Waxahachie, TX
March 5, 2018 | Andrew Hurst
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Head Football Coach, Frank Tristan, has announced his resignation after serving three seasons as Head Coach.
Tristan will step into the role of Head Football Coach at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) . WNMU is an NCAA Division II institution in Silver City, New Mexico .
“This has been a very difficult process because of how much we love SAGU and the football family at SAGU,” says Tristan.
Tristan previously served as Offensive Coordinator from 2012 through the 2014 seasons before being announced as Head Coach in 2015. Since then, he has led the Lions to two winning (8-win) seasons including the program’s winningest season ever last year with a record of 8-3 overall and 7-1 in Central States Football play. In two of his three seasons as Head Coach, SAGU defense has been ranked in the top 20 in the NAIA.
Along with numerous noteworthy wins, he also coached the team during their first appearance ever in the Victory Bowl of 2015. They returned to the Victory Bowl once again this past November to face off against Campbellsville University.
Jesse Godding, Athletic Director, says, “Coach Tristan has advanced SAGU football both on and off the field in his three years as Head Coach. Obviously, he has coached teams that demonstrated tremendous success on the field but I hold in greater esteem the impact Coach Tristan has made in the lives of players, coaches, and parents. His consistency of character and ability to represent the distinctives of SAGU throughout his life will be difficult to replace moving forward.”
“Coach Tristan is moving forward to what we believe is the next step in his life. While the entire SAGU community is saddened to see him leave, we are excited about the opportunity presented to him and what he will be able to accomplish in that position.”
Tristan stated that some of his favorite memories of SAGU were spent off the field. “The moments praying with players and watching them mature into young men is what sticks out the most,” he says. “Watching the maturation of these guys on and off the field has definitely been the most memorable.”
“I will definitely miss the players. These guys are truly like family to me and when you love people like we do; it always hurts to leave.”
Tristan’s leadership and influence will be missed. However, as an institution, we are excited for what the future holds for Tristan as he leads the Mustangs at Western New Mexico University.
“The Lord has opened the doors and is really giving us a fresh passion and vision for WNMU,” says Tristan.
“I really believe that we can establish a similar community at WNMU. I am excited to watch a new group of young men mature into men of character, equipped to be good dads, husbands, and community leaders.”
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu
