Alumni mourn high school coach’s unexpected death. ‘Taught me more than just sports’

CHS Athletic Booster Club/Twitter Screengrab

Former students and players of a Texas coach and teacher are mourning his unexpected death.

“It is with a heavy heart that ... we share bad news regarding one of our very own,” New Braunfels Independent School District said in a letter to parents.

Jimmy Keresztury, the head girls basketball coach at New Braunfels High School, died after a heart attack Monday, July 18, according to the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. He was attending the Texas High School Coaches Association & Coaches Education Foundation Coaching School and Convention in San Antonio when he was taken to a hospital.

Keresztury also taught sophomore world history, according to his teacher profile. He was in his 20th year of education.

McClatchy News reached out to New Braunfels school district for a statement on July 20.

‘Not just a coach or teacher’

“When I heard the news, I was frozen and speechless,” Tyler Tennell shared on Facebook. “One of my favorite Coaches who taught me more than just sports. His laugh, and jokes literally made any crappy day of school better. I rarely played a single down in my whole year of Varsity, but Coach K made riding the the pine-pony bench better. Looking back, I probably didn’t have a lot of friends in highschool, but you were one of the real ones.”

“You were not just a coach or teacher to me, but a friend to me,” Sean Dailey wrote. “So many great memories and enjoyed hooping with you Coach K!! You taught me alot about basketball and i will always remember everything!”

“RIP Coach K,” wrote Daniella Hayman. “Jimmy Keresztury you were one of the best. There was never a day we didn’t leave class with a smile. Although you weren’t smiling in this one because well, we got on your nerves 99% of the time. But it’s truly only because you always allowed us to be ourselves. Thank you for the constant words of encouragement and the countless laughs. You will be very missed.”

“Coach Keresztury was the best coach and best teacher,” Audre Garza said. “He always made us smile and giggle! Thank you for all that you have done!”

“You had such an influence on my high school years,” Riley Wilkie wrote. “Your humor and positivity got me through a lot.”

‘The greatest injustice’

Keresztury was also a husband and father, according to a GoFundMe raising funds for his family.

“He touched countless lives while teaching and coaching at Canyon and New Braunfels High Schools and that loss will surely be felt,” organizer Kelly Wagner wrote. “The greatest injustice of all is that James and Jaye won’t get to finish growing up with their dad. They are lucky for the years they had, but it wasn’t enough. It will never be enough.”

Canyon Athletic Booster Club described its alumnus and former coach as a “one of a kind.”

Cougar Nation Lost a Former Alumni & Coach Unexpectedly Yesterday. Jimmy or Coack K will be forever in our memories. Jimmy Was Definitely One of a Kind. Please Keep the Entire Keresztury Family in Your Thoughts & Prayers During This Difficult Time. pic.twitter.com/Ur9gpKdQhu
— CHS Athletic Booster Club (@CanyonHS_ABC) July 19, 2022