EASTLAKE AIMS FOR FOOTBALL STABILITY
New hire Texler is Titans’ sixth head coach in six years
In stops at El Cajon Valley, Escondido and San Marcos, Jason Texler earned a reputation for running a wide-open passing offense.
Friday, Eastlake High Principal Ricardo Cooke announced Texler has been named head football coach of the Titans.
Texler is the sixth person to hold the title of head coach at Eastlake in six years, following Drew Westling, Paco Silva, John Mcfadden, Dean Tropp and Lee Price.
Westling resigned on April 5, just weeks after he was hired away from Hilltop, where his teams won three straight league titles.
Texler is a special education teacher at Eastlake. He coached at Grossmont as an assistant last season.
Texler indicated he was offered the Eastlake job before Westling accepted the position.
“When it was offered the first time, I was reluctant to take it,” said Texler, who chose not to elaborate on his decision.
“When the opportunity presented itself again, the time was right. I realized this is where I want to be, where I want to set down roots.
“There have been a lot of changes at Eastlake. They’ve had several coaches.
“I want that to change.” Texler has a 78-59-1 record in 12 years as a head coach, including 56-28 in seven years at San Marcos.
His 2005 El Cajon team was 11-3 and his 2014 San Marcos club was 10-2. He had two nine-win seasons at San Marcos and two eightwin campaigns.
“Coach Texler has vast experience in running championship level programs at the varsity level,” Cooke said in an email to the Eastlake staff. “In each instance, he injected a sense of pride and commitment to the football program.
“He has proven that his up-tempo spread offense can promote the strengths of various skill players.”
Eastlake has been a South County power but inconsistent in recent years. The Titans were 10-2 in 2018 and 10-3 in 2017, but were 5-6 last season, 2-9 in 2016 and 5-6 in 2015.
“We have a new principal, and he’s a big football fan,” Texler said. “He works and grinds just like a coach. He wants to create an exciting culture here.
“There are a lot of really talented athletes, good kids in the Eastlake area. Without a doubt, we will throw it.
“Getting the job now is a little bittersweet because I can’t see the kids (because of the pandemic).
“But we’ll adapt and adjust — and hopefully win some games.”
john.maffei@sduniontribune.com