HOUSTON - Greg Cranfill has been hired as St. Pius X's new head football coach, according to Athletic Director Jeff Feller.
St. Pius X made the hire official on Thursday, after going through a hiring process, which included 78 applicants to the job over the past few weeks.
"I don't think words could describe the way I feel right now," Cranfill said to VYPE in an exclusive interview. "Humbled and honored are the two that come to mind real quick. You're talking about one of the most historic programs in the State of Texas. A program that's got so much on the rise. An administration and staff that is running that school that understands the who, what, when, where and why of what they do. That's just completely exciting to me."
Cranfill comes from Wills Point High School - a Class 4A program - where he spent the last six years leading the Tigers to a district championship in three of the last four seasons, including in 2019. The Tigers went 6-5 last year.
In his time at Wills Point, Cranfill amassed a record of 32-33. In 2016, he guided the Tigers to a 7-5 record, which was the most wins for the program since going 9-2 in 2009.
"The guy's a proven head coach, he turns around programs and he's well versed in being a head coach and it's not only for football," Feller said. "He's been a head coach for basketball, baseball and been an athletic director. While this is a football coaching position and we're going to get back to our great ways at St. Pius X, Greg's going to be a true asset to not only the football program but also to the entire athletic department and then the whole school.
"I think that speaks beyond his skills of a coach but also to who he is as a person. When you meet this guy, you just know."Before Wills Point, Cranfill served on the staff of Flower Mound Marcus and head coach of Itasca from 2004-2006. Cranfill has an overall coaching record of 51-46 in his nine seasons.
Cranfill takes over a St. Pius X program that went 2-9 last season, which snapped a streak of seven years with at least a winning record.
"I think the key for me is going in and creating a consistent culture," Cranfill said. "One that when a freshman or eighth grader or even a fifth grader looks at the St. Pius X athletic program they're going to see a leader who's going to be there for the long haul and something we can build on. It's exciting for me to come into a historic program like this. Yes, they did have a down year last year, but I think the pieces are in place to get right back up on that horse and to take off into the sunset. This program is destined for greatness through leadership and hard work."
