PORT NECHES, Texas — Multiple sources have confirmed to 409Sports that Port Neches-Groves Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Brandon Faircloth will be recommended and likely approved for the same position at Sulphur Springs tonight.
Faircloth is PNG’s all-time winningest coach at (102-51). During his tenure the Indians advanced to the playoffs twelve out of thirteen seasons, including the past nine years.
The Indians entered the 2021 season picked fifth in District 21-5A by Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine, but defied the odds by advancing to the third round of the playoffs.
Sulphur Springs, which is located in northeast Texas, is coming off an (0-10) season, though they have had a winning tradition. The Wildcats defeated Dayton for the 2008 5A-Division II State Championship.
In a text exchange with Sports Director Ashly Elam, Faircloth wrote, "Very blessed 13 years! I'll miss everything about this place. God has a plan."
Faircloth came to Port Neches-Groves in 2009 after serving as an assistant at Odessa Permian. Before his time at Permian, Faircloth was an assistant coach at Highland Park and Austin Westlake.
During his tenure at PNG, he also served as the US National Football Team head coach twice.
PNGISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Gonzales released the following statement.
"I have had the honor of working with Coach Faircloth for twelve of the thirteen years he has served as Head Coach and Athletic Director. I am proud of his many accomplishments, and I am excited to see what the future holds for him at Sulphur Springs ISD. I am confident that Coach Faircloth’s dedication and commitment will lead to further success. I wish him the best of luck.
The Port Neches- Groves Independent School District plans to post the job as soon as possible and begin the search for a new head coach and athletic director."
Shortly after the statement the position of athletic director/head football coach was posted by PNGISD.
Brandon Faircloth (102-51, 13 seasons)
2009: (11-1) - District Champions, Area Finalists
2010: (8-5) - Regional Finalists
2011: (7-4) -Bi-District Finalists
2012: (2-8)
2013: (7-4) - Bi-District Finalists
2014: (7-4) - Bi-District Finalists
2015: (9-3) - District Co-Champions, Area Finalists
2016: (11-2) - District Tri-Champions, Regional Finalists
2017: (10-2) - District Co-Champions, Regional Finalists
2018: (10-3) - District Champions, Regional Finalists
2019: (7-4) - Bi-District Finalists
2020: (5-6) - Bi-District Finalists
2021: (8-5) - Regional Finalists