DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Elias Martinez, the man responsible for guiding the San Benito softball program to two UIL state Final Four appearances in the past three seasons, is now taking his talents to Harlingen South.
On Tuesday night, Harlingen Athletic Director Randy Cretors confirmed that Martinez accepted the job.
“Coach Martinez comes to our district with a wealth of experience and success,” Cretors said. “Coach Martinez is well-respected throughout the state for his softball programs and his leadership in developing his teams as a state contender.
“I am sure that our Harlingen South softball team is excited about the announcement.”
Martinez was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
According to information provided by Harlingen CISD in response to a Public Information Request regarding the matter, Martinez was one of 18 candidates who applied for the job.
The Harlingen South softball job went up for grabs at the end of this past season when longtime coach Debbie Esparza retired.
According to the Public Information Request, the job pays a $7,200 coaching stipend in addition to a board approved teacher salary, which depends on years of experience.
During his 18 seasons, Martinez took the San Benito softball program to heights never before seen in the Valley.
Under his tutelage, the Lady ’Hounds have made it to the Sweet 16 seven times, the Elite 8 three times and the state semifinals twice.
Other notables who applied for the job included Robert Amitrani, an assistant coach under Esparza; Krystal Leal, a former Lady Hawks softball player; Amos Salas, the track & field coach at Santa Rosa; and Brett Esparza, the current head softball coach at Rio Hondo.
Also on Tuesday, Cretors confirmed that Cassandra Hernandez, a former Harlingen South softball player, was named the new head softball coach at Harlingen High.
Cretors said Hernandez pitched for Texas A&M University-Kingsville for four years and also served as a head coach in the San Antonio Edgewood Independent School District.
“She also was a pitching coach the last 2 years for two different college programs,” Cretors said of Hernandez. “We are extremely excited to have Cassandra accept her new role as the Harlingen High softball coach.”
The head softball coaching job at Harlingen High became vacant after longtime coach Lance White stepped down at the end of the 2015 season.
Fourteen candidates were up for the Harlingen High job, many of which had also applied for the South position. Hernandez had also applied at South. Martinez, meanwhile, only applied for the Lady Hawks job.
LIST OF CANDIDATES
Harlingen South
Elias Martinez
Jessica Acuna
Robert Amitrani
Jerry Banda
Ruben Cortez
Cruz de la Garza
Brett Esparza
Karissa Garcia
Cassandra Hernandez
Krystal Leal
Jorge Martinez
Manuel Martinez
Alfredo Muniz
Rachel Ramp
Roberto Rocha
Amos Salas
Timothy Sands
Wendy Wells
Harlingen High
Cassandra Hernandez
Jessica Acuna
Nora Aguilar
Jerry Banda
Ruben Cortez
Cruz de la Garza
Karissa Garcia
Julian Gonzalez
Jorge Martinez
Alfredo Muniz
Roberto Rocha
Amos Salas
Timothy Sands
Wendy Wells