BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
Edinburg North coach Rene Saenz had been a part of the North football program for 23 years, until Thursday night when he found out he was being reassigned.
Saenz started with ECISD in the feeder program, working at different middle schools for 10 years. In 2005, when now-Edinburg CISD athletics director Roy Garza was made head coach at Edinburg North, Garza brought Saenz on as a defensive coordinator. Saenz had served as North’s head coach and athletics coordinator for the past four years.
“We had a great working relationship while coaching together,” Garza said. “It’s a tough decision, but the district chose to go in a different direction.”
Saenz first received word that his job was in jeopardy before a board meeting held by ECISD on Thursday night. He met with Garza and other school administrators at 2 p.m. Friday at Richard Flores Stadium, where he was read a letter saying he had been reassigned to Barrientes Middle School as a physical education teacher. Saenz was told the decision was based on the direction of superintendent Rene Gutierrez.
Saenz is yet to meet with his team, but he hopes to do so before he leaves the school.
“I love the kids I have coached,” Saenz said. “I respect them tremendously. This year, the way they fought, they never quit playing hard.”
In Week 9 this year, Edinburg North had the most difficult path of the three teams vying for the fourth playoff spot in District 31-6A.
North earned a win over PSJA Memorial in overtime in Week 10 to substantially improve its odds of making the playoffs. Then, a Week 11 win over PSJA High secured Saenz’s third trip to the postseason in his fourth year as the head coach.
The Cougars returned just one starter on defense coming into the year and had to cycle through three quarterbacks due to injuries.
“Sometimes these decisions aren’t just about football,” Garza said. “Parents sometimes get involved. They want their kids to play more and play different positions. … It was a tough year overall. Expectations were very high this year. They are still fairly young. It is very volatile and across the Valley. Year in and year out, six or seven coaches will have to move on. That’s basically it.”