Rumblings in Lufkin/Abseck out!!

[TigerPride2008]

Idk if Lufkin will ever be the LUFKIN we grew up watching during the Outlaw Era. 

[1989NDN]

1 hour ago, LufkinPack said:

We operate like a small town. The circle of news only runs in about 5,000 of that. The other 30 are just here and don’t care 😂

That's hilarilous!!!

[LufkinPack]

30 minutes ago, TigerPride2008 said:

Idk if Lufkin will ever be the LUFKIN we grew up watching during the Outlaw Era. 

Lufkin missed that opportunity after Outlaw passed away. It was still a pretty desirable job at that point. We allowed Quick and staff to stay here far too long. Maybe at first, but he lost to Nacogdoches in just his 2nd and 3rd years in charge. That shoulda been enough right there to want a change. 

[ponderossa220]

Abseck chose his OC over Lufkin plain and simple 

[PackAttack]

9 minutes ago, ponderossa220 said:

Abseck chose his OC over Lufkin plain and simple 

I don't understand the connection, doesn't matter now. I think Abseck was doing good things here

[prepballfan]

Coaching Record by Team

High School Team	Tenure / Seasons	Record (W-L)	Key Highlights & Achievements
Cedar Park	2015–2019 (or through ~2020)	71–10	5 District Championships, 2015 Class 5A Division II State Championship, 2020 State Runner-Up
Barbers Hill (Mont Belvieu)	4 seasons (prior to 2025)	31–17	Led the Eagles to the area round of the playoffs each season
Lufkin	2025–2026 (2 seasons)	13–9	1 playoff appearance; resigned in November 2026

[prepballfan]

Lufkin should have plenty of interested coaches. 

[AAStephanie]

On 11/9/2026 at 9:03 PM, LufkinPack said:

There’s quite a bit to the story. It’ll be best for both parties. 
 

Allegedly 

What is the rest of the story...allegedly? We would like to know.  

[prepballfan]

As an Indian fan I watched our program go from average to Coach Faircloth building PN-G back into a first class program. Just as he is doing in Sulphur Springs. Then comes in Coach Joseph and Coach McDaniel. Literally two of the brightest coaches I have seen. Lufkin is historic, talent rich, new digs incoming, and all the variable's that a good coach would want to be at. When PN-Gs job opened up there were 135 applicants. I can imagine Lufkin being somewhat similar. The only factor that could change that is if there is conflict between the board and previous coaches that could warn off top tier coaches. Lufkin is one of those old fashion well known historical programs. That carries weight when the applications open up. Lufkin's first ever game was played in 1911 I think against Nac though not 100% sure. I would be excited. I just hope they build some sort of selection committee to help with the hiring. PN-G did this. Imagine a group of schoolboard members selecting a coach vs one of the best, and winningest coaches in Texas High School Football selecting your coach. Best of luck Lufkin from a former Zavalla student. 

[LufkinPack]

29 minutes ago, prepballfan said:

As an Indian fan I watched our program go from average to Coach Faircloth building PN-G back into a first class program. Just as he is doing in Sulphur Springs. Then comes in Coach Joseph and Coach McDaniel. Literally two of the brightest coaches I have seen. Lufkin is historic, talent rich, new digs incoming, and all the variable's that a good coach would want to be at. When PN-Gs job opened up there were 135 applicants. I can imagine Lufkin being somewhat similar. The only factor that could change that is if there is conflict between the board and previous coaches that could warn off top tier coaches. Lufkin is one of those old fashion well known historical programs. That carries weight when the applications open up. Lufkin's first ever game was played in 1911 I think against Nac though not 100% sure. I would be excited. I just hope they build some sort of selection committee to help with the hiring. PN-G did this. Imagine a group of schoolboard members selecting a coach vs one of the best, and winningest coaches in Texas High School Football selecting your coach. Best of luck Lufkin from a former Zavalla student. 

Thank you. PNG hit paydirt when they hired Joseph. 
 

I’ve wanted Lufkin to so bad try and go get Jamie Driskell from Malakoff for years. 

[LufkinPack]

37 minutes ago, AAStephanie said:

What is the rest of the story...allegedly? We would like to know.  

I’m not gonna post it. Because I don’t know anything for a fact. Just what’s being said within the community. It’s not my place and I don’t wanna spread misinformation.

