Author's Biography
Gerald Brence has written three novel books. Ox in the Culvert is historical fiction about a disgraced Texas Ranger who guards a stagecoach on a treacherous journey to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush. Agent 49 is also a historical fiction story about one of the greatest crimes in American history. The 70-30 Split, is in its fourth printing. Brence taught high school English for nine years. During that time, much of his focus centered on teaching high school students many of the classic American novels. He went on to become the head football coach at Plano Senior High School for 16 years. The Wildcats won the Texas 5A state championship in 1994. Brence was named the Texas coach of the year in 1993 and 2005. Currently he is the district athletic director for the Plano Independent School District. He resides in Plano, Texas with his wife, Elizabeth. Brence's second novel is tentatively scheduled for release in early 2015.
Gerald Brence has taught high school English for years. Much of his focus during that time has been on classic novels. Eventually, he became the head football coach at Plano Senior High School. The Wildcats won the state championship in 1994, and he was named the Texas Coach of the Year twice. After serving for 13 years as the Plano District Athletic Director, Brence started his writing career. His first novel, Ox in the Culvert, is historical fiction about the California Gold Rush. It tells the story of a disgraced Texas Ranger who guards a stagecoach on a treacherous journey to San Francisco.. Agent 49 is also historical fiction about one of the greatest crimes in American history. It chronicles a true story of how the blueprint of the atom bomb was passed from America to the Soviet Union. Old Money is a tale of three young boys in Eastern Kansas who take on the town bully. What was fun and games as kids becomes life and death when they reach adulthood. The 70-30 Split is Brence’s own humorous account of his experience as a high school football coach in Texas. He tells the inside story on the ups and downs of the Lone Star State’s favorite game. After retiring in 2019, Brence went back to his roots teaching high school literature and coaching football at McKinney Christian Academy. He resides in McKinney with his wife, Elizabeth.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss
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Book Details
Print length: 348 pagesLanguage: English
Publication date: November 23, 2019
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.78(d)
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Book Details
Print length: 212 pagesLanguage: English
Publication date: January 15, 2024
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.48(d)
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Book Details
Print length: 324 pagesLanguage: English
Publication date: October 31, 2023
Product dimensions: 5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x 0.73(d)
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Book Details
Print length: 170 pagesLanguage: English
Publication date: March 2, 2014
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.36(d)
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Gerald Brence Books
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Ox in the Culvert
Published Date: November 23, 2019
Texas Ranger Ray Andrews was tired of hearing about the California gold rush. His best friend and fellow Ranger, Tom Jenkins, constantly badgered him about it. Tom wanted to quit the Rangers and head west, but Ray wasn't interested. Both their lives changed forever the day they entered a shooting contest in Austin. Samuel Colt had just developed the new Colt Navy revolver. He sponsored a competition to promote his product. Ray won the contest. Tom finished fourth. The top ten Ranger shooters received one of the new revolvers. They also received a mission to guard a payroll wagon into the Indian country of deep Southwest Texas. Ray and Tom didn't know about the payroll mission when they entered the contest.
Old Money
Published Date: January 15, 2024
Three young boys obtain jobs working for an old farmer in Eastern Kansas. Their first assignment together is to haul a trailer full of cattle across an old, worn-out bridge. They tag each other with the nicknames of Runt, Mule, and Kid. Those nicknames become their identities forever. Soon, they band together to take on the town bully. A rivalry develops that lasts for years. Their childhood experiences bond them together. They become closer than family. However, it comes at a high price. As they grow older, the paths they take put a strain on their relationships. What was once fun and games as kids become life and death as adults.
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Agent 49
Published Date: October 31, 2023
Master thief is recruited by the government to spy on a plot to commit one of the greatest crimes in the 1940s. Billy Hathaway was just another thrill-seeking young man until he was involved in a drunken Saturday night brawl. After being thrown in jail, he is recruited by the government. His assignment is to keep an eye on a young scientist named Ted Hall who is working on the Manhattan Project. Eventually, Billy becomes a reluctant witness to the passing of the atomic bomb blueprint to Russia.
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The 70-30 Split
Published Date: March 2, 2014
A Practical guide to Motivation, Leadership, and Coaching.
BUY NOWTestimonials
Book Reviews
First time novelist Gerald Brence has written a wonderful page-turner that accurately reflects 19th century western history. He is a master storyteller, and there are enough sub-plots and colorful characters to fill a book twice as long. You have to get to the final chapters for this surprise ending that cleverly weaves together real history and Brence's imaginative fiction. I highly recommend it.
- Rebecca Brown
This book is as good as anything ever written about the Old West. Have you ever wondered exactly what it was like to ride a stagecoach across Injun Country and into California? Or how the west coast of this country got settled, with the huge Asian influence? Or how well-trained and mentally tough a Texas Ranger really was at that time? The exhaustive research novelist Gerald Brence has done on all this material leads to a rip-roaring novel you literally will not be able to put down.
