Lanny Wilson tabbed new Harlingen South coach

HARLINGEN — Four months later, the Harlingen High School South Hawks have a new leader.

Wayne “Lanny” Wilson was recommended by school district Superintendent Steve Flores and unanimously approved to be hired as the new athletic coordinator and head football coach at Harlingen South by the school board at its meeting on Tuesday night.

Contract and salary details weren’t disclosed.

Wilson was one of three finalists. Interim South head coach Jim Morton and Brownsville Lopez head coach Mike Ramirez were the other finalists.

Morton was recommended by Flores at a Jan. 10 meeting but voted down by 4-3.

"We are fortunate to have secured one of the best available coaches in the state of Texas,” Flores said. “His experience in leading a successful total athletic program was a major highlight.”

Wilson, 48, is currently the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Gonzales High School in Gonzales, Texas.

Gonzales went 11-1 this season and completed its first undefeated regular season in 48 years.

Wilson previously coached at Round Rock High School, where he spent 10 years, the last seven as head coach.

In seven years, Wilson tallied a career record of 41-37.

Flores noted a win against Lufkin in the second round of the 2006 state playoffs as a deciding factor in his recommendation.

“He has proven success against major opponents throughout his career,” Flores said.

Wilson brings 25 years of coaching experience and has served stints at Gregory-Portland, Goliad, Pleasanton and Three Rivers as an assistant or coordinator.

His seven years at Round Rock were his only as a head coach until now.

In a 2010 article in the Austin American-Statesman, Wilson cited job-related stress and persistent sleep problems as reasons for resigning from his Round Rock post.

On Tuesday, Wilson said “those weren’t the reasons” and wanted to focus on his future at South.

“I feel fortunate for the opportunity to come to Harlingen South,” Wilson said. “I’m excited. Expectations are high…I expect to get in the playoffs.”

Wilson said he expects to visit with the team some time in the next week. Wilson also said he’d run a multiple offense.

“We’ll run what the kids can do,” Wilson said. “We won’t focus on what they can’t do.”

Wilson said he hadn’t made any decisions concerning the offseason and spring ball.

“We’ll have to see what we’ve got and I’ll make a decision then,” Wilson said. “I’m anxious to meet with the players and we’ll go from there.”

During the public comments portion of the board meeting, South football player Jacob Villarreal represented the team and spoke on behalf of Morton.

“We think he’s the best fit for the job because he’s been there since we were freshmen,” said the junior. “He wants to see us win a championship. He wants to see us succeed.”

The Harlingen South job came open when Gilbert Leal was officially reassigned on Nov. 28.

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