Pasadena High School graduate T.J. Mills became one of the most celebrated coaches in Texas high school football history. As head coach of Sealy High School, he guided the Tigers to an unprecedented four consecutive Class 3A state championships from 1993–1997, the first program in Texas to achieve that feat. In 14 years at Sealy, his teams compiled a remarkable 148-38 record, including a 63-1 run and 24 straight playoff victories, before he went on to coach at Odessa Permian and La Porte. Over his 23-year career, Mills earned 195 wins, 12 district championships, and 15 playoff appearances.

A four-time Texas Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year, Mills was also honored multiple times as District Coach of the Year and Fab Knit Coach of the Year. He served in leadership roles with the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association and was later inducted into its Hall of Honor. In 2014, he was enshrined in the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor, joining two of his Pasadena High mentors, Robert “Bob” Barfield and Stoney Phillips.

Beyond football, Mills was deeply rooted in Pasadena, where he grew up playing Little League and Friday night football before graduating from Pasadena High in 1972. He earned a degree in Physical Education and Math from Texas State University, married his high school sweetheart Becky Chambers, and taught math in Pasadena ISD while raising three daughters—Cortney, Kelly, and Kasey.

Mills passed away in 2015 at the age of 60, leaving behind a legacy of pride, integrity, and championship excellence that continues to inspire Texas high school athletics.