Faircloth named new Sulphur Springs HC/AD

Brandon Faircloth is a proven winner Texas High School football and is eager to bring his blueprint for success to Sulphur Springs.

Faircloth, 44, was named the new head football coach and athletic director for the Wildcats at Monday’s special school board meeting.

Faircloth took the job after posting a 102-51 record as head coach of Port Neches-Groves. Under Faircloth the team made the playoffs 12 of 13 years, including nine consecutive seasons.

“I have the blueprint for success. It is hard-work, dedication and building relationships,” Faircloth said.

He spoke to the media after being approved for the position vacated by the retirement of longtime head coach Greg

Owens.

The job posting drew applications from around the state, Superintendent Michael Lamb said Faircloth was closen from a talented field because of his winning record, positive attitude.

“We spent weeks interviewing, we narrowed it down to four and Faircloth just stood out all the way,” Lamb said. “He’s going to be incredible for us. He comes with a winning record and a winning attitude and a great family. We can’t wait for him to get it rolling for us. He’s been at some great places and coached with some great people. It’s been exciting to get to know him. He’ll bring a lot of positivity to our program.”

Faircloth, a native of Brownwood, went to Sam Houston State University on a baseball scholarship, he played wide receiver and defensive back in high school.

He’s coached at some of the most successful program in Texas. He started at Austin Westlake, then went to Highland Park, Odessa Permian and then to PN-G.

He know his program will feature a wide open spread, two-back formation with an even defense.

“I just got here, I haven’t met any players yet, but I look forward to it,” Faircloth said. “We want the players to have high expectations not just in athletics, but academics as well and be good citizens in the community. Sulphur Springs is known for having hard-working kids and I will give them a chance to be successful. We are very excited to be here.”

Faircloth was accompanied at the meeting with his wife, Emily; son, Cooper, a 17-year-old junior and daughter, Rowan, a 15-year-old freshman.

“I did a lot of research on Sulphur Springs,” Faircloth said. “Not just the athletic program, but the town. It’s a great place, a wonderful community we can’t wait to be a part of in the future. We want to be a big part of the community. I think it’s very special. Everyone I talked to said that same thing, that is was a great place to live and coach.”

When asked if he’ll face pressure to win, coming off his successful run at Pn-G and the reputation of Sulphur Springs.

“I always feel pressure and I like it. I don’t think I’d want to be at a place where you did not have pressure to be your best,” Faircloth said. “I just focus on one day at a time. We have a sign ‘Fourth and 1.’ Fourth and 1 is big in football and that’s how we approach each day, to get better.”

Faircloth added, “I’d very humbled for the this opportunity. I’d like to that Mr. Lamb and the school board for selecting me. I am very excited to be here, I feel very blessed. This is a family move for us and we all chose Sulphur Springs.”

No members of the public requested to address the board.

Superintendent Michael Lamb recognized the board members for their hard-work and dedications for “School Board Appreciation Month”. Each campus sent gifts and tokens of thanks to the board members.

Action items included approval of wage payments during Emergency School Closing, updates to local district DEC policy and the proposed termination of term contract Amy Anderson before the end of contract period.

Four members of staff resigned, Eddie Flores, Adrian Pruitt, Travis Willoughby and Jenifer Maldonado.

Two new personnel were hired, Brandon Faircloth and Kwasia Timmons.

The board also approved extending the Superintendent’s contract for an additional year.