GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
PSJA Memorial head football coach and athletic coordinator Gus Cavazos is stepping down from his position to become the director of the Safe Schools Initiative for PSJA ISD. He announced his decision on Friday via email.
Cavazos said the Safe Schools Initiative is a new addition to PSJA ISD as the result of a recent federal grant. He said he’ll be working to try to “redirect kids into positive programs” not just at PSJA Memorial, but throughout PSJA ISD.
“I did some soul searching, because I love football and I love the kids here,” Cavazos said. “But I just felt, at this stage in my life, it’s a great opportunity for me and my family. It’s something I think I can make a difference with kids throughout the entire district. I’m pretty pumped up about it.”
PSJA ISD athletics director Orlando Garcia said a decision about an interim athletics coordinator and football coach at Memorial will likely come Monday after discussions with the principal and others within the department.
He said the job will be posted as a joint athletic coordinator and football coach position, and that he is hoping to fill it as quickly as possible.
“I’m very happy for Gus, it’s a good move for him,” Garcia said. “But at the same time, he was doing a real good job for us. He was very loyal and did a lot of good things for that program, so we’re going to respect how he wants to move forward.”
Cavazos has been the head coach at PSJA Memorial for the past seven years following a four-year stint at Rio Hondo. He boasts a 68-50 career record, including a pair of district championships.
After finishing the 2013 season 2-8, PSJA Memorial returned a number of critical pieces this season and had expectations of contending for a playoff spot. The 2014 Wolverines, however, were hit heavily by injury and finished the year just 4-6.
Among Cavazos’ career highlights are the first nine-win season in PSJA Memorial history in 2010 and the first 11-win season in Rio Hondo history in 2007.
Cavazos has made a major impact on football throughout the Valley, as five of his former assistants are now working as head coaches: Rocky James at Rio Hondo, Steve Marroquin at PSJA High, Dan Gomez at San Benito, Jorge Pena at PSJA North and most recently Carlos Saenz at Valley View.
Cavazos said he is proud that so many of his assistants have gone on to head jobs, but that working with the kids will always be his most powerful memory. Thirteen of his players have been Associated Press All-State selections.
“We’ve been able to help a lot of kids,” Cavazos said. “Several of our kids have had opportunities to go on to play college football. Coming from our area, that’s a real testament to how hard these kids have worked.”
Cavazos didn’t want to rule out a possible return to football but said that his full focus is on the Safe Schools Initiative.
“I’ve learned in this job: Never say never,” Cavazos said. “But right now, my full focus is going to be to get this program off the ground and make it very successful. Maybe several years down the road or something it’s possible, but right now that really isn’t my plan.”