Clovis promotes assistant Fullerton to be head coach
Ex-Wildcat takes over for Roanhaus
This will be the most prominent Cal Fullerton to be discussed in New Mexico since a certain basketball team beat the Lobos nearly 40 years ago.
Clovis High School on Tuesday promoted Fullerton, its assistant offensive coordinator, to become the Wildcats’ head football coach.
He is the first new varsity coach at Clovis since the Jimmy Carter administration.
“You know, I’m looking forward to being able to work with these kids,” said Fullerton, 38. “We have a great group, and I can’t imagine any better place in the state to be able to get this opportunity.”
Clovis interviewed finalists late last week. Fullerton was the unanimous choice of the selection committee.
He is a 1997 Clovis graduate, began coaching in Clovis in 2002, and has been teaching in the district since 2004 — and at Clovis High for the last nine years.
“I don’t plan on changing a whole lot,” Fullerton said.
He inherits one of New Mexico’s most storied and recognized programs in the wake of Eric Roanhaus’ resignation just before Christmas.
“It’s an easy transition for these kids,” said Fullerton. “A lot of those things coach Roanhaus expected and demanded of them — hard work and discipline and integrity — that’s still at the top of our list.”
Roanhaus, whose first season was 1978, led the Wildcats to 10 blue trophies in 39 seasons as Clovis’ head coach, although the last championship season in Clovis was 2001. He left as New Mexico’s all-time winningest football coach, with 343 victories.
The reason for the drought can at least partially be tied to the continued strength of Las Cruces and Mayfield, and later the dual emergence of Rio Rancho and Cleveland.
“The last 12 times we played either Rio Rancho, Cleveland, Cruces or Mayfield, we’re 0-12,” Fullerton said. “They’re head and shoulders above everybody else right now.”
Roanhaus coached Fullerton, a former quarterback, before later adding him to his coaching staff in 2002. Fullerton is a former QB at Midwestern State in Texas, as well.
“The key thing is, when you have a successful program, you like to hire from within, and it’s better for the kids,” Roanhaus said. “Cal is a kids’ coach, and he’s knowledgeable and he’ll do a good job.”
Clovis is one of three prep football giants in New Mexico that have changed football coaches over the last 12 months. Rex Henderson took over for his uncle Cooper at Artesia, and Mark Lopez succeeded Jim Miller at Las Cruces High.
Inside Albuquerque, there remain two vacancies. Highland is expected to have its new head coach next week. Rio Grande also needs a new coach.
At Clovis, Fullerton’s father Dale, the athletic director, announced he will resign when his current contract ends on June 30. Dale Fullerton told the Journal from the start of the coaching search that he would not be involved in the selection process as he knew his son would be applying.
“The good thing is, I get to keep doing what I love to do, and that’s coach kids,” Cal Fullerton said. “That’s what we’re in the business for.”
NOTE: Fullerton on Tuesday night was serving as a basketball official for the Hobbs-Mayfield boys district tournament game. He said he had been chosen to work the upcoming state tournament.