By MARK MOLINA, Staff Writer
Brownsville ISD athletic director Gilbert Leal confirmed Rivera football coach and athletic coordinator Tom Chavez was reassigned last Friday.
The move comes months after the Raiders finished the 2018 season 0-10 and brings an end to Chavez’s latest stint in Rivera after seven seasons.
“After 31 years as an athletic coordinator, head coach and athletic director in the Brownsville Independent School District,” Chavez said in a statement late Friday, “on February 14, 2019 I was advised by the Rivera High School principal and BISD athletic director of my reassignment for the remainder of the 2018-2019 school year. At this time, this is all I wish to elaborate on due to pending circumstances.
“I would like the opportunity to express that I am honored to have brought six district championships to the Brownsville Independent School District (five at Rivera High School and one at Hanna High School) along with a record 11 state playoff appearances,” the statement continued. “As a six-time recipient of coach of the year and a Hall of Fame Rio Grande Valley inductee, it has been my privilege to serve our esteemed district and bring notoriety whenever the opportunity has presented itself. As the former athletic director of the Brownsville Independent School District, president of the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association and director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, it has solely been my goal to serve the Brownsville Independent School District to the best of my abilities. Although this occurrence is unfortunate, untimely and unexpected, I will continue to always serve our athletic community and the Brownsville Independent School District with pride and dignity.”
Leal said he could not go into detail about why Chavez was reassigned but did say the open position was posted on the district website in an effort to fill the spot as quickly as possible.
“I do hope that we allow a comfortable amount of time to find somebody to go through the process,” the BISD athletic director said. “We don’t want to wait too long. We know it’s an important time for Rivera right now.”
Leal will oversee all operations at Rivera, as there are no plans to appoint anyone to the school on an interim basis.
This was Chavez’s second run with the Raiders, as he also coached the team from 1990 to 2004.
During his latest stay, Chavez was 17-59 and guided the Raiders to two playoff appearances, which included a share of the District 32-6A title and a regional semifinal appearance in 2014.
Since then, the Raiders have fallen on hard times, winning just two games in four seasons.