Following a perfect 13-0 season, and a run to the CCS Division V title, now-former Gilroy coach Jubenal Rodriguez announced he has left the program.
The Mustangs completed a remarkable turnaround in Rodriguez' three seasons as head coach, going from 3-7 in his first season - which matched the team's record from the previous year - to 8-4 in 2016 and 13-0 in 2017, claiming outright MBL-Pacific and CCS titles.
"I believe I am leaving the program in better shape than when I found it. A commitment was made by the players and coaches, we were all consistent with it, and as a whole we were able to understand the concept of sacrifice," Rodriguez said. "My goal coming in was to impact the lives of young student-athletes, and I believe my staff and I did just that. It was not easy, but well worth the long hours in the weight room and the field, and most importantly in the classroom, where we were able to achieve a team GPA of 3.0."
Despite the accolade-laden season the program just experienced, one which culminated in a victory parade alongside rival and CCS Division IV champion Christopher, this year is not the only one that created lasting memories for Rodriguez.
"The championship season Gilroy High School was able to experience is definitely one for the books, and I am proud that I was able to be a part of a school that has such a rich history," Rodriguez added. "The community will always remember the wins and the awards, but I will always remember the first year, where we went 3-7, but we laid the foundation with the hard work and dedication that went into getting this program to a respectable level. That was the year that set the stage for the success of 2017."
The Mustangs actually experienced a dramatic turnaround in his second season, when they went 7-3 in the regular season, including a 5-1 mark in league play, losing only to division champion Seaside. That year, they beat Gunderson in the first round of the playoffs before falling by one point to eventual champion Soledad. Despite that success, with a young core, there were questions whether they could overcome rival Christopher in 2017. The Cougars had beaten Gilroy in a non-league contest to open the 2016 campaign, and both teams were once again together in the same division after Christopher was dropped from the Gabilan to the Pacific.
Instead, in a game that decided the Pacific Division title, the Mustangs dominated their rivals, 24-6, and continued rolling from that point. 12 of Gilroy's 13 victories this past season were decided by double digits, including a 38-21 win over Menlo in the Division V championship game. And the lone game which was not decided by double digits - a 30-21 non-league win over Carmel - came in a game where Gilroy started slow and actually trailed 21-0 at halftime before rallying for the win. That game, maybe more than anything else, showed the resolve of his team, something Rodriguez will miss.
"I will forever miss the dedication of the players. There something different about kids that live in Gilroy. They are tough, hard-nosed, and display true grit when motivated," Rodriguez said. "I believe the direction of the program is on the rise. And whoever comes in and takes over will take over a stable program that has what it needs to succeed."
As for his immediate future in coaching, Rodriguez is unclear at this point, and is not yet able to commit to either time off or a different post. But he leaves the Mustangs having forged some lasting relationships, and valuing the program he was able to create and guide to unprecedented success, the school's first-ever section title in football.
"I felt in my heart it was time to step down at Gilroy, but I enjoyed my experience there and I am very thankful for a very supportive administration in Bruce Corbett and Marco Sanchez," Rodriguez concluded. "Whether I will be coaching next year, I don't know at this time. It is definitely in God's hands. But my time at Gilroy was special."