GISD posts job opening for athletic director/football coach

The Gonzales Independent School District will be looking for a new athletic director and head football coach for the 2025-26 school year.

Apaches head football coach/athletic director Joey Rivera will not return for his fourth season with the team.

The school district posted the job opening on their website as of Thursday, Jan. 9.

Rivera joined the Apaches at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year; in his first season with the team, he established a team culture as the team went 4-6 overall and 2-3 in district.

By year two, in fall 2023, the Apaches were a playoff team for the first time since 2019, going 6-4 overall and 5-1 in district, finishing second to Cuero. Last season, the team moved into a district with Wimberley, Lago Vista, Navarro and Salado and struggled, going 3-7 overall and 1-5 in district.

Rivera finishes his career with the Apaches with a 13-17 record (8-9 in district) and finished as a bi-district finalist for the 2023 football season.

The Inquirer reached out to school district officials to ask why they are moving on from Rivera as AD and head football coach, but has received no response at this time.

Rivera released a statement about his departure from GISD:

“This job has always been about the kids, so I want to keep it that way. I love the athletes and students of GISD. That hasn’t and won’t change,” Rivera said.

“I want to thank the students, the coaches, and the community members who believed in our vision and helped build our program. Thank you to those who supported me and my family during our time here. This is home for us.

“I told the kids on Wednesday that God puts us where we are supposed to be when we are supposed to be there. I have trust in His plan for myself, my family, and for this community. I will be forever thankful that He brought us to Gonzales, Texas, because the friendships and relationships we made here will live with us wherever we go,” Rivera added.

“As a parent and community member, I would also like to personally thank Vandy [Van Epps], Lew [Cohn] and The Inquirer staff for their dedicated coverage of Gonzales athletics (and more). Their positive coverage of the Apaches shined a light on what high school athletics is all about: athletes and coaches trying their hardest to represent their community. Our town is lucky to have them,” Rivera said.