GRAFORD — In a state like Texas, football is the main show, but there are exceptions. Graford, Texas is one of those exceptions.
For years, the Graford Jackrabbits basketball team has shown superiority in 1A and beyond as they have competed with some of the best teams in the state at the 1 and 2A level. They won back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023 and have been on playoff runs each year since 2010.
This year looks a bit different for the Jackrabbits as they moved up from the 1A game to the 2A game, but they are still finding ways to win. In their first year in the bigger district, the Jackrabbits are staring at a winning record and a playoff berth already with a couple of games left to play in the regular season. A large reason for that success is who is at the team’s helm, their head coach Jeff Bell.
Bell took on the team in 2020 as the head coach and athletic director at Graford ISD. Since taking over, the Jackrabbits have seen nothing but success. Bell loves winning, but he loves his team more and it’s apparent when watching him coach and interact with the boys. Although he is tough and often looks frustrated, he knows his guys and is confident in what they know about the game. That love and confidence has led them to the success they have seen in recent years, and Bell credits it all to the boys. But recently, Bell reached a milestone of his own, that the community of Graford, the squad, and even State Representative Glenn Rogers got to celebrate with him.
On December 20th, a 90-34 win over De Leon marked Jeff Bell’s 1000th career win as a coach. According to Rogers, that puts Bell at No. 10 on the all-time winningest coach list. Included in those wins are his two state titles with Graford a couple of years ago, and two state titles with Brock from 2001 to 2012.
Bell has a passion for the game that not only shows in his coaching but shows through his players and the relationships he builds with his players. During interviews found online, Bell mentions his love for the game began at just four years old and has never let up.
With now over 1000 wins under his belt, Bell’s focus on his team’s success stays the same as the Jackrabbits are preparing for another playoff run, this time with new opponents in the 2A district.
