With Ron Rittimann’s retirement this week at Alamo Heights, that job becomes one of the state’s most attractive job openings.

Who would we call if we were the superintendent at Alamo Heights ISD?

Candidates listed below in alphabetical order

Mike Barranco, OC Alamo Heights: Considering the success Alamo Heights has had over the past few years (five double digit win seasons in a row, two regional final appearances), the smart money here is an internal hire in offensive coordinator Mike Barranco. Barranco was with Coach Rittiman at San Antonio Johnson and followed Rittimann to Alamo Heights in 2020. This would be about as seamless a transition as you could get without upsetting the apple cart too much.

Stephen Basore, HC San Antonio Brennan: You’d be hard-pressed to find a head coach in the city limits of San Antonio with more success than Brennan’s Stephen Basore. He has turned the Bears into a 6A powerhouse in the area posting an impressive 150-49 record in 16 seasons at BHS. He took Brennan to the state title game in 2013 as a 5A-Division I program and he’s led Brennan to the regional championship game three other times. He’s led Brennan to six straight seasons of ten or more wins. If there’s a local head coach who gets a call, Basore is the most accomplished of the group.

Jeff Fleener, HC Forney: Most know Forney’s head coach as a “DFW Guy,” and for good reason. Fleener has been on the job at FHS since 2021 where he led the Jackrabbits to the 2023 5A Division I state semifinals. In 2025, he took Forney to a 10-3 mark and a 6A-Division II regional semifinal appearance. Fleener also had a wildly successful stint as Allen’s offensive coordinator where he was part of four state championship teams. He has a record of 73-53 in 11 seasons as a head coach at Forney, Mesquite and in his hometown of San Antonio at San Antonio Brandeis. There’s the rub — could a return to his hometown be a possibility if Alamo Heights comes calling? One other interesting note is Fleener in high school was coached by Rittimann when he was an assistant at San Antonio Madison. 

Jake Griedl, HC Bastrop: Griedl’s stock is through the roof right now after turning a struggling Bastrop program into a power in the Austin area. After going 2-8 in his first season in 2022, Griedl’s squad has improved to 5-5 in 2023, 9-3 in 2024 and 11-2 last year. Coach Griedl also spent three seasons as the head coach at Marshall in East Texas from 2019-2021. He has an overall record as a head coach of 47-31. Griedl also spent time on staff at Lake Travis. His fast-paced offense wouldn’t be much of a departure from the scheme Alamo Heights currently runs and his experience dealing with programs that have high expectations would serve him well leading the Mules.  

Clint Hartman, HC Midland Lee: Another San Antonio native could be interested in coming home if Alamo Heights can lure one of West Texas’ most successful head coaches. Hartman has had Midland Lee (Legacy) in the hunt in the Little SWC. In his nine years leading the Rebels, he’s led them to the regional semifinals three times and he’s posted four seasons of 10 wins or more. Hartman also was head coach at Clear Springs and at his alma mater San Antonio East Central. Hartman has a career record of 136-75 in 18 seasons as a head coach.