Fambrough leaving Seymour, takes Breckenridge job
By Zach Duncan
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
David Fambrough accomplished a great deal in his first year at Seymour, guiding the Panthers to the Class A football title game for the only time in school history.
But if the Panthers provide an encore performance next year, it won’t be with the same head coach.
Fambrough was approved Monday night to become the next head football coach at Breckenridge, a tradition-rich program that has seen plenty of instability lately.
“It’s always been a dream job of mine,” Fambrough said. “I have family from Breckenridge. My grandparents lived here, and it’s a great opportunity.”
Not only did Seymour qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1999 under Fambrough, but with a senior-laced squad the Panthers (10-4) advanced to the Division I championship, losing to Alto. He was named the Times Record News Small School Red River 22 Co-Coach of the Year.
“It was a magical season,” Fambrough said. “Seymour has great kids and a great administration. This wasn’t an easy decision. It was extremely difficult.”
Fambrough said he didn’t even apply for the Breckenridge job. He first received a phone call from school officials last Tuesday gauging his interest.
“They called and called and came up with an offer I couldn’t say no to,” Fambrough said.
Fambrough wasn’t the first candidate tabbed by the Breckenridge administration, either.
Donny Funderburg, a former Buckaroos offensive coordinator and alum, was recommended for the job at a school board meeting last Tuesday. However, the board of trustees voted 4-3 against Funderburg’s hiring.
Fambrough is the third head coach in as many seasons for Breckenridge, which has won six state football championships, but none since 1959. The Buckaroos haven’t made the playoffs the past two seasons.
Jeff Berry, who resigned almost a month ago, went 3-7 in his only year of duty. Stan Howard was 14-8 in the two seasons before that.
“It’s a place that needs healing and stability,” Fambrough said. “I told them I wanted to be here for a while. It is a tough situation, but so was Seymour.”
After coaching in arguably the toughest Class A district last season, Fambrough will be making the jump to a daunting Class 3A district.
Breckenridge’s District 2-3A opponents are Abilene Wylie, Brownwood, Graham, Snyder and Sweetwater. Those six programs have won 15 state titles between them.
The 2007 season was Fambrough’s first as a head coach. Prior to that, he had spent the past eight seasons as the offensive coordinator at Pflugerville Connally.
Staff sports writer Zach Duncan can be reached weekdays after 4 p.m. by calling 720-3470 or 1-800-627-1646. Or e-mail him at duncanz(at)timesrecordnews.com.
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