A total of 31 applicants have thrown in their name for the athletic director - head football coach position at the Kingsville Independent School District.

The window to submit applications closed on Feb. 12.

Three of the 31 applicants are from within the area, but the district would not reveal those names before consulting with its attorney on the matter, according to Dolores N. Hernandez, KISD Director of Personnel.

She said the other 28 candidates were from various areas throughout Texas.

Hernandez also said the district was happy to receive so many applications.

“Kingsville ISD is pleased that we have received a large number of applications,” Hernandez said in an e-mail.

“This position is crucial to our community and district, and we welcome the opportunity to have many individuals who have taken a vested interest in our youth through the athletic program.”

KISD Superintendent Emilio Castro said a local committee put together by school trustees is screening all of the applications this coming week through Friday.

Interviews are scheduled to be conducted by a committee of community members and district personnel March 3-5.

“We’re going to have some parents, teachers, coaches, also the high school principal and some folks from central (administration) on the interview committee,” Castro said.

“The final recommendation will be made to the school board by me,” he noted.

“There are a number of applicants who are experienced athletic directors, which is a big plus, and head football coaches, so we do have some experience to pull off from.”

Castro will recommend the top applicant sometime between March 8-12.

KISD’s new athletic director and head football coach will succeed current honcho Andrew Hrncir who resigned back in January.

Citing personal reasons for his resignation, Hrncir is staying on until June 15.

At first classified as an interim, Hrncir was named athletic director back in March of 2009.

He replaced former sports boos Rory Minter who recently resolved his federal lawsuit against KISD.

Hrncir’s football teams went 12-18 in his three years as head coach.