BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — PSJA High is a program steeped in tradition. Now, the Bears may be able to add to that tradition.
The PSJA ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to select Lupe Rodriguez as its new coach at PSJA High on Monday
“It’s a great opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “An opportunity I have been waiting for, for a while. I am very grateful to PSJA High for giving me this opportunity to be a head coach.”
Rodriguez replaces Steve Marroquin, who was the coach at PSJA High for four years.
Rodriguez brings over 20 years of coaching experience, but perhaps his most valuable experience came less than a month ago.
Rodriguez was the offensive coordinator at Mission Veterans this past season. He was part of a Patriots team that made it to the third round, despite facing long odds to get there.
“Getting a coach that has been there,” Rodriguez said regarding what he felt he offers PSJA High. “And inheriting a team that runs the same style of offense, letting the players know that it is possible for a team from down here to make it to that third round and to be successful. It’s something that I can use to bring that tradition back into PSJA High. Believing, that’s one of the biggest things is getting the kids to believe. I think reaching that level will really help me to get this team going.”
Rodriguez brings his patented spread offense. PSJA High also ran a spread offense this year. Perhaps even more fitting, Rodriguez has been known as a bit of a quarterback specialist. He has worked with the likes of Diego Hernandez, Landry Gilpin and Santos Villarreal to name a few. Now he will get to work with all-district first team quarterback Trey Guajardo. The sophomore sensation threw for 1,306 and 10 touchdowns and ran for 1,009 and 10 more TDs.
“I have been fortunate here at Mission Veterans to have a great athlete at the quarterback position,” Rodriguez said. “That is something that we thrive on: a quarterback with such talent and then we build the system around that quarterback.”
Rodriguez has been in the area for most of his career with stops at PSJA North, Mission High and Valley View, before spending the last eight years as offensive coordinator at Mission Veterans.
Rodriguez said he is excited about bringing his brand of football to PSJA High.
“Fans can expect an exciting offense,” Rodriguez said. “It’s an offense that Friday nights are meant for. That is something that they can look forward to, an explosive offense that can win games.”