Alvarez steps down as AD/HC at Copperas Cove

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

When opportunity knocks, you answer the door and that’s what former Copperas Cove athletic director and head football coach Jack Alvarez about his decision to resign from his post at Copperas Cove for the same position at Cuero ISD, pending approval at last night’s board meeting (meeting held after press deadline).

“It’s a timing thing,” Alvarez said during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. “Cuero really pursued me, and I liked what they had to say. It wasn’t anything negative about Cove. It was just the right time and they really pursued me.”

As a head coach, part of the equation is the impact you can have on the kids and the community, but another aspect is winning.

That weighed into the decision as well.

“I know they have 16 guys coming back and they are like the 10th winningest team in Texas history,” said Alvarez. “That’s about all I know about them.”

Alvarez notified his coaches and team during a team meeting on Tuesday and it was first reported by Matt Stepp of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

Alvarez was hired in May of 2018, missing out on spring practice but still managed to earn a playoff spot with a season-finale win over Temple. The Dawgs finished 3-7 in an injury-plagued 2019 season.

Alvarez, who went 10-11 in two seasons, is still under contract with Copperas Cove ISD through June.

The Cuero Gobblers also struggled through a 3-7 season in 2019 but lost just three game in the prior three seasons under former head coach Travis Reeve before breaking through with a Class 4A District II State Championship in 2018.

According to Texas Football, the Gobblers have 732 wins and are tied for 5th in all-time state championship game appearances with 11. The Gobblers are 10th in all-time consecutive wins with 44 from 1973-1975.

Nothing has officially been released from Copperas Cove ISD about the coaching change. 

Alvarez reiterated that it was just a timing and opportunity thing and it had nothing to do with his time in Cove.

“I really appreciate all the support I’ve gotten in my time here and the well wishes from the community,” said Alvarez. “It wasn’t anything negative about Copperas Cove. I support the kids, the school, the program and the community 100 percent.”