Madison High School head football coach out after 1 season

Letter to parents stated Campbell had 'desire to look for positions elsewhere'

SAN ANTONIO – After just one short season in the saddle, John Campbell is out as the head football coach and athletic coordinator at Madison High School.   

The coach’s immediate departure was confirmed in a letter sent home to parents on Thursday by North East Independent School District Associate Superintendent Donna Newman.

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Campbell was hired in March 2016 to replace Mark Smith, who decided to retire after a record of 4-16 in just two seasons, which included their first season without a victory in 2015, 0-10. In his first and only season at Madison High School, Campbell led the Mavericks to a 4-7 finish.

Campbell opened Brandeis High School in the North Side Independent School district in 2008 and had a very successful record of 69-19, including three trips to the state quarter-finals before he abruptly resigned in 2015 to take an assistant coaching position at Texas A&M Commerce.

The letter, dated Feb. 9, said the reason for Campbell’s departure was “his desire to look for positions elsewhere.” It continued on to say that effective immediately, assistant athletic coordinator Shannon Wolfe will serve as acting athletic coordinator and Madison offensive coordinator Tate DeMaso will serve as acting head football coach.

Madison High School has struggled to find a long-term replacement for Jim Streety, "the winningest" coach in San Antonio high school football history. He retired in February 2014 after 23 seasons at Madison and 40 years in coaching, with an overall record of 343-131-3.