Mark Cunningham was a candidate to become the head football coach at Goliad when Kyle Taylor got the job in 1994.

Cunningham, who has been the defensive coordinator at China Spring, didn't miss out on his second chance at the Goliad job.

Cunningham was named the head football coach at Goliad by a unanimous vote of the school district's board of trustees on Tuesday night.

Cunningham was selected from a group of four finalists that were interviewed on Monday night by board members, interim superintendent Buddy Young, incoming superintendent Debbie Paulsgrove and former NFL coach Bum Phillips.

The finalists ironically included Taylor, who is currently the offensive coordinator at Hallettsville.

The other finalists were St. Joseph athletic director and head football coach John Mares and Alice defensive coordinator Stephen Silva.

"It's a great opportunity," Cunningham said. "The community is obviously totally behind the program. They have unbelievable facilities so you can tell they care. This is an opportunity to move into something special."

Cunningham has been a head football coach at Alvarado, Pittsburg, White Settlement and Glen Rose.

He began his 29-year coaching career as an assistant under Ross Rogers at Giddings and A&M Consolidated.

Young said Cunningham received a two-year contract and will start work on Thursday.

Cunningham will replace Greg Althof, who resigned as head football coach last month.

Althof will continue as athletic director until the end of his contract or until he finds another position at which time Cunningham will become athletic director.

"The first thing I want to do is get to know the teachers, the students, the athletes and the parents," Cunningham said. "We're going to talk about academics and not just athletics. Athletics are not the only way to get to college."

Goliad had a 1-9 record last season and went 0-5 in District 28-3A.

The Tigers will compete in District 30-3A in the upcoming season against Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Mathis, Rockport-Fulton and Sinton