The first high-profile job in the Alamo City is open after Mark Soto announced he was stepping down at Converse Judson.

Who are some candidates we’d call if we were the Judson ISD Athletic Director?

Candidates listed in alphabetical order

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Clint Finley, Sealy Head Coach: The Finley name is as good as gold in South Texas considering the run Mickey Finley had as head coach in Cuero. Part of that legacy in that part of the state is Clint Finley, who was a legend for the Gobblers. Now a head coach in Texas after his NFL career ended, Finley’s worked wonders in Sealy where he’s posted a 26-12 record in three seasons, including a run to the 4A-Division II regional finals in 2024. Finley has a 10-year career record as a head coach of 74-42.

Gary Gutierrez, San Antonio Jay Head Coach: Gutierrez is an institution on the westside of San Antonio. He’s been at Jay the past 13 years and the past three seasons have been the best stretch of football in Jay school history. The Mustangs posted a 10-3 mark in 2023 and advanced to the 6A Division II regional semifinals. They've posted back-to-back 9-2 records the past two seasons after dropping to 5A. 

Clint Hartman, Midland Legacy Head Coach: Hartman, a San Antonio native, has a 136-75 record over 18 years as a head coach. He’s spent the past nine seasons as the head coach at Midland Lee/Midland Legacy where he’s posted four seasons of double digit wins with three trips to the regional semifinals (2017, 2019, 2023). If Hartman has a desire to return to his hometown, Judson may fit the bill.

Vernon Hughes, Mesquite Horn Head Coach: Hughes made his name in the Austin area as an assistant coach and also as the head coach at Pflugerville Weiss for two seasons where he posted a 17-5 record. Hughes took the leap to go to Mesquite Horn in 2025 where he took over a full-on rebuild and had the Jaguars more competitive than most anticipated. If he wants to back closer to home, Judson may be a good fit.

Mike Jinks, Retired: If there’s one TXHSFB job that could lure Jinks out of retirement it may be Converse Judson. Jinks is a Judson alum where he played quarterback for DW Rutledge. He is best known to most for his time in college where he was head coach at Bowling Green, but also spent time at Texas Tech, Houston and USC as an assistant coach. However, Jinks is also an accomplished high school coach with a 78-26 overall record in eight seasons. Jinks opened Cibolo Steele in 2005 and led the Knights from 2006-2012, building Steele into a state powerhouse winning a state title in 2010 and leading the Knights to the state title game in 2011. Jinks’ last high school job was as an assistant coach at Richmond Randle in 2024 where he was part of the Lions 5A-Division II state championship staff.