[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or the first time in program history, the Lehman High girls soccer team will be searching for a new head coach.
On Friday, longtime Lobo head girls soccer coach Nauri Garcia announced his resignation as the team’s leader. Garcia confirmed to the Hays Free Press he would remain as a PE instructor at Hemphill Elementary.
Garcia had served as the Lehman girls soccer head coach ever since the school first opened its doors in 2004.
Garcia made the announcement of his resignation on his Facebook page, saying the position of head soccer coach was a “dream come true.”
“I have met and worked with some amazing people that will remain in my heart,” Garcia said.
During his tenure, the Lady Lobos soccer team won 123 games and reached the playoffs seven times. The program also notched two bidistrict playoff championships, and had 13 athletes sign to continue their playing careers in college.
Last season, the Lady Lobos struggled to a 2-12-3 mark.
Garcia said on his Facebook page he loved the lessons “the sport of soccer continues to teach me.”
“If you are lucky enough to continue to play a sport, embrace it ... Doors that close will always lead to something new.” Nauri Garcia, former Lady Lobo head soccer coach
Parents, colleagues, both current and former, and soccer athletes took to Garica’s Facebook post to show their appreciation.
James Halatin, Lehman High head girls basketball coach, wrote Lehman is “losing a great one.” Michael Banning, Lehman High assistant football and girls soccer coach, thanked Garcia for being a “great friend and mentor.”
“I will miss you more than you know,” Banning wrote.
Kathryn Legh-Page, Lehman’s head volleyball coach, wished Garcia “all the luck in the world.”
“You have done many great things at Lehman and have inspired so many young athletes,” Legh-Page wrote.
Josh Young and Andi Green, both former athletic trainers at Lehman High, lauded Garcia’s passion for coaching and the mark he left on the program.
“It was a pleasure working with you for 10 of those years and I feel like it’s an end of an era,” Young said.
Joshua Kirkland, Lehman High athletic coordinator, said he has talked with Denisha Presley, Lehman High principal, and Betsy Russel, director of student programs, regarding the process to fill Garcia’s spot.
It’s unknown if the position will be filled on an interim or permanent basis at this time, Kirkland said.
“We hate to see (Garcia) go. He’s been very successful in the program and what he’s done to get it started,” Kirkland said. “We hope the next person can keep it going forward.”
Brent Holcomb, Hays High head girls soccer coach, who faced Garcia numerous times over the years, said he has the “deepest respect” for Garcia both personally and as a friend and colleague.
“As one of the most successful coaches in Lehman history, he has led his team to the playoffs almost every year,” Holcomb said. “He is an outstanding leader who values the growth and development of his players, not only as athletes, but as young adults as well.”
Following Garcia’s departure, only Orlando de La Fuente, Lehman High head tennis coach, remains as a head coach who was originally hired when Lehman High first opened.
