Legendary Plano ISD educator, coach and community leader Tom Kimbrough was surprised with a celebration at Clark Stadium after being selected to receive the Special Award of Merit by the Plano Chamber of Commerce.
The announcement was made on Thursday, September 3, 2026, and was especially meaningful at Clark Stadium, where Coach Kimbrough’s storied career and remarkable impact on Plano ISD athletics took shape. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable contributions. Recipients have also gone above and beyond to promote and improve the Plano community.
The Special Award of Merit is presented only as recommended by the Chamber for an individual or group that has made an exceptional impact on the community. Coach Kimbrough is one of only 22 recipients to earn this prestigious award since its inception in 1975.
Coach Kimbrough’s legacy is deeply integrated into the history of Plano Senior High School and Plano ISD. From 1975 to 1991, Coach Kimbrough totaled an incredible 172-28-5 record as head football coach of Plano Senior High School. During that time, he won more games and state championships (3) than any coach in Texas during an era when only one champion was crowned per classification. Coach Kimbrough was named Texas High School Coach of the Year three times by the Texas Sports Writers Association and was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He also served as a teacher, assistant athletic director and athletic director for the district.
As an educator and mentor, Coach Kimbrough helped grow the character, confidence and aspirations of generations of Plano ISD students, teaching life lessons well beyond competition for success.
Kimbrough will be formally honored at the Chamber’s Best of Plano 2026 Awards on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Marriott at Legacy Town Center.