Converse Judson head coach Mark Soto announced on social media Wednesday he was stepping down as the Rockets head coach, opening up the head coaching jobs at one of the state’s most proud and tradition-rich programs.

“I’m not sure yet what’s next," Soto said. "I plan to finish out my contract and then evaluate what opportunities might be out there for an old ball coach. If the right fit comes along, I’d consider continuing to coach, but if not I’ll retire."

Soto, a Judson alum led the Rockets for four seasons and posted a 17-27 overall record. He led Judson to the area round of the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. Prior to landing his first head coaching job, Soto was a long-time assistant coach at his alma mater.

“This was a mutual decision between the district administration and my family," Soto said. "Judson ISD has been nothing but accommodating and respectful throughout this process. Judson will always be family to me and I gave everything I had to bring us back to the top.”

Coach Soto has a career mark of 71-80 in 14 years as a head coach. He led San Marcos from 2012-2019 and led the Rattlers to the area playoffs in 2015 and 2017 when his team posted a 10-2 record. Soto also spent 2020 and 2021 at San Antonio Johnson where led the Jags to a 19-3 record in those two years.

The Judson program has, by its standards, fallen on hard-times in recent years as district growth and changing growth patterns in the San Antonio area have reduced Judson’s prominence on the local football scene. Despite the recent struggles, don’t be surprised if Judson ISD gets interest statewide from quality candidates as this is a program that could use a bit of a jolt as the Rockets head into a new district in February’s UIL Realignment.