EARLY – After spending his entire seven-year coaching career as an assistant at Early, Randall Case is taking a significant step to the fore as the new head football coach and athletic director, a promotion the school announced Tuesday morning on social media.

Case is filling the role vacated by Daniel Price, who took a job as offensive coordinator at Class 4A Palestine after guiding the Longhorns a 27-20 record, four consecutive postseason appearances and three bi-district titles in his four seasons as head coach.

Regarding his decision to apply for the head football coach and athletic director position, Case said, “I have been fortunate enough to be around here the last seven years, around these kids. Most of them have been around me since they were in the fifth or sixth grade, and it just felt right. With all the turnover that was going on, it felt like it would be for good for our kids to have have stability and a familiar face, somebody they trust. It was an easy decision for me because I love this place. This is where we call home and I love these kids.”

Having spent the past seven years within the Early program will be a significant advantage for Case moving forward, he stated.

“It’s going to play a huge role,” Case said. “I’m not going to have to build that trust among the kids. I’m a voice they’ve heard for a long time, most of them. We’re starting fresh, but we’re still comfortable. They’re not having to get used to a new face or a new voice or a new program. It’ll be good for our kids and put them in a comfort zone.”

As for stepping into the role of a head football coach and athletic director for the first time in his career, Case said, “It presents its challenges, a lot comes with it, but we’re up for it. I’ve run specific sports and that program itself. I’m excited for the challenge, excited for the kids, and excited for our coaches to know what direction we’re going in.”

Regarding the offensive and defensive schemes the Longhorns have run in the recent past, Case stated there will be some new wrinkles, but not wholesale changes.

“It’ll look similar,” Case said. “We will have small changes here and there, subtle changes, but you’ll see a lot of similarities to what you’ve seen in the past.”

The Longhorns, who are coming off a 6-6, bi-district championship campaign a year ago, will be competing in the revamped District 5-3A Division II the next two seasons along with Tolar, Clifton, Brady, Eastland and Dublin.

“It’s going to be a competitive district for everyone,” Case said. “We’re excited about seeing some teams we haven’t seen. A lot of these kids have never seen some of the guys or played in these places. We’ re excited for the challenge and we’re ready to kick this thing off.”

Early’s season opener is set for Friday, Aug. 30 at Bangs.