The two finalists for the vacant Victoria East football coach job, from left: Cy-Springs coach and former Ray coach Roland Gonzalez and East offensive coordinator Brad Eblen.
Search for East football coach nears conclusion
Originally published January 18, 2012 at 8:09 p.m., updated January 19, 2012 at 2:20 a.m.
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What should the VISD board do at its Thursday meeting regarding the East football coaching vacancy?
- Hire Brad Eblen 28% 35 votes
- Hire Roland Gonzalez 25% 31 votes
- Continue search 46% 57 votes
123 total votes.
Two finalists have emerged to become the head football coach at Victoria East.
East offensive coordinator Brad Eblen and current Cypress Springs and former Corpus Christi Ray head football coach Roland Gonzalez are the leading candidates to become the school's second head football coach, according to sources with knowledge of the coaching search.
Ralph Escalona, athletic director for the Victoria School District, expects a recommendation for the new head coach to be made at Thursday night's meeting of the board of trustees.
Escalona refused to comment on the finalists or who would be recommended by Superintendent Bob Moore.
The district received approximately 65 applications to replace Mickey Finley, who resigned in November after coaching the Titans to an 18-7 record, two playoff appearances and one district title in their first two seasons.
A search committee interviewed a group of candidates, including Victoria High graduate and current Columbia athletic director and head football coach Leland Surovik, who withdrew from consideration.
Eblen has been with the Victoria school district for six years.
He spent four seasons at Memorial and two at East. He was the head coach of the girls track and field team at Memorial before coaching the boys track and field team at East.
Eblen was the head football coach at Class 2A Somerville from 1999 through 2004. He had an overall record of 17-43.
Eblen has also coached at Grandview, Everman, Water Valley, New Deal and Muleshoe.
Gonzalez was a finalist to become the athletic director and head football coach at Memorial when Finley got the job before the 2007 season.
Gonzalez played quarterback at Ray and was the head coach at his alma mater for five seasons.
The Texans went 33-20, won two district championships and made four playoff appearances.
Gonzalez has a 10-29 record at Cypress Springs. The Panthers went 0-10 last season.
Gonzalez began his coaching career at Stephenville, where he was the head baseball coach, and also coached at Corpus Christi Moody and Corpus Christi King.
East finished second in District 30-4A last season and advanced to the Division I area playoffs before ending the season with a 7-5 record.
Comments
mexirican1423 says...
Both these finalist have losing records. Way would you even consider these two.
January 18, 2012 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
I have no clue when there was a few with winning records, but that can be deceiving too. My guess is it is going to be Brad Eblen since he is already knows the players and probably has a good report with them. We shall see...
January 18, 2012 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
panther04 says...
Typical VISD...let's hire the guy with a history of losing! You're right Stings84 Eblen probably does know all the kids but I believe it's time for a change at VE and hiring someone who was associated with Finley is NOT a change.
January 18, 2012 at 10:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLordtree says...
Wow, VISD must think you hire worst resumes not best. Interesting. Plenty with great resumes, history, connections, etc and chooses jokes. Typical for Moore.
January 19, 2012 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weddell88 says...
Not sure why Morris from Bellaire didn't even get a interview? Nice record at a non football school.....
January 19, 2012 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roberttx says...
shame that surovik withdrew, he seemed like a strong choice
January 19, 2012 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
panther04 says...
I'm just totally stumped by this...still doesn't make sense. All those applicants and THIS is what we end up with??!! Face it..... Moore just doesn't care what quality of staff he brings in.
January 19, 2012 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
VictoriaNative says...
I am speechless but not in a good way.
January 19, 2012 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stings84 says...
Roland Gonzalez is at the school board meeting and will be recommended tonight. We all need to support our new coach.
January 19, 2012 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weddell88 says...
I hear Art Briles and DW Rutledge personally called Moore to endorse Gonzales ..... Pretty high recommendations
January 19, 2012 at 10:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
VictoriaNative says...
Gonzalez has a 10-29 record at Cypress Springs. The Panthers went 0-10 last season
January 20, 2012 at 12:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mexirican1423 says...
I give him two years then he's out
January 20, 2012 at 5:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GridironJS says...
He's Ralphies boy. Good Luck to Escalona. He better hope like heck his boy wins some football games.
January 20, 2012 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HOTSHOT17 says...
I hope this school doesn't like Music.....Roland does not allow Music. Cy-Spring is lucking someone is willing to take him of their hands. Good Luck you are going to need it!
March 19, 2012 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d6975 says...
Looks like I will follow Refugio this year. Titans will be a joke for a while.
March 22, 2012 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )