In 1910, he was teaching as an English instructor at Austin College.[5]
Coaching career
University of Texas
In 1912, Rix became the head basketball coach at Texas, replacing W. E. Metzenthin, who had moved into the position of athletic director.[6] Rix served in that capacity for one season and without pay.[6] According to the student yearbook, the Cactus, he "took hold of the squad when it found itself without a leader and quickly demonstrated his ability to transform it into a quintet that was as good as any in the state."[6]
At Texas, he also served as an assistant football coach under Dave Allerdice from 1911 through 1913.[2][7]
After a 30–7 loss to Notre Dame in 1913, Rix wrote in The Alcalde, "I was asked to criticize the playing of our team in this game. Had we won I should perhaps have been willing to do so. As it is, there is no necessity for it, for our men themselves, you may be assured, are criticizing themselves with a self-analysis, and sincerity and effectiveness that will do more for the development of football in Texas than a whole season of ordinary games."[8]
In February 1917, he accepted the position as athletic director at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.[10] At SMU, he served as the head basketball and football coach from 1917 to 1921. In 1921 he resigned as football coach after two games and was replaced by Bill Cunningham, also of Dartmouth, during a 1–6–1 campaign in 1921.[11][12]
University of Miami
In 1929, Rix became the second head football coach at the University of Miami after a group of local businessmen financially backed the school. Rix left after one season, however, when the Wall Street Crash of 1929 led to an end to the program's off-campus financing.[13]
^ abcRix served as SMU's head coach for the first two games of the season before resigning. Bill Cunningham led the team as interim head coach for the final six games. The Mustangs compiled an overall record of 1–6–1 with marks of 0–4 in Southwest Conference play and 1–3–1 against Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association opponents, placing seventh in both conferences.