VIDOR, Texas — Vidor High School’s Jeff Mathews will not return as the school’s athletic director and head football coach after deciding to make a career change.
Mathews first season leading the Pirates was in 1999. In that time Vidor advanced to the playoffs nine times and won two district titles
In a statement Matthews said he will be accepting a job with BSN Sports, which is a company that specializes in athletic uniforms, equipment and other athletic apparel.
Southeast Texas' longest tenured head coach sent the statement via text this morning to 409Sports.
"I will not be the Football Coach at Vidor next season. I have accepted a job with BSN. Words cannot express how much I have enjoyed every minute of the last 30 years with Vidor ISD. I could not have worked for a better Administration, School Board or Community. In addition, I could not have been blessed with better kids than I have had the privilege to coach. I have truly loved every one of them! I will miss my daily interactions with them more than anything else. My decision to leave was not an easy one and the thought of not being their coach breaks my heart. I will however continue to be their biggest fan and support them in a different role. I will always be a League Villain! Go Pirates!!!"
Before Mathews took over the program, Vidor finished (1-9) in 1998 and had only two playoff appearances (1964 and 1978). The Pirates improved to (5-5) in year one and he very next season Vidor ended a playoff drought that dated back to 1978. Mathews moves on after leading the black and gold to three-straight postseason trips, the longest playoff streak in school history.
In 2011 Vidor won their first playoff game since 1964 when they topped Crosby 42-20 in the Bi-District round. The Pirates would go on to defeat Montgomery before falling in the Regional playoffs to to Angleton.
In all Jeff Mathews finishes his career with a record of 117-124. All of those games were leading the Vidor Pirates.