Hays football coach Les Goad retires after 39-year career

After a long and distinguished career, Hays head football coach Les Goad has decided to retire.

Goad, who has been with the Hawks for six years, thanked the "Hays community" for supporting him during his tenure with the school. He has either been a player or a coach since he was in the sixth grade in Carlsbad, N.M. He played football at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Goad, 61, finished his career with a record of 205-107-3 during his 28 years as a head coach. That included a 127-28 record during 11 seasons at Geronimo Navarro and 39-27 during his six years at Hays.

"I know there are probably bets on how long I'll be retired and one of those is likely my wife (Lisa)," Goad joked.

Goad joked the he knew in the 10th grade at Carlsbad High School that he would be a football coach. He had a passion for sports and he looked up to his head coach, Dave Perini.

There are so many memories to cherish but Goad pinpoints one that might surprise some people. In 1986, just his second year as a coach, he coached a JV team in Slaton, Texas. The team had won a total of one game the previous three years, but earned a 7-3 record when Goad took over.

Goad, who will stay at Hays until his contract runs out in June, was asked what he will miss most about coaching.

"It's going to be 100% on those Friday nights," he said. "First and foremost, it's the competition. That's what coaches are most passionate about. Talking to coaches who have retired before me, they say they don't have the competition to look forward to. I miss everyone already and I'm not even gone yet."

Six years ago, Goad replaced Neal LaHue as head coach at Hays.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Hays went to playoffs three times under Les Goad's leadership