RIO GRANDE CITY — Rio Grande City head football coach and athletic coordinator Leo Mireles has been approved to take over the same position at Laredo LBJ beginning Friday.
The Monitor first reported Thursday that Mireles was expected to be named the next head football coach and athletic coordinator at Laredo LBJ pending United ISD school board approval, which was given early Wednesday evening making his coaching transition official.
“Coach Mireles was recommended by Johnson principal Mr. Armando Salazar after interviewing 18 candidates from our region and the state,” United ISD athletic director Bobby Cruz Jr. said in a written statement.
“Coach Mireles will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Wolves. Although he is not a UISD graduate, he is a UISD coaching product who has worked alongside great head coaches in David Sanchez and Joel Lopez. His experience in Rio Grande (City) in turning that program around was also impressive to our committee.”
Before taking over the Rattlers’ football program prior to the 2019 season, Mireles had gained a considerable amount of coaching experience in Laredo.
He served as the offensive coordinator at Laredo United for three seasons and as the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator for an additional three seasons. He also worked as the offensive coordinator at Laredo Alexander as part of his 13 years of coaching in Laredo.
Thank you pic.twitter.com/rmcoLS91HM
— Leo Mireles (@mireles_leo) February 10, 2021
“It’s an awesome day for me and my family,” Mireles said. “My wife and the boys are certainly thrilled that I’m back in Laredo and I’m not commuting every day. Looking forward to this new journey. I’m really excited to be part of the Wolfpack family.”
Mireles led the RGC football program for two seasons during his first head-coaching opportunity.
In his first year on the sidelines in Rio Grande City, Mireles helped the Rattlers capture a share of the District 16-5A DI title, which was the school’s first district title on the gridiron in 34 years.
Mireles tallied an 11-8 overall record during his time in Rio Grande City, narrowly missing out on a return trip to the postseason during the shortened 2020 campaign.
“(I feel) extremely blessed. It’s very difficult to sometimes get a chance in a very competitive field, let alone do it twice,” he said. “I am completely humbled and somewhat speechless to say that I now have another opportunity to impact young adults.”
The Monitor also learned Wednesday that multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity due to the fluidity of the matter, have indicated that Rio Grande City CISD is expected to name Jesus Lozano as the Rattlers’ next head football coach and athletic coordinator in the coming days.
BREAKING: Sources indicate that Jesus Lozano is expected to be named the next HFC/AC at Rio Grande City later this week
Lozano previously coached the Rattlers from 2004-08 tallying a 20-30 record with two trips to the state playoffs @dctf #RGV #RGVFootball #txhsfb
— Andrew McCulloch (@ByAndyMcCulloch) February 10, 2021
Lozano previously held that title and coached the Rattlers from 2004 to 2008. During that stint, Lozano led Rio Grande City to a 20-30 overall record and two trips to the state playoffs.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ByAndyMcCulloch