It didn’t work out and I think the blame goes both ways. Lufkin could end up regretting this, or it could work out. Who knows. I’m just here 😅 lol 

[OlDawg]

17 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

I’m not gonna post it. Because I don’t know anything for a fact. Just what’s being said within the community. It’s not my place and I don’t wanna spread misinformation.

It didn’t work out and I think the blame goes both ways. Lufkin could end up regretting this, or it could work out. Who knows. I’m just here 😅 lol 

One of the 30k eh? Just make sure Atkinson’s hangs around. I’m still a sucker for Chick-O-Sticks and Zebra bars.

[LufkinPack]

12 minutes ago, OlDawg said:

One of the 30k eh? Just make sure Atkinson’s hangs around. I’m still a sucker for Chick-O-Sticks and Zebra bars.

😂😂😂

 

Fun fact: I do some routine maintenance work through my construction business at Atkinsons. I’m burnt out on the chick-o-sticks lol 

[Barbers Hill 2020-2024]

 

I’m gonna use a backup account to post anonymously, Idk, just to avoid drama or anything. But thought I could provide a little bit to this conversation 

 

I was a former player at Barbers Hill who was there for Abseck’s first three years (graduated before the final season however). Many of us agreed the OC was definitely hard to get along with. Not necessarily a bad person, but definitely could be a lot. We thought he was still mostly good at his job though until the end 2023. Our blown lead vs Porter right at the end had some very frustrating calls that ultimately let them complete a 21 point comeback on us. At one point, we had a fan scream “quit running the ball!” Then of course, the now infamous Barbers Hill vs Richland playoff game where we blew a 34-7 lead. Once again, too many runs that went nowhere before the lead was blown. We ended up have 2 more successful drives that game when we opted to start passing the ball again. Fuentes threw 48 TDs to 4 INTs that year, it was always obvious that we were a pass-first team. Even down to the fact that four of our OL were juniors or below. No shade at them, the run game was awesome from what I heard after we left and they became seniors.

 

As for Abseck, he seems like a really good guy (who probably doesn’t want to leave his OC in the dust with nothing… for better or for worse…). His main issue was that he struggled to adjust mid-game which is why we blew leads somewhat consistently. His pre-game gameplans were actually really really good, our upsets of Fort Bend Marshal in 2021 and Port Arthur Memorial in 2023 were mostly cause of his master pre-plans. But when La Porte and Richland adjusted against us in 2023, he just couldn’t respond. I do hate this for Abseck, but he just couldn’t get done. It doesn’t help that both Cedar Park and Barbers Hill have seemed to have more success since he’s left. I respect Abesck and hate this for him but his two biggest weaknesses: his undying loyalty to those he should probably leave behind and his struggles to make midgame adjustments pretty much saw the end of his time. I can’t speak for Lufkin on if his lack of adjustments hurt, but it seems like his undying loyalty did.

 

But if anyone ever has stories on Barbers Hill from 2020-2024. I pretty have them all. Anyone who played us that wants to know more about the matchup, I can answer all of them considering my varsity status from 2021 to 2023, plus my close friend was there in 2024, so I can pretty much answer most questions for that year too. But just wanted to share some BH side to this.

Edited 1 hour ago by WOSdrummer99
Language includes abbreviations

[1970]

1 hour ago, LufkinPack said:

😂😂😂

 

Fun fact: I do some routine maintenance work through my construction business at Atkinsons. I’m burnt out on the chick-o-sticks lol 

Since we're off track and this thread seems to have hit bottom, so to speak ...  Atkinsons still makes those chicken sticks?  I could swear that I read within the last year or so that they were no longer made.  

[LufkinPack]

6 minutes ago, 1970 said:

Since we're off track and this thread seems to have hit bottom, so to speak ...  Atkinsons still makes those chicken sticks?  I could swear that I read within the last year or so that they were no longer made.  

They definitely still make them lol. I actually was just given two big boxes of them. My son plays travel baseball, I just walk around at tournaments giving them out in loads LOL

[AAStephanie]

3 hours ago, LufkinPack said:

I’m not gonna post it. Because I don’t know anything for a fact. Just what’s being said within the community. It’s not my place and I don’t wanna spread misinformation.

It didn’t work out and I think the blame goes both ways. Lufkin could end up regretting this, or it could work out. Who knows. I’m just here 😅 lol 

Then why even say anything? It seems as though you are just trying to stir the pot a little.  

