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Elgin Independent School District didn’t have to go very far to find the high school’s next head football coach.
Elgin High School has named offensive coordinator Rich Lucero as its new head football coach, promoting him from within after the departure of former head coach Heath Clawson.
Lucero, who has served as Elgin’s offensive coordinator since the 2021–22 school year, officially took the reins May 19. He replaces Clawson, who left earlier this month to become the head coach at Class 3A Woodville.
“I’m really proud of these kids and what they did last year,” Lucero said. “It was a great season and I’m very humbled to have this opportunity.”
The Wildcats finished the 2024 season 6-6 and won their first playoff game since 2014. Under Lucero’s leadership, the offense averaged 38 points per game.
Lucero said he never expected to lead the program when he joined Elgin ISD.
“I came here to be the offensive coordinator and to do something that hadn’t been done in 10 years—win a playoff game,” he said. “That was the vision, and we gave that vision to the players. We told them that if they would trust in us, be unselfish, work hard every day and be their best, we would be successful.”
No coaches are leaving Elgin to join Clawson in Woodville, Lucero said, a factor he hopes will provide stability as the team rebuilds following the graduation of a strong senior class.
“We’re young and inexperienced,” he said. “We may not experience that second or third round playoff victory right now, but our goal is still to make the playoffs and win a playoff game—but the reality is we’re going to be a totally different team. There are challenges to be met.”
Lucero emphasized the need for community and parental support, particularly with summer strength and conditioning attendance.
“What we need more than anything else is commitment,” he said. “We need to do the work, the talent is coming. We have a talented middle school program.”
A native of Bangs, west of Brownwood, Lucero said Elgin’s small-town atmosphere reminds him of home.
“There’s something about being from a small town that resonates with me,” he said. “We embrace the ‘one town, one team, one family’ mantra. The biggest advantage of having one high school is we’re able to build community. We’re also able to interact with all of our youth programs. It feels like old Friday night lights.”
Lucero, a Texas Tech graduate, said he enjoys the underdog role and aims to foster leadership among his players.
“We’re going to be under the radar. A lot of people anticipate us taking a step back, but we’d rather be under the radar,” he added. “We want to lead in the school building and change the culture in the high school. If you have good leadership, it will sustain you and you can ultimately achieve success.”
