Joe A. Rodriguez †
Inducted: 1991
Hometown: Edinburg
High School: Edinburg High School
College: Pan American College
Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball and Football
b. March 19, 1936-April 6, 2021
Rodriguez is one of the ultimate coaches/administrators in area annals, having been named to the state halls of honor of both groups.
He was a backup quarterback at Edinburg High and after graduating in 1952 he went on to play basketball and baseball for Pan American College.
Rodriguez moved to Brownsville and became one of the city's leaders as head coach of the Eagles in several sports. His baseball Eagles went 125-72 with two state Final Four appearances. Brownsville High reached the Class 4A state championship game in 1965 and state semifinals in 1966.
Rodriguez’ football teams won 89 games, including the talented 1969 team that won a district championship and reached the second round of the playoffs. That 1969 team had gone 0-9 in Rodriguez’ first year in 1967, but the seniors enjoyed a banner season two years later.
He was named to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall in 1981, and in 2007, joined a similar ring of honor for state athletic directors.
