One of the top jobs in South Texas opened up on Tuesday after Justen Evans departed Corpus Christi Miller to take over as head coach at Denton Braswell.

Who are the candidates we’d call if we were the Corpus Christi ISD Athletic Director?

Candidates listed in alphabetical order

Toby Foreman, HFC Killeen Shoemaker: A darkhorse candidate from Central Texas with plenty of head coaching experience as Foreman holds a career 70-67 record with head coaching stops at Beaumont Central and Shoemaker. Foreman has ties to some real TXHSFB legends in Dan Hooks and Cornell Thompson at West Orange-Stark and he coached on staff at Texarkana Texas High under Barry Norton.

Ruben Garcia, HFC Kingsville: A local candidate with direct ties to Miller, Garcia has turned Kingsville around in his three seasons at the helm posting an 18-14 record. Considering the Brahmas had won five games in the previous four seasons combined before his arrival, 18-14 is impressive stuff. Garcia spent 2019 as Miller’s offensive coordinator under Evans when the Bucs posted a 12-1 mark, their first unbeaten season in school history.

Eric John, DC Corpus Christi Miller: If CCISD determines promoting from within is the play, considering Miller’s success over the past seven seasons, the candidate here is long-time defensive coordinator Eric John. There’s no doubt John will be named the interim head coach during the transitional period and his familiarity with the kids and the Northside community at Miller will be key if he is to get the promotion.

David McHugh, HFC Bishop: Another local candidate who will generate buzz is Bishop HFC David McHugh. 2025 was his first season as a head coach and he led the Badgers to a 5-6 record and a playoff appearance. McHugh also directed some of the state’s most explosive offensive units during his time as Ingleside offensive coordinator. He doesn’t have direct ties to Miller, but his brother, now SMU assistant coach Matt McHugh, did serve as Miller’s offensive coordinator for two seasons before coming to the DFW area to work at Crowley High.

Thavis Miller, HFC Clarksville: Another darkhorse candidate from outside the area is Clarksville head coach Thavis Miller. Miller, a native of Georgia, first got into TXHSFB coaching in the Lubbock area before joining the staff at 3A Commerce in Northeast Texas. Miller took over long-struggling Clarksville and in two seasons has posted a 12-10 record and led the Tigers to back-to-back playoff appearances. Miller’s lack of ties to the area may be a concern, but he’s done a lot with less at Clarksville the past two years.