Biography
David Cantu
Athletic Director/Head Football Coach
Coach Cantu, a proud graduate of Los Fresnos High School in 1992, is in his 25th year of coaching. He obtained his undergraduate degree (Biology) from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 1996 and his master’s degree (Educational Administration) from The University of Texas at Brownsville in 2006. He will serve as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director.
He began his coaching career at Los Cuates Middle School in 1996 and then went on to coach at the freshman level at Los Fresnos High School in 1999. His first varsity assistant coaching position came in 2002 as he served as the Falcons defensive ends coach. After a year at Brownsville Pace in which he served in the same role, he returned to Los Fresnos High School in 2004 to coach the quarterbacks and serve as the offensive coordinator in charge of the passing game. In 2006 he became the sole offensive coordinator, continued to coach the quarterbacks, and was part of the staff that earned 3 district titles, 4 bi-district titles, and 3 area titles.
In 2010 Cantu became the head football coach and athletic coordinator at Brownsville Rivera, was there for two years, and was recognized at The All-Metro Football Coach of the Year after his initial season.
In 2012 he took over in the same role at Brownsville Veterans Memorial High School and has been there since. In that time he compiled a 61-33 record, led five teams to playoffs, won two district titles, two bi-district titles, was a finalist for the Rio Grande Valley Sub-6A Coach of Year Award in 2012, and was honored to be the head football coach for the 2018 East All Star Team. Also, during his time at Veterans, the athletic program was recognized three times as the Rio Grande Valley Sub-6A Athletic Program of the Year. In addition, the program was chosen by the Houston Chronicle as #8 in the state (2016-17) and as #17 by UIL for the UIL Lone Star Cup, which recognizes high schools based on their overall team achievement.
Coach Cantu has also been active in a variety of other leadership positions. He currently serves an elected position as the Region 7 Football Advisor for the Texas High School Coaches Association. Additionally, he was chosen by the State Board of Education to serve as a Physical Education TEKS Review Content Advisor. Furthermore, Cantu recently served as the 32-5A Director for the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association.
Coach Cantu and his wife of 23 years, Laura have two children, David Jacob (student at University of Texas at Austin School of Pharmacy) and Lauren Hope (2nd grade student at Dora Romero Elementary).