BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
After six years of coaching the McAllen High Lady Bulldogs, Roy Gonzalez announced Wednesday that he is resigning from the position effective Friday.
“After being a part of this program in one way or another since 1978, my love for this school and this program allowed me to make this decision in the interest of the McHi Lady Bulldogs,” Gonzalez said in a statement released via email. “It was not an easy choice, but we move ahead anyway.”
Gonzalez became the McHi head coach in 2010, leading the team to four playoff appearances and a 49-33 record in district play. Gonzalez worked as an assistant for 13 years under former Lady Bulldogs coach Teresa Casso, who is also Gonzalez’s aunt.
Gonzalez was 10 years old when Casso coached the first five-on-five girls basketball team fielded by McHi in 1978 and attended the team’s inaugural game — a contest against PSJA High. Since that time, Gonzalez says he’s attended over 1,300 Lady Bulldogs basketball games as a spectator or coach.
“I always have high expectations for this program,” Gonzalez said during a phone interview. “I’m not happy with where we’re at. I think it’s best to let someone else get a chance at it and show what they can do.”
Despite making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons in District 30-6A, the Lady Bulldogs have gone 11-13 in district competition while dealing with recurring injuries to key players and counting on underclassmen to step up and produce.
Gonzalez says he’s contemplated resignation and life after basketball before, beginning last season when the battered and bruised Lady Bulldogs opened district play with an 0-4 record. Gonzalez addressed his team Wednesday to inform them of his decision to step down.
“Of course the kids get emotional, no matter what,” Gonzalez said. “If you rip ‘em get after ‘em, these kids know that we love them and do everything we do for them to succeed. I just told them that they need to move forward. I told them I knew they’d be successful from here on in. This decision had nothing to do with them.”
Gonzalez says he looks forward to spending more time with family, but is keeping his options open regarding a possible return to the hardwood.
“If something presents itself, I’d look at it,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t think i’m done with coaching. I don’t want to say I’ll never coach again.”