This week's cover reveal of the 2025 DCTF Summer Magazine got us thinking: What are our staff's favorite covers of all-time?

Check out our selections below and let us know what yours are by tagging us on X.

GREG TEPPER - 1990

It's hard to pick just one, but I've always loved the 1990 cover featuring Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes. Part of our process when designing the cover of the magazine is, how can we tell the story visually? And I'm not sure we've ever captured the essence of a man quite like we did with coach Dykes — bellowing a hearty guffaw in front of Jones Stadium and the All-American Bowl trophy they earned in 1989. It perfectly encapsulates the personality that made Dykes such an iconic figure across the state of Texas.

ASHLEY PICKLE - 2020

This might be an unpopular opinion, but the 2020 cover featuring Shane Buechele is my favorite. We has a cover shoot idea for SMU all planned out and had to scrap it because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Figuring out which image we were going to use was probably one of the most debated covers we've had since I've been here and it made the whole process more fun. The red and blue accents matching the Dave Campbell's masthead, the white uniform standing out against the dark background. Made lemonade out of lemons and it turned out very visually appealing.

MIKE CRAVEN - 2016

2016 cover with Mahomes, Kingsbury. An ode to the past that ended up becoming more iconic because Mahomes is on his way to becoming the best QB in NFL history. Kingsbury is a GQ model so that explains itself. An added bonus is the the gatefold cover of Todd Dodge and Sam Ehlinger in that same issue.

MATT STEPP - 2000

My favorite is the 2000 cover of Cedric Benson, its a great action shot of Benson coming downhill at DKR Memorial Stadium as he led Midland Lee to the second of three straight titles on his future college homefield. He's playing on natural grass, so there's grass stains on his jersey and he's running right at you. Plus its the only HS only main cover in the magazine's history.

GREG POWERS - 1965

When I think of DCTF covers, the 1965 Donny Anderson one always stands out to me as being iconic. Adding a personal twist, I had the chance to cover his grandson, Sawyer Anderson, at Parish Episcopal.

GAVIN MORITZ - 2022

My all-time favorite DCTF cover is the 2022 “Forged on Friday” cover, featuring Joey McGuire and Jeff Traylor. I think this is one of our most important covers, as it showcases two coaches who rose through the high school ranks to land big-time collegiate head coaching jobs. There’s just something about high school coaches successes translating to the next level, especially two legends.

CARTER YATES - 2009

My favorite cover is the 2009 edition with Colt McCoy and the bold prediction that he’d lead Texas to the national championship. We’re a shoulder injury away from it coming true.

CYERA PIEPER - 2009

If I had to pick a favorite Dave Campbell’s cover, it would be the 2009 edition for a couple of reasons. First, there’s something so bold about a prediction on the cover instead of a question: “Colt McCoy WILL lead Horns to a National Title.” Second, I’m a lifelong Colt McCoy superfan! I was around eight years old when he was at his peak at Texas — those were some of the first football games I remember watching, that's when my love for the sport truly began.

VIANEY MORENO - 2024

2024 Cover! This was my first magazine working full time for DCTF and I wrote a story in there (:

CORY HOGUE - 2003

Everything about that cover is iconic, from the cowboy hat and belt buckle to the Texas jersey and Bevo in the background. I'd love to have that in a poster size on my living room wall. Hint, hint, Alicia.

WILLIAM WILKERSON - 1963

DKR is a coaching god to me, so any cover with him on it would be my favorite. I especially like this one because of the vibrant colors and the fact that it cost 75 cents. Also, would we have the legendary 2016 cover with Kingsbury and Mahomes, who are in a similar pose, if this cover didn't exist?