- Kevin Long
Love this book! I am not a history fan, but this book had me captivated from the beginning. It is a truly good read, and I did not want it to end.
- Deborah Lindley
Ambushed and taken on a trip back in time. Gerald Brence carries us on a journey when the west was wild and heroes rode horses and wore cowboy hats. "Ox in the Culvert" delivers on every level...action, romance, and adventure. Saddle up and ride!
- John Burnett
Gallery
Videos
PlanoFootball.com: Gerald Brence on "The 70-30 Split"
NFF Awards Banquet - Gerald Brence
Gerald Brence on PISD's on-demand game video
Gerald Brence - The 70-30 Split
Gerald Brence - 2007 Plano vs Plano East 1
NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Hosts 15th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet
Awards
NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Hosts 15th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet
In addition to recognizing seven influential people in amateur football, the chapter also honors five collegiate and 40 high school scholar-athletes.
NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Scholar-Athlete
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a $2,500 college scholarship were awarded to Cooper Peach from Arlington High School.
Scott Murray Community Service Award
Joshua Palma, of Plano East High School, was the recipient of the Scott Murray Community Service Award and a $1,000 college scholarship, for his dedication to serving others.
Palma played wide receiver for the Panthers and Coach Tony Benedetto. He was a 2-year letterman and was team captain his senior year.
He was a THSCA Academic All-State honoree along with being an All-District Academic award winner for both his junior and senior seasons. Palma was also awarded the Dave Campbell’s Impactful Leadership Award and helped Plano East make the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Palma carries a 4.02 GPA, is involved in the National Honor Society, AVID, and received the Academic Excellence Award back in 2021. He is active with the Plano East Student Senate and involved in several community service programs. Palma has accumulated 65 hours of service thus far in high school and plans on attending either Howard University or Austin College in the fall.
Army Black Knight Award
The Army Black Knight Award and a $1,000 college scholarship were presented to Xavier Richmond of Western Hills High School in Fort Worth by former Army veterans, Ryan Brence and Join Voit.
Richmond played cornerback for Coach Blake Moilan. He was a 2-year letterman and Second Team All-District as a senior.
He participates in the National Honor Society and All-A Honor Roll. He is a member of the Key Club, Drama Club, Paws Service Club, and the Western Hills Cougar Foundation. Richmond is also the treasurer of the National Honor Society and an Eagle Scout. He participates in UIL Theatre and was named an All-Star Cast Award winner. Richmond was also a district champion in track last year. He is undecided on his college plans.
Steve Hatchell NFF Extra Mile Award
Abdi Hernandez, of West Mesquite High School, was presented with a $1,000 college scholarship and the inaugural Steve Hatchell NFF Extra Mile Award, named for the president and CEO of the National Football Foundation.
Hernandez played tight end, offensive line, long snapper, and was team captain for Coach Frank Sandoval.
Hernandez carries a 3.8 GPA, was an AP Scholar both his junior and senior year, an AP Scholar with Honor for two years and was on the A/B Honor Roll. He was involved in powerlifting, track and field, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, AP Club, Student Council, and his church group. Hernandez logged over 80 hours of community service and works at Marshalls. He was on the West Mesquite Athletic Leadership Council, Superintendent Advisory Council, and the Student Council Community Chair. Hernandez has currently completed 14 AP academic courses and plans to attend Harvard University in the fall.
Passion Grants Award
The inaugural Passion Grants Award and a $2,500 college scholarship were presented to Drew Noonan of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas for his essay regarding his passion to help others.
The award was sponsored by the Passion Grants Foundation.
Noonan played outside linebacker and defensive end for Jesuit and was a two-year letterman for Coach Brandon Hickman. He was named 1st Team Academic All-State by the THSCA and was the WFAA Channel 8 Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Week.
Noonan won the Golden Helmet Award for having the highest GPA on the football team and was awarded the Ranger Heart Award for the senior who demonstrates heart, support, and encouragement for his teammates. Noonan also runs track, writes for the school newspaper, and acts in Theatre performances.
Noonan carries a 98.5 GPA and has won several academic awards including the Pedro Arrupe Award and the S J Award. He has been on the principal’s honor roll seven times and is a member of the National Honor Society. Noonan has won awards from the Entrepreneurship Club, the Campus Ambassadors Club, and is involved in numerous other service and leadership organizations. He is undecided on his college plans.
Collegiate Scholar-Athletes
The NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas recognized five collegiate scholar-athletes at the awards banquet. Collegiate candidates were selected from universities around north Texas based on their athletic accomplishments, academic performance, and leadership in the community.
