(Pharr, Texas)-Twenty-eight seasons ago, Tony Villarreal started his head coaching career at Port Isabel High School, and after coming back to Port Isabel in 2020 to take over as the head football coach, the Tarpons only played one-game in 2020 due to COVID-19, now, the Tarpons are off to a 2-0 start.
On Friday night, Villarreal notched his 200th win by defeating Valley View 30-7 in non-district action at Tiger Stadium. “It’s been a long stretch. Winning No. 200 tonight didn’t come easy,” says Villarreal. “Valley View is a good ball club.”
Villarreal looks back and he will be the first to tell his team and fans, “that woman who sits in the stands is special and together, we won our 200th game.” Villarreal paused for moment, and was emotional when he talked about his wife, Arlene, who has attended every game throughout his career, along with his son, Anthony and daughter in law. “They sit in the stands and have heard all the negatives and positives throughout my career. Tonight, we won this game together with Port Isabel ISD.”
Villarreal graduated from Brownsville Hanna High School and went on to play baseball at Texas Southmost College and Southern Methodist University (SMU) before entering the coaching ranks. He coached at Brownsville Hanna, PSJA North, Port Isabel, and Weslaco. He won district championship titles at all four high schools, including a State 3A Semifinals appearance in 1994 with the Tarpons. “That team was special,” adds Villarreal. “Losing to Sealy was tough.”
At Weslaco, Villarreal became the all-time winningest Panther head football coach. He coached the Panthers for twelve seasons. He led the Panthers to three 5A Regional appearances and won four district titles.
Still, Villarreal remembers his parents who played a role in his upbringing and career. “My Dad and Mom died recently and it’s been hard. I know my Dad would have loved to have been here to share this win with me,” says the active winningest high school Hispanic head football coach in the Rio Grande Valley. The loss of his parents in 2021 still brings emotions to the PI head coach. He also remembers these words that his Dad would always share with him throughout his life. “My Dad would say, son when your worst day is an average day and you still win, you have something special,” says Villarreal. (HSSMImages)
