By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The Los Fresnos CISD school board approved David Cantu to be the next head football coach/athletic director for the Falcons on Monday.
Cantu spent the last nine seasons as the coach and athletic coordinator at Brownsville Veterans Memorial. He went 61-33 in his time with the Chargers, and though he said it was a difficult decision to leave, he feels at peace with the move. Cantu is a Los Fresnos alumnus and former Falcons linebacker with deep ties to the community, and he’s grateful to be back.
“It’s an emotional time for me, going back home,” Cantu said. “It’s where I grew up, where I started my coaching career. I’m the son of a Falcon, the grandson of a Falcon — matter of fact, my grandmother was the first Hispanic ever to graduate from the school in 1941. My roots run pretty deep there, and that community means a lot to me. It’s pretty amazing and humbling.”
Cantu is replacing Patrick Brown, who went 25-28 in five seasons with the Falcons and was reassigned to “a new role on the Los Fresnos CISD Leadership Team” in December following a 2-4, 1-2 District 32-6A season.
The newly appointed coach is focusing on accomplishing some short-term goals before looking long-term. He wants to increase the number of kids participating in football and quickly start to “establish a culture that’s positive and has open communication.”
Already, Cantu is looking forward to having a good spring season with the Falcons during which he can start implementing his “explosive offense that’s going to have fun both throwing and running” the football. After 11 years as a head coach with district titles and playoff wins under his belt, Cantu feels prepared and ready to take on the gauntlet that is Los Fresnos’ District 32-6A.
“The expectations are high at Los Fresnos. I know because I played here, I coached here. But to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cantu said. “People rise up to the expectations you have for them more often than not. Being a part of that district is definitely going to be a challenge, every single team is strong and has amazing leadership, but the way I see it, why not us?”
Cantu said he has experienced “a spectrum of emotions” since being approved as the new Falcons coach and reflected fondly on many things from his time with the Chargers. He’s excited for his future with the Falcons and has nothing but respect for Brownsville Veterans, Brownsville ISD athletics and the Chargers community.
“We have an amazing administration at Veterans led by our principal, Dr. Linda Gallegos. We have an amazing community, amazing students who are willing to sacrifice and compete with amazing sportsmanship and tenacity, and a coaching staff that’s been together, most of us, for the nine years I’ve been here,” Cantu said.
“Having the opportunity to coach my son, David Jacob, his four years of high school was very special,” he added. “We have a tradition here at Veterans that’s been from the very beginning, where as soon as the bus turns onto Charger Lane, the kids start singing the school song. Sometimes you wonder, after a tough loss, if it’s going to happen. And 100 percent of the time, regardless of what happened, the kids would sing the school song with pride. Those moments really stand out in my mind.”
Following Cantu’s hire, Brownsville ISD athletic director Gilbert Leal expressed his gratitude and well-wishes for the former Chargers coach on social media and said “Los Fresnos is getting an incredible leader that truly understands how to build a successful culture.”
BISD has posted the athletic coordinator/head football coach job on its website to begin searching for Cantu’s replacement.