Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Aransas Pass coach Davenport resigns

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Saturday, January 20, 2001

Aransas Pass coach Davenport resigns
Resignation will become effective once school district names a successor
By George Vondracek
Caller-Times

Caller-Times File

Aransas Pass coach Gary Davenport has announced his resignation from his position as athletic director and head football coach.

Gary Davenport, who led Aransas Pass High School to success on the football field that it hadn't experienced in decades, has resigned as the Panthers' athletics director and football coach.
   The resignation, submitted Thursday, is effective when AP names Davenport's successor. Until then, the 53-year-old Davenport will continue to serve as AD and supervise the offseason football program.
   Davenport, who took two Panthers teams to the playoffs in seven seasons, said he has no job offers and has not interviewed for another position. Davenport said he and his family like Aransas Pass, and that he wouldn't rule out staying at the school as a teacher. He also said he has not ruled out seeking another coaching position.
   "About the only thing you can say is it's the end of my coaching career at Aransas Pass," Davenport said Friday. "Basically, I'm just open to whatever happens.
   "Most people will think I'm stupid for resigning without a job in hand," he said. "But my main feeling is at this point, it's the right thing to do for myself and kids at Aransas Pass."
   David Borrer, six months into his term as the Aransas Pass Independent School District superintendent, said the district will begin advertising for a replacement today. Applications will be taken for approximately three weeks and then Carl Montoya, the district's personnel director, will form a screening committee to review the applicants.
Gary Davenport's coaching record

Year school Record

1989 Sinton 4-6

a-1990 Sinton 13-1-1

b-1991 Sinton 12-1-1

c-1992 Carroll 5-6-1

d-1993 Carroll 6-5

1994 AransasPass 5-5

1995 AransasPass 6-4

1996 AransasPass 5-5

1997 AransasPass 7-3

e-1998 AransasPass 12-3

f-1999 AransasPass 11-2

2000 AransasPass 3-7

Totals 12 years 89-48-2(.647)
a-29-3A champs (5-0); lost in semifinals to Crockett, 15-14; b-29-3A champs (5-0), lost in regional final to Edna, 21-6; c-second in 30-5A (5-2), lost in Division I area to McAllen, 32-14; d-third in 30-5A (5-2), lost in Division I bi-district to Eagle Pass, 26-7; e-second in 30-3A (4-1), lost in Division II semifinals to Newton, 29-15; f-second in 30-3A (4-1), lost in regional semifinals to Sealy, 28-0.

   "This'll be a tough one because Gary's been such a big factor with the pride he's brought in and the success he's had," Borrer said. "Our goal is to keep it (the program) as successful as it's been because Gary's left it in good shape."
   Davenport compiled a 49-29 record at AP in seven seasons, the longest tenure of his three head-coaching stops. Prior to the 1998 season, the Panthers hadn't won a postseason game since 1938.
   "I don't have a job offer, haven't talked to anybody or interviewed with anybody," Davenport said. "I've been there seven years, the longest I've ever stayed in my coaching career in 30 years. I think we've done some good things there, and they're doing the right things. I really think it's time the kids hear a different voice."
   A three-time All-South Texas Coach of the Year by the Caller-Times at AP (1999) and Sinton (1990-91), Davenport compiled an 89-42-2 record in 12 seasons as a head coach. Twice he led teams to the Class 3A semifinals, 1990 with Sinton and 1998 with the Panthers. Both of his teams at Carroll in 1992-93 reached the 5A Division I playoffs.
   "As I think about the things that stand out in my mind, and I coached for 15 years so I know where he's coming from, he brought a sense of pride back to the program," Borrer said. "Six, seven years ago, we went through a lull. He brought back such a sense of pride to the community."
   Davenport served as an assistant at seven other schools before succeeding Steve Patz in Sinton in 1989. Davenport's previous stops as an assistant were at Alice, Sugar Land Clements, Klein Forest, Athens, Colorado City, Smithson Valley and Haskell.



Staff writer George Vondracek can be reached at 886-3731 or by e-mail at vondracekg@caller.com

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