Refugio ISD announced it will have a new head football coach in 2026 as head coach Drew Cox announced his retirement on Tuesday.

The news was first reported by Mike Forman, formerly of the Victoria Advocate. Defensive coordinator Eli Boxell was immediately named as Cox’s successor and will lead the Bobcats in 2026.

Cox led Refugio for two seasons where he posted a 24-3 overall record. He led the Bobcats to a 2A-Divison I state semifinal appearance in 2025.

This will be Refugio’s third difference head coach since 2023, which is interesting considering the overall stability Refugio had during Jason Herring’s 17 years at the helm when he led the Bobcats to three state championships and four other state title game appearances. Herring remains with the district as its athletic director.

Boxell, who has been on staff at Refugio since 2001 and served as head boys basketball coach from 2010-2025, is no stranger to the Refugio program and what it takes to win.

“I’m very excited," he said. "It’s an honor and privilege to lead this football program. Coach Herring and Coach Cox have laid the foundation, all the nuts and bolts are here my job is to keep this program moving forward. The success in the fall still starts with the work we put in during January."

It could be a bit of a transition year for Refugio in 2026 as the Bobcats lost a strong senior class. A lot of new faces will have to grow up in a hurry.

Region IV looks to be stout in 2026. Powerful Ganado, which won the state title in 2024, expects to return a very strong squad and powerful Shiner will be moving back into 2A-Division I this year after spending the last two seasons at the 2A-Division II level.