ELSA – Coach Robert Capello is no longer the Edcouch-Elsa’s boys basketball coach.

It’s been tough for him to let go of the whistle.

“There’s only so much yard work you can do and I don’t fish very much,” said Capello. “In my mind, I’m still a coach.”

He stepped down in 2017 after earning his 1,000th victory. Throughout his career, Capello racked up numerous accomplishments.

His most recent recognition came in May. He was elected to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

It’s his fifth hall of fame induction.

“I’m elated,” said Capello. “I only think about all my athletes from the past. I didn’t do it by myself. There was a bunch of people that had to do a lot with each of those five Hall of Fames.”

Though he’s well known for his time on the court, Capello was also a Spanish teacher in the classroom.

“I told them when you graduate from high school, you start looking for a job and you’re not able to speak Spanish in the Valley, you’re going to go have a tough time getting a job. So you better learn,” said Capello. 

Although he’s retired now, Capello still attends Yellow Jacket athletic events to support the program he was a part of for so long.