After 13 years at his alma mater, East Bernard coach Greg Murrile will be leaving to take a position at Class A Louise in the fall.

Murrile informed his athletes on his decision to move as the Louise ISD board of trustees approved his hiring.

Murrile will be Louise's football defensive coordinator, and will also coach junior high basketball. In addition, he will teach science within the Louise school district.

"I'm excited to get down there and work with the kids," said Murrile. "My family and I are very excited about the opportunity in Louise."

Murrile, who was the head baseball coach for 11 years at East Bernard, after coaching at Rice Consolidated for four years, admitted the decision was not an easy one.

"It was not an easy decision from a personal perspective, but professionally I felt the timing was right for a move," said Murrile, who was in San Marcos with the East Bernard boys and girls golf teams where they were competing in the Class 2A, Region IV tournament, when he commented on the hiring.

"We're excited to get there and meet the folks in the community." said Murrile. "Everyone we've met so far has been so nice to us and welcoming. It almost feels that we are there."

He stepped down as the Brahmas baseball coach last year to spend more time with his family. He remained as the football team's defensive coordinator and took over as the golf coach.

Murrile was contacted by new Louise Athletic Director and head football coach Mark Stevens about the position earlier in the month.

"We've been friends for a long time and he called me about being a coach," said Murrile. "I didn't apply for the job. I went down to visit with him and we talked about some things and what the job entailed.

"I guess I kind of fit that mold for them and things just kind of fell in place from there."

Murrile sees Louise as a community similar to the one in East Bernard.

"Being from East Bernard and growing up there, some people say I bleed maroon," said Murrile. "On a professional level I really felt like to have an opportunity to advance my career now was a good time for me to move on."

"I think it's going to be the same," said Murrile referring to the Louise sports program being similar to East Bernard. "One of things that I liked is that it's going to be a small town situation for my family."

Murrile will also miss his daily routine at East Bernard.

"The one thing I loved is that every time I came to work, I knew that exactly what I was going to get from my players," said Murrile. "I knew I was going to get their best and 100 percent from them. You never had to worry about that in East Bernard."

As the head baseball coach, Murrile compiled over 200 wins during his tenure, including coaching the Brahmas to several playoff appearances.

East Bernard ISD Athletic Director Jerry Long is now searching for a coach to replace Murrile.

Mike Konvicka and Gary Martin ; Fort Bend Herald