CONVERSE, Texas – Mark Soto announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down as the head football coach at Judson High School, ending a four-season tenure at his alma mater. Soto, a 1991 graduate of the school, shared the decision via social media, citing a desire to step away after more than three decades in the sport.
“After 31 years of coaching and 13 years of playing, this game became my identity,” Soto wrote in his statement. “I’m deeply grateful to my family—my mother, sister, brother, my amazing wife, and my kids. I’m equally grateful for the fellow coaches, friends and teammates who pushed me forward and helped me live a dream bigger than I ever imagined.”
Soto’s departure comes after a challenging stint leading one of Texas’ most storied high school football programs. Hired in late 2021 with hopes of restoring the Rockets to their former glory, Soto compiled a 17-28 overall record. While the team made the playoffs in three of his four seasons, they were unable to secure the deep postseason runs that defined the program for decades.
The expectations at Judson are historically high. The Rockets boast six state championships and were a perennial powerhouse from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Soto himself was a part of that legacy as a player, participating in the 1988 and 1990 state championship campaigns under legendary coach D.W. Rutledge. His return to Converse was viewed by many as a “dream job” scenario, aimed at stabilizing a program that had suffered its first losing season in 44 years prior to his arrival.
However, the results on the field highlighted the difficulties of competing in the current high-stakes landscape of Texas 6A football. The 17-28 record stands in contrast to Soto’s previous success at Johnson High School, where he led the Jaguars to a 19-3 record over two seasons, including a 10-0 regular season in 2021. Prior to Johnson, Soto served as the head coach and athletic director at San Marcos High School for eight years.
Soto’s career record now stands at 71-81. In his announcement, he reflected on the impact the sport had on his development, stating, “My dream of coaching the Judson Rockets was born on the field… where two state championship runs shaped who I am. Football built my character, my edge, my effort and my confidence.”
Judson Independent School District has not yet named an interim coach or outlined a timeline for finding Soto’s replacement. The vacancy is expected to attract significant attention given the program’s history, despite its recent struggles to climb back to the top of the state rankings.
