Gonzales ISD hires Rivera as new AD, head football coach

Gonzales ISD has their new athletic director and head football coach — hiring Hays CISD athletic coordinator and assistant head football coach Joseph Rivera on Wednesday, Dec. 15, by a unanimous vote of the GISD Board of Trustees.

The school district announced Rivera’s hiring on Facebook late Wednesday afternoon. He was GISD superintendent John Schumacher’s recommendation after reviewing more than 60 applications and vetting 12 candidates through a two-part interview process, the district said in its statement.

Rivera will begin his tenure as the Apache athletic department head when the district returns from its holiday break in January 2022.

“Pride. Passion. Purpose. These words define Joseph Rivera’s life mission,” the district said in its statement. “Mr. Rivera’s fifteen year journey as an educator and coach has taught him the technique of how to be a successful coach, but, most importantly, why he wants to coach.

“His passion for students and the community balanced with his love and prioritization of character building for his students and staff are the foundation of success for his athletic program.”

Rivera served as athletic coordinator, assistant head football coach, and head track coach at Moe and Gene Johnson High School in Hays CISD for the past three years.

Prior to his tenure at Johnson High School, he served as the athletic director and head football coach at Pearsall ISD. He and his family also enjoyed their time in Corsicana, Texas, where he served as assistant head football coach, defensivecoordinator and assistant track coach.

He began his career at his alma mater in 2006 at Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Texas, after graduating from Texas A&M University.

Rivera and his wife, Lauren, have three children: Augustus (6), Emmitt (3), and Elyse (4 months).

“My family is thankful for this opportunity, and I cannot wait to start working with the student athletes of Gonzales ISD,” Rivera said in the statement. “We can’t express how great it feels to be an Apache! Roll Tribe!”