Early ISD Superintendent Dr. Joan Otten informed BrownwoodNews.com Friday afternoon that Marvin Wilson will be the head football coach and athletic director for the Early Longhorns going forward.

Wilson was recently named the interim athletic director after former head football coach and athletic director Randall Case resigned on May 23.

“We’re super excited about what Marvin brings to the program,” Otten said. “He has the support of the coaching staff, the kids and the board. His experience in coaching and management will bring positivity, excitement, and a steady hand to the program.”

For Wilson, Early will mark his first time serving as a head football coach. Prior to moving over to Early in the spring, Wilson spent the previous three years as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Brownwood.

“I’ve learned through 20 years under some great coaches and head coaches,” Wilson said. “You learn stuff that suits you. You take the good from everybody and mold your way. I’ve haven’t been the head guy before I’ve been the second in charge for a lot of years under Chuck Lipsey and Keith Woolf and those guys.”

The Longhorns are coming off a 1-9 campaign and 0-5 mark against District 5-3A Division II competition, ending a string of four straight postseason appearances.

“Our kids have been working hard since we’ve been there and I’m excited to see what the future holds,” Wilson said. “We’ve completely switched things in the weight room and we’ve had some big gains. They’re excited, they want to win. We’ve been playing some 7-on-7 and we’ve missed some people defensively, but I told them 7-on-7 is not Friday night offense and defense, just go out there and play hard and they do. They’re competing, they’re trying hard and learning fast and we have a things we haven’t touched yet. I’m excited to get to August and start throwing the rest of it at them and see where we can go.”

Wilson added there’s currently one opening remaining on the Longhorn staff, as former Brownwood assistants Bryan Clark and Ryan Jackson are the most recent additions.

Wilson’s sons, senior Ben and sophomore Caden, moved with their father to Early in the spring and have already been competing in Longhorn athletics.

“I’m excited to get to ride this ride with them,” Wilson said. “It’s going to be a fun experience.”