough to help where you can.”

About Coach Todd Campbell

Todd Campbell is a U.S. Army veteran and high school football coach based in Dallas, Texas. A native of Abilene, he has coached at multiple levels, including Texas Tech, Texas A&M–Commerce, and College of the Sequoias. He holds Texas educator certifications in physical education, social studies, and special education. Off the field, he is active in local veteran support efforts and community service.

Media Contact
Contact Person: Coach Todd Campbell
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City: Dallas
State: Texas
Country: United States
Website: https://www.toddcampbellfootball.com/