Roma ISD calls meeting to possibly rescind reassignment

ROMA — Max Habecker Jr. might coach the Roma Gladiators next season after all.

The Roma ISD school board has called a meeting for 6 p.m. Monday to possibly rescind the reassignment of Habecker. At the first board meeting Dec. 7, the vote was 5-1 in favor of reassigning Habecker, with one board member absent. The lone dissenting vote was cast by board member Dr. Raymond Mussett, who along with another unidentified board member, called Monday’s meeting to possibly undo the action taken last week.

After the decision was made, Habecker said he could not comment on the circumstances of his reassignment on the counsel of his attorneys. On Saturday, Habecker reiterated that stance.

In three seasons with the Gladiators, Habecker went 6-24 and didn’t reach the playoffs. In 2009, Habecker led the Gladiators to four wins, a total that included a 3-0 start in non-district play and a district win over Valley View. And if not for a three-overtime loss to La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, the Gladiators would have won four of their first five games.

Because of the progress the Gladiators showed this season, the board’s decision to reassign Habecker came as a surprise to some. The decision’s unpopularity in certain circles, as some parents of players and fans alike want Habecker back, may be contributing to the board calling Monday’s meeting.

“I’m really thankful to our parents that have supported us through this tough time,” Habecker said. “The kids have done an excellent job of representing our school and our town as a whole and our program and what we’ve tried to instill in them.”

Habecker, who graduated from Roma and played for the Gladiators, is hopeful that Monday’s board meeting will lead to his return next season.

“I take pride in my job and working with the kids and really trying to build young men,” Habecker said. “Trying to teach them to be successful, functioning men that give back to our community and somehow make an impact, in some way or another, in the future.”

Brian Sandalow covers District 32-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.