GILBERT STEPS ASIDE | Sabine AD, head football coach announces he won’t return in 2026
Sabine High School will have a new athletic director, Cody Gilbert announced on Thursday, as he is stepping aside.
Gilbert, the school’s AD and head football coach, made it public on Thursday with an announcement on the school’s Facebook page (Sabine ISD), then confirmed his decision in a conversation with ETBlitz.com on Thursday night.
“Today, I informed our staff and student athletes that I will not be returning in 2026 as the athletic director and head football coach at Sabine ISD,” Gilbert’s statement began. “I want to sincerely thank Mr. Monty Pepper and former Superintendent Mr. Stacey Bryce for the opportunity to serve Sabine ISD and for their mentorship during my time here. I am also grateful to the Sabine ISD Board of Trustees for their support and continued belief in our program.”
With few exceptions, Sabine sports have been competitive under Gilbert’s tenure, and injuries have played quite a role in the football program the last few years, none bigger than a hand injury to former quarterback Colt Sparks in 2024. Sparks, Gilbert and the Cardinals were 2-0 when the QB suffered a hand injury in a road loss at New Diana. Sparks, a Division I talent, didn’t return that season, and the Cardinals had a hard time recovering.
Sparks is now a student at Texas State University, and a part of their football program.
The Cardinals, who play in the local 3A version of “The District of Doom” the last few years, will move forward without Gilbert, who by all accounts is one of the most popular, well-liked athletic directors in the East Texas region. Fans took to social media Thursday evening, with many lamenting Gilbert’s departure.
“Coaching has always been about relationships,” Gilbert wrote, in his statement. “It has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career to work alongside our coaches and their families. I have deep respect and appreciation for each of them and for the commitment they show to our student athletes every day.
“When my family and I arrived in 2022, our vision was to unite our school community under the theme of Cardinal pride – bringing together girls and boys athletics and every student group in support of one another. We have made countless memories with our students, and we are thankful for each of them.
“After much prayer and consideration, my family and I helieve this is the right time for new leadership to continue moving the program forward. We hope you know we gave our best efforts every day. #CardinalPride, the Gilbert Family.”
Gilbert is the second head football coach / athletic director in the 15-school ETBlitz.com coverage area to announce they won’t return in 2026: former White Oak High School coach Michael Ludlow also announced that several weeks ago. White Oak ISD recently brought back former football assistant Tanner Thiel, hiring Thiel as AD and head coach.
When Sabine ISD makes its decision on a new leader of athletics, we’ll have it here on ETB.