Cotulla ISD turned to a familiar face Wednesday night by naming Marcus Booker its next athletic director/head football coach. 

Booker, who had been retired, led Cotulla to their greatest football success in his first stint as a head coach from 2002-2008, leading the Cowboys to the Class 2A-Division I state semifinals. 

Booker, who had been retired and out of coaching, says the timing was right for him to get back into coaching high school football as he and his family have gone through some tragic circumstances. He recently lost his wife who passed away from Covid-19 complications.

“My wife was amazing," Booker said. "I’m just now getting to the point where I can talk about her without crying. She was the best person, an unreal coaches wife and I miss her dearly.  I guess this is part of God’s plan. She’s gone and I honestly need to be busy. Football helps fill this void and I’ve got that itch to get the whistle back on. I’ve always loved coaching, I’ve always loved being around kids and I love Cotulla.” 

Booker is a graduate of Converse Judson and lists legendary head coach D.W. Rutledge as one of his biggest influences.

“Aside from my dad, Coach Rutledge is the most important influence in my life," Booker said. "He’s an amazing man and an incredible coach. I’ve learned so much from him."

Coach Booker began his coaching journey at Judson before going to Cotulla for two seasons as an assistant. Then he spent some time in the Austin area coaching at Austin Crockett, Del Valle and Leander.

In 2002 he went to Cotulla for his first head coaching job where the Cowboys made the playoffs in three of his first four seasons before their magical run in 2006 when Cotulla lost to eventual state champion Tatum in the state semifinals at Waco ISD Stadium.

Coach Booker left Cotulla in 2008 and went to Corpus Christi Carroll as the defensive coordinator and then he spent time as an assistant at San Antonio Roosevelt. He returned to head coaching in 2012 where he spent three years as head coach at South San Antonio.

The new head coach at Cotulla says he’s ready to hit the ground running as his first day at Cotulla will be Monday.

“After things didn’t work out at South San I really was burned out and lost my energy to coach," he said. "I was just happy hanging out with my wife and grandkids. But I’m so excited to get this opportunity. Cotulla has always accepted me and treated me well, the kids work hard and the community is just fantastic."