There's big news out of East Texas with the Center ISD announcement that state championship head coach Jack Alvarez is taking over as the new HC/AD at Center High School.

Alvarez is Center’s third head coach in the past three seasons as he replaces Nick Brown, who stepped down after one season and a 5-6 overall record.

Alvarez, who led Ennis to the 2014 5A-Division II state championship, has a proven track record of winning with a career record of 205-104 in 26 seasons as a head coach with stops at West Sabine, Kirbyville, Ennis, Copperas Cove, Cuero and Marshall.

Aside from the state title run in 2014, Alvarez led Kirbyville to the state championship game in 2008 and 2009. He guided Ennis to a state semifinal appearance in 2013 and Cuero to the state semifinals in 2021.

Alvarez officially came out of retirement before last football season where he was an assistant coach on staff at Garrison under his son Brandon Alvarez.

“You work your whole life to retire, go hunting and fishing and do some travelling and we did all that, but I knew after a couple of weeks there was a void," he said. "That void was I missed coaching, being in the fieldhouse, being around kids and coaches. I missed the good decisions and bad decisions. Hell, I missed the smell of the fieldhouse and it was so good being back coaching last year."

“Center is an awesome location," Alvarez said. "I live nearby and I guess the third time is a charm. I’ve applied for this job two other times. It’s just a good fit and there’s lots of potential here.

"I’m starting right away at Center, boots already on the ground I’m in the gym watching basketball practice as we speak,” he said. “I’m ready to get in and evaluate the off-season and get going.”

Additionally, Alvarez is bringing his son over to Center as the Roughriders assistant athletic director/head football coach, which creates a job opening at Garrison. In six seasons leading Garrison, Brandon Alvarez posted a 47-24 record, including leading the Bulldogs to a 12-2 mark in 2023 where led Garrison to a regional final appearance.