Gonzales Athletic Director Kodi Crane to resign

Crane accepts same position at Caddo Mills ISD

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GONZALES — After five seasons as head football coach and athletic director for the Gonzales Apaches, Kodi Crane is set to officially resign Monday as he accepts a job with the same title at Caddo Mills ISD.

“It is with respect and mixed feelings that we will say goodbye to Coach Kodi Crane,” said Dr. Kim Strozier, superintendent of Gonzales ISD. “This move is one that will bring his extended family closer and on that note, we are so happy for the Crane family. We will truly miss him, Leslie and the boys as they continue their journey.”

The Gonzales ISD school board will meet Monday, Feb. 4 to accept Crane’s resignation.

According to Crane, the current superintendent at Caddo Mills ISD was a principal during the time he coached at Groesbeck.

“That job came open and he called and asked,” Crane told the Inquirer. “We went up there and looked at it, it’s a lot closer to my wife’s family, it’s closer to my family, not a ton, but hour, hour and a half. So, closer to family, and we decided after we went up there and looked around and interviewed it was great opportunity, not only now but in the future as well.”

Crane will start at Caddo Mills on Feb. 11.

The Apaches athletic program underwent many changes during his tenure. With the addition of boys’ and girls’ soccer, installation of a new track and revamping the weight room with new equipment, the Gonzales Apaches saw many upgrades since Crane’s hiring in 2014.

“I hope we’re leaving an impression that we love kids and we have taken care of kids to the best of our ability,” Crane said. “Yes, we have developed a soccer team, we have got new weight room equipment and put down a track and all of that is great, but I hope that the legacy is that this coaching staff cared about kid s and took care of kids and put kids first in every decision that we’ve made since we’ve been here.”

“Coach Kodi Crane made a hugely positive impact for our Apache Athletes and the district as a whole,” Strozier said. “Coach came to Gonzales ISD with a passion for leading athletes with a focus on developing leaders for life. The leadership and implementation of a program supporting students holistically took hold immediately and made our program stronger. The attention given to the importance of family and dedication to being a positive role model in all walks of life is commendable. We have appreciated the focus on setting goals for achievement not only athletically but academically as a strength. Additionally, providing for the alignment of athletics starting at the sixth-grade level has also contributed to greater strengths in athletic preparation.

“We will certainly miss Coach Crane and wish him the best as he moves on to his new position.”

Crane leaves Gonzales with 27-32 overall record, making it to the playoffs all five seasons. The Apaches won three playoff games under Crane.

Crane thanked administrators, the superintendent, the school board and the Gonzales community for accepting his family during his time as head coach.

“Most importantly, thank you to the kids,” Crane said. “A big thank you to all the players that sacrificed so much for Apache athletics.”

Editor’s Note: A longer profile on Kodi Crane’s tenure as Gonzales Apaches athletic director will be published in the Feb. 7 edition of the Inquirer.

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