After leading the Odessa High girls basketball team for three seasons, head coach Marcus Chapa is departing the program to take on a new challenge.
Chapa confirmed Tuesday that he accepted a role coaching football, boys basketball and track and field at Lampasas Junior High.
The role will help Chapa place an emphasis on family, giving him an opportunity to coach his oldest son who is heading into the seventh grade.
“My students understand from our values, there’s a reason why I’m going back home and serving my children and doing what I feel that is right for the direction of my family,” Chapa said.
He was hired to lead the Lady Bronchos program prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, most recently taking the team to the bi-district round of the 2022 Class 6A playoffs.
Chapa went 44-47 at Odessa High, with a 14-20 mark in District 2-6A play.
The Lady Bronchos made the playoffs in two of those seasons, falling to El Paso teams in first-round matchups both times.
They weren’t too far from achieving postseason success this year, losing to El Paso Franklin after a late free throw despite a spirited effort to tie the game up late.
Chapa said the work athletic director Troy Rogers and boys basketball coach Aaron Nuckles have done at Lampasas High helped draw him to the program.
Lampasas High is a Class 4A school located in central Texas.
“Being back home and having a leader like [Rogers], I’m just pretty excited to go back and learn, and to grow,” Chapa said.
Through his work at the junior high level, Chapa will look to provide a solid base for Nuckles by developing players before they move up to high school.
Originally from Stanton, Chapa was grateful for the experiences he was able to pick up in West Texas.
Before taking over at Odessa High, he had a coaching stop with the boys basketball team at Iraan.
He’s anticipating another strong showing from the Lady Bronchos next year as they head into the new transition.
Chapa wanted to make sure he gave Odessa High enough time to go out and get a high-character, resilient coach to match the culture of the program.
Over the last three years, Chapa said his athletes taught him about the value of family and maintaining a consistent level of hard work.
He saw each of his players build strong connections with his kids, something that stood out to him since moving to Odessa.
“Odessa High School will forever hold a place in my heart,” Chapa said. “It was an opportunity that was given to me and a challenge that was accepted.
“I’m glad that we’ve been successful here and truly appreciative of [Mauricio] Marquez and his staff, as far as direction and leadership.”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
