Football: Fort Stockton hires new head coach

Selling insurance wasn't cutting it for Rex Whitfield.

He wanted to return to coaching football.

He will, and will do so in his hometown as the new head football coach-athletic director.

After being recommended by Fort Stockton ISD interim superintendent Ralph Traynham, the school board Monday unanimously voted to hire Whitfield to replace Tom Howard.

Whitfield, a 1974 Fort Stockton graduate, last coached at Lubbock Estacado from 2004-2007 as the defensive coordinator. He was receivers and secondary coach at Colorado City from 2003-2004 and offensive coordinator at Slaton from 2000-2003.

His longest stop was as Sweetwater's offensive coordinator from 1988 to 2000.

"I'm excited," Whitfield said. "I hope the kids are. I hope it works out for everyone."

Whitfield, according to school board president Ken Ripley, was one of five interviewed for the position, which opened May 19 when Howard left for an administration post at Granbury.

The budgeted salary is $79,000, though 12 percent of an early retirement penalty from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas will be subtracted until the end of the year, Ripley said.

Howard was coach at the Class 3A school for a little more than four years. He compiled a 26-17 record and won district titles the last two years.

The Panthers have never won a playoff game.