BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
Max Habecker Jr. confirmed Thursday that he intends to formally resign as Roma head football coach to become the linebackers coach at Edinburg North. The resignation will officially take effect on June 14.
“This move wasn’t planned, per se,” Habecker said. “Things come up and hard decisions have to be made. Right now, this is in the best interest of my family.”
Habecker, 36, met with his coaching staff individually and his players as a group to break the news.
“It was difficult for everyone involved,” Habecker said. “At the end of the day, they understood, and I got a lot of support and positive feedback from them. They know I’m only a phone call away if they need anything.”
Habecker spent the last 10 seasons laying the foundation at Roma, his alma mater. Habecker finished a combined 2-18 over his first two seasons at the school before turning the program around in his last eight with a combined 43-39-1 record, six consecutive non-losing seasons, the program’s first two playoff appearances and first ever bi-district playoff win. Francisco Villanueva, who served as the defensive coordinator for Habecker, has been named interim head coach by the Roma ISD school board.
“The way we were able to create a winning culture (at Roma) is something that I’ll always carry with me,” Habecker said. “There’s a lot of people involved with it, starting with the kids and coaching staff. I was blessed to work for two wonderful principals (Noe Muniz and Marissa Belmontes), an athletic director (Jaime Escobar) who was the consummate professional and (former Roma ISD superintendent) Jesus Guerra, who brought me in. He didn’t just hire me and wished me good luck. He was a mentor to me and helped me be a better coach and person.”
Roma athletic director Escobar learned of Habecker’s resignation request on June 1.
“We hate to see him go,” Escobar said. “He accomplished what he was hired to do: to create a successful football program. He increased the number of players at all levels from the seventh grade up, and that was very important to us.
“He did a good job for us, but we understand when some decisions have to be made. It’s his decision, and we respect it.”
Escobar said the district is in the midst of a statewide coaching search to replace Habecker.
“The position is currently open, and we’re starting to get some applicants,” Escobar said. “We’ll have some interviews, make a recommendation and take it from there.”
Tasked with finding a new linebackers coach, Edinburg North head coach Rene Saenz believes he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Habecker.
“We felt blessed and fortunate to get Max on board,” Saenz said. “He brings experience on both sides of the football, specifically the defensive side. Our kids will benefit from having him around, and our program will benefit, as well.”
Habecker and his family are planning to move into the McAllen area before he begins his new job.
“It’s a good program,” Habecker said. “Coach Saenz has a lot of experience. From the times I’ve visited, I can tell it’s very well-structured. The kids work hard. They’re hungry.
“When you make these decisions, you have to feel it. This is about going to a good program with a good head coach who I believe is a good person. I felt comfortable with the idea of working at Edinburg North.”