Kingsville Independent School District’s second search for a new athletic director and head football coach has attracted 24 applications with one of them coming from James Jefferson of Santa Gertrudis Academy High School.

Jefferson played running back for H.M. King High School from 1978-1982. He was the first player since Preacher Pilot (1958) to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Jefferson also reached state as a sprinter in both the 100 and 200-meter Dash.

“Being from Kingsville, the things I have accomplished, I am very proud of my alma mater,” Jefferson said. “I am from here so I know the people, the history like 1958 and I still talk to those guys that went to that state football game. That is what fuels me to do this because sports is what I do, what I breathe and sleep.”

Between 1982-1985, Jefferson played running back for Texas A&I where he flourished at the cornerback position during his senior season earning Lone Star Conference accolades and was named an All-American.

Jefferson began his professional playing career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League with whom he won a Grey Cup in ’88 and was an All- Canadian selection in ‘87 and ‘88.

The former Brahma then played with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League from 1989-1993 where he was twice named American Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Jefferson also holds a share of the Seahawks’ longest kickoff return record at 93 yards.

Jefferson’s final playing days came with the C.F.L.’s B.C. Lions with whom he won a Grey Cup with in ’94 before retiring after the ’95 season.

Once retired, Jefferson shifted from player to coach spending five years at Texas A&M-Kingsville, one at Alabama State, came back to TAMUK for one year, assisted the New Orleans Saints as a regional scout for seven years and returned to the Javelinas in 2007 before taking the job at Academy in the fall of 2008.

Other area coaches who have thrown in their hats include Ricardo Middle School’s James Davis and H.M. King’s Sam Callis; both of who are among seven candidates taking their second shot at the position.

Callis and Davis previously applied back in February along with 29 other candidates seeking to replace former AD Andrew Hrncir who resigned in January.

Callis was an interview finalist and Davis was not.

KISD, however, selected Corpus Christi Carroll Defensive Coordinator Marcus A. Booker as Hrncir’s replacement on March 23 then rescinded that decision, four days later, and commenced a second search.

Callis, who previously said he would not re-apply, changed his mind.

“As the deadline (April 9) approached, I felt that this is the place I want to be,” Callis said. “For me not to re-apply would be kind of going against what we tell our athletes to do which is overcome adversity. Lots of people know this is a good community and place to be.” H.M. King Coach Douglas Kent, who also applied back in February but declined making a second run, is currently the Interim-AD for KISD.

Interviews for the selected finalists will possibly be held on April 27.

Superintendent Emilio Castro is expected to take his final recommendation before the school board on May 4.