Dexter, MO - On October 29, 2021 Coach Aaron Pixley stepped onto Charles Bland Stadium High School Football Field for the very last time under the Friday night lights.  He will have at least one more opportunity to coach on Friday, November 4th when the Dexter Bearcats travel to Kennett in a District semifinal game.

Coach Pixley graduated from Dexter High School in 1988.  He was hired in 2000 to be the weightlifting coach and head football coach.      

In his first stint at Dexter High School he was the "All-Time Wins" leader over 13 seasons as head coach.  From 2000 to 2012 Pixley accumulated a 78-58 record.

In his first year as the Dexter Head Coach, Pixley had a team shirt that stated his philosophy toward the game of football, and obviously life.  The slogan read "Never Accept Mediocrity".

His thirteen seasons as the gridiron master has provided our community many exciting Friday nights.  His record tells the story with 78 wins which is a record for any head football coach at DHS.  His two best seasons were in 2002 in his third year as the head coach the Bearcats had a season of 8-3 and then in 2010 was perhaps his most memorable year with a record of 8-5 and playing in the Class 3 State Quarterfinals. 

In addition, the community has been able to experience the joys of victory with three titles as SEMO Conference Champions, 2002, 2005 and 2011.  The Bearcats won four District Playoffs, 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2011, with 2010 making it to the State Quarterfinal. 

After 4 years at Kennett High School he came back home to finish his career.

He is passionate about winning football games, but that was not his ultimate goal.  Pixley always put turning his players into great upstanding men above all and puts character above winning a football game.

Coach will end his career with a few titles.  The title he is most proud of is the Longest Bearcat Football Coach of All-Time at Dexter High School.   He will close out his football career of 17 years with the Bearcats at the end of the 2021 season and a total of 21 years of football coaching.

A former player said, "You are a man of great character, you are humble, you are genuine and sometimes you were intimidating.  You were never just a coach, you were so much more."

We hope you kick back and enjoy that pool and make lots of memories with your other favorite title, being "Pop Pop".

A game ball signed by the Class of 2001 was presented at the 50 yard line.