(Seguin) — For Gary Gutierrez, this week’s appointment as Seguin ISD’s new athletic director and head football coach was more than a career move. It was a homecoming.
The Seguin ISD Board of Trustees officially approved Gutierrez’s hiring during a special meeting Tuesday, ending months of anticipation about who would lead the Matador football program. The move comes after former AD and Head Football Coach Craig Dailey announced that he would be transitioning into a different role within the district.
Before building what district officials say has been a successful coaching career across Texas, Guiterrez served as the offensive coordinator at Seguin High School from 2003 to 2006.
Gutierrez shared with the Seguin Daily News about what returning to Seguin means to him and his family.
“This is a dream come true. This is one of the places that foundationally grew me as a coach, and I learned how to be a coach and a teacher here. And so, this is a special place. It’s been a special place for me. This is a place where I met my wife here, not in Seguin ISD, but, you know, we started dating here. We’re married. It’s full circle. So, this is just a special time and I’m looking forward to rejoining the community,” said Gutierrez.
The veteran coach returns after 13 years at John Jay High School in San Antonio, where he guided the Mustangs to a district championship and a 9-2 record during the 2025 season. Along the way, he earned recognition as the 2025 District 14-5A Coach of the Year and was named a finalist for Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 6A Coach of the Year in 2023.
He will also serve as a head coach for the 2027 San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game.
Yet on Tuesday, Gutierrez made it clear that wins and championships are only part of what excites him about returning to Matador Nation.
Gutierrez says his priority is building relationships.
“I think the number one thing is I want everybody here to know that I want to be here. I’m excited to work with the Matadors and the Matador community. And the other thing is bringing my son to a community here to learn —Matador traditions is extremely awesome to me. And so I want everybody here to know that I’m going to love them, trust them, and I want to earn their trust and know that we’re going to do things the right way. And as we do that, we’ll grow as a team, as a community and build Matador Pride,” said Gutierrez.
Football has long been a family affair for the Gutierrez household. His oldest son is currently a quarterback at the Naval Academy, while his daughter works with the football program at the University of the Incarnate Word. Now, his youngest son, Miles, a junior, will also become part of the Matador program as the two walk into this brand-new chapter. His wife Patricia is also said to have been a coach and currently works for Northside ISD.
In fact, the transition will happen immediately. Gutierrez Tuesday night joked that while he starts his new job, his son will also be getting started right alongside him – Wednesday morning.
“He will have his first day at Camp Matador, summer strength and conditioning camp tomorrow morning. So, I’m looking forward to getting him into some Matador gear and getting him acclimated and assimilated into the Matador program and the kids and the community. And so just super excited for him because I fondly have memories of Matador Stadium and games and the community and the support systems. And so I’m looking forward to him getting to experience that,” said Gutierrez.
In recommending him to the board, Seguin ISD Superintendent Dr. Jack Lee shared how excited he was to see Coach Gutierrez in action as he works to “build strong programs, support coaches, and develop the student-athletes who will represent our district both on and off the field.”
Gutierrez has 26 years of experience in education and coaching, having also worked in several other districts including Levelland ISD, Houston ISD, Aldine ISD, and Calhoun County ISD.