COLEMAN, TX — Coleman High School head football coach and athletic director John Elder will not be returning to the school this fall, it was reported earlier this week by ColemanToday.com.
The move is a surprising one considering football practices begin in less than three weeks, and the Bluecats are currently without a head coach or AD.
Elder had a successful tenure with Coleman, compiling a record of 84-64 in 13 seasons, which included nine playoff trophies.
The Bluecats were coming off a 2-8 season in 2012 when Elder took over the program, and he immediately turned their fortunes around with a 5-6 record in 2013 and an 11-1 mark in 2014.
Coleman then had back-to-back 9-4 seasons in 2015 and 2016.
After three straight losing seasons, Elder got the Bluecats back on track with four consecutive winning seasons — highlighted by a 29-7 run with three playoff wins from 2021 to 2023.
The Bluecats went 4-8 in 2024 but managed to win a playoff game before struggling to a 2-8 record last year.
Elder first joined Coleman in 2010 before taking over as head football coach and AD three years later.
It’s unclear why Elder chose to leave so late in the summer, though there has been speculation online that his contract wasn’t renewed.
Coleman will now try to quickly find a replacement with football practices beginning Aug. 3.
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