Breckenridge Hires Fambrough

[BreckTxLonghorn]

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.


http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/...ckenridge-job/

[TinyTim]

Originally posted by BreckTxLonghorn
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.

What is he thinking??????
http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/...ckenridge-job/

[TinyTim]

Originally posted by TinyTim

Wonder where he'll go next year?

[kaorder1999]

maybe im missing it but what was the board vote on his hiring?

[Phil C]

Originally posted by TinyTim
Wonder where he'll go next year?

[nobogey72]

So....... how is this hire sitting with the community? Seems like everyone wanted them to hire Funderburg. But this guy sounds like a good one.

[ronwx5x]

Breck, does this hire smooth any ruffled feathers?
Sounds like you folks needed a calm and decisive coach and you got one.

[TinyTim]

Originally posted by kaorder1999
maybe im missing it but what was the board vote on his hiring?

Great point KA. That is why I said that the AD will be next.

[RedWhiteBlue]

He may be okay if what I have heard about how rough Seymour can be on their coaches. He may be used to being hammered on quite a bit and Breck may be his "dream job" after all as he said. Maybe he can build them up and turn things around for the boys and Bucks.

[RedWhiteBlue]

I still think the whole HC not have the AD duties is an issue for him though. IMO

[BreckTxLonghorn]

KA--Vote was not given. I would expect 7-0 or 6-1, just because the 4 against would probably be for and the others probably knew they had no chance and voted for the guy. He should be good and seems to have a great philosophy.


Tiny Tim/ Phil--Show some compassion!

[TinyTim]

Originally posted by RedWhiteBlue
He may be okay if what I have heard about how rough Seymour can be on their coaches. He may be used to being hammered on quite a bit and Breck may be his "dream job" after all as he said. Maybe he can build them up and turn things around for the boys and Bucks.

Heck ya and maybe they can even make the playoffs in football this next year. Or possibly even win the district next year. Sounds like a great story in the making. Especially with only 20 or 30 players.

[TinyTim]

Originally posted by BreckTxLonghorn
KA--Vote was not given. I would expect 7-0 or 6-1, just because the 4 against would probably be for and the others probably knew they had no chance and voted for the guy. He should be good and seems to have a great philosophy.


Tiny Tim/ Phil--Show some compassion!

Sorry!!

[kaorder1999]

Originally posted by TinyTim
Sorry!!

my first thought was if it was unanimous or 6-1 then they would have mentioned it.

[BreckTxLonghorn]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
Breck, does this hire smooth any ruffled feathers?
Sounds like you folks needed a calm and decisive coach and you got one.

I think it does help the situation some. We got a great coach, and people realize that and will appreciate it. I don't think anyone will be against him.

If anything, there will be backlash against the school board. Expect either 1) clean house on the next election or 2) recall votes if the town is that mad. The fact that they would not give a reason does not help their cause at all, and two of the original 4 were very recently sworn in.

I don't see the AD going anywhere. He's a respected man in the community, very smart, and historically people have trusted his word because he's in tune with the environment in town. Losing him would hurt the program.

Not having an AD/HC combo is good for the town. Trust me on this--we can go round and round all day on reasons why or why not, so I won't even argue. However, from my experiences, it helps the town with balance of power in sports. I can definitely understand a coach having hesitations by not getting that with the job, but he knew what the position was when he accepted.


Good luck to Coach Fambrough. It will be a rough first couple of years, but the town WILL support you through this.