BREAKING NEWS : ‘Cherished’ Coach and Wife, Found Dead in Texas Flood Rescue 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧

In a devastating turn of events, a beloved high school football coach and his wife have been confirmed dead after being swept away in flash floods that ravaged the Texas Hill Country over the weekend.

Coach Michael “Mike” Daniels, 47, and his wife Laura Daniels, 44, were attempting to assist stranded neighbors during a rescue effort late Saturday night when their vehicle was engulfed by rapidly rising floodwaters near Blanco County.

Local authorities say the couple was last seen near a low-water crossing around 11:45 p.m., attempting to help evacuate an elderly resident whose home was under threat.

Moments later, witnesses reported hearing frantic cries before the vehicle was submerged by a sudden surge of water.

After an intensive two-day search involving local firefighters, volunteers, drones, and K9 units, the bodies of Mike and Laura Daniels were recovered early Monday morning roughly two miles downstream.

A Community in Mourning

Coach Daniels, affectionately known by students as “Coach D,” had led Pine Creek High School’s varsity football team for over a decade.

Under his leadership, the team achieved multiple district championships and a rare state finals appearance in 2022.

He was widely admired not just for his athletic guidance but for his unwavering mentorship and deep compassion for students.

“He wasn’t just a coach — he was a father figure to hundreds,” said Principal Angela Martinez. “Mike and Laura represented the very best of what it means to serve your community. Their loss is immeasurable.”

Laura Daniels was a longtime teacher and youth group leader at Faithpoint Church, known for her generosity and devotion to underserved children. The couple, who had been married 21 years, leave behind two teenage children, ages 14 and 17.

Rising Toll of the Floods

The tragic loss of the Daniels couple brings the official death toll of the recent Texas floods to 15, with more residents still missing.

Torrential rainfall — upwards of 8 inches in some areas — triggered flash floods across several counties, stranding dozens and damaging hundreds of homes.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a state of emergency and has mobilized the National Guard and FEMA to assist in ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

“We grieve with the Daniels family and the Pine Creek community,” Abbott said in a statement Tuesday. “Their courage and selflessness remind us of the quiet heroes among us.”

Candlelight Vigil and Support

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Pine Creek High School Stadium, where students, staff, and community members will gather to honor the lives of Mike and Laura Daniels.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support their children and has already raised over $75,000 in less than 24 hours.

As Pine Creek and the surrounding region begin the long road to recovery, the memory of the Daniels couple — their heroism, kindness, and love for others — will endure in the hearts of all who knew them.