By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Despite a rumor to the contrary, Port Isabel football coach Monty Stumbaugh isn’t leaving.
The Tarpons coach was irritated about a tweet posted Wednesday from EJ Holland that said the long-time coach and the school were in the process of parting ways.
“I’m still there, my contract is still the same,” Stumbaugh said. “My contract ends in June 2017. It’s mine until then.”
Every January, the Port Isabel Independent School District reviews all contracts within the district for coaches, teachers and everyone in between.
Stumbaugh said his contract was reviewed as it is every year at this time.
“They took a look at it. If they didn’t take any action, it continues,” he said after dealing with a similar situation in 2011. “Next January it will come up and they will renew it or not.”
Stumbaugh wanted to quell the rumors that he was on his way out.
“I got a job, and that’s all I know,” he said. “I haven’t parted ways as EJ said. I’m still at Port Isabel. I’m still the AD and head football coach.”
The Tarpons’ coach said there is a possibility in the future, though.
“Unless some great thing comes along that I just can’t refuse, then so be it,” Stumbaugh said. “I’m close to retirement, and you have to take care of your family. If you get a job that pays more and can help you in retirement because that’s what you’re going to live on soon, you’ll always look into it.”
Stumbaugh is happy where he is at the helm of Port Isabel, where he has won more than 100 games in 15 seasons.
“I’ve always liked it there, there’s some really good people there,” he said. “I love the kids, or I’d been gone a long time ago. Right now, my job is (athletic director) and head football coach at Port Isabel. I’ve been fortunate enough to be there (for so long).”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.