Let us adults remember that there are children watching how we act and speak about this.  Let us be a good example and not someone who tears them down. 

[LufkinPack]

24 minutes ago, AAStephanie said:

Then why even say anything? It seems as though you are just trying to stir the pot a little.  

Let us adults remember that there are children watching how we act and speak about this.  Let us be a good example and not someone who tears them down. 

I’m not trying to stir the pot. I was simply acknowledging what is being discussed around the community and being honest about what I’m hearing. I also made it clear that I don’t know ALL of the facts and won’t pretend that I do. So…. 

I agree that we have a responsibility to set a good example for the kids. That includes being respectful, but it also means being able to have conversations and opinions without assuming the worst intentions of others. At the end of the day, I want what’s best for Lufkin and its kids. Hopefully, that’s what this all leads to. Because I’m told this is the correct route to take. 

[EagleFan1982]

On 11/9/2026 at 7:30 PM, AggiesAreWe said:

This was sent to me from the Lufkin Sports Forum:

Tough news tonight. Coach Carl Abseck will officially resign Tuesday as AD and HC at Lufkin High School. Coach Matt Kuykendall left this morning. Also leaving will be Coach Chris Fudge who came with Abseck.

Coach Abseck spoke to the Panther team this evening.

Coach Danny Cowgill will remain as interim HC until a new HC and AD ae found.

There has been growth and progress in the football program in the two years with Abseck, the sub-varsity teams have grown in numbers and talent all because of his work. This is all new to me so I will post the official news later. I want to express a big Thank You for his time here and it's been a privilege to know him these past two years.

This is completely irresponsible.  I know for a fact that Coach Chris Fudge is still working, has not been asked to leave, and has not turned in his resignation.  You shouldn't post these things without being 100% certain of the truth.  These things get sent to their wives, children, family, and students/athletes that they coach/teach.  This causes undo stress for that family and the lives of the people that they have built relationships with.  You get to sit around and dream up scenarios without thinking about the consequences.  

So, I am sure that all of the other things that you have posted are 100% accurate.... right....

Think about these things before you post "facts."

As for as Coach Abseck and this situation, it is a shame.  He is a great man and great leader.  He was given only a short amount of time to attempt to right the ship.  This is an embarrassment for the district of Lufkin and they have only made it tougher on themselves to recruit a quality candidate because if they only gave him 20 months to build something, you better make an immediate impact or the seat begins to get real hot.  But I am sure that they have thought about all of this.  They must have... no way that they just fire someone without thinking about all the reproductions...no way...

[ltx4ever]

18 minutes ago, EagleFan1982 said:

This is completely irresponsible.  I know for a fact that Coach Chris Fudge is still working, has not been asked to leave, and has not turned in his resignation.  You shouldn't post these things without being 100% certain of the truth.  These things get sent to their wives, children, family, and students/athletes that they coach/teach.  This causes undo stress for that family and the lives of the people that they have built relationships with.  You get to sit around and dream up scenarios without thinking about the consequences.  

So, I am sure that all of the other things that you have posted are 100% accurate.... right....

Think about these things before you post "facts."

As for as Coach Abseck and this situation, it is a shame.  He is a great man and great leader.  He was given only a short amount of time to attempt to right the ship.  This is an embarrassment for the district of Lufkin and they have only made it tougher on themselves to recruit a quality candidate because if they only gave him 20 months to build something, you better make an immediate impact or the seat begins to get real hot.  But I am sure that they have thought about all of this.  They must have... no way that they just fire someone without thinking about all the reproductions...no way...

Does BH want them back?

[Gametyme05]

28 minutes ago, EagleFan1982 said:

This is completely irresponsible.  I know for a fact that Coach Chris Fudge is still working, has not been asked to leave, and has not turned in his resignation.  You shouldn't post these things without being 100% certain of the truth.  These things get sent to their wives, children, family, and students/athletes that they coach/teach.  This causes undo stress for that family and the lives of the people that they have built relationships with.  You get to sit around and dream up scenarios without thinking about the consequences.  

So, I am sure that all of the other things that you have posted are 100% accurate.... right....

Think about these things before you post "facts."

As for as Coach Abseck and this situation, it is a shame.  He is a great man and great leader.  He was given only a short amount of time to attempt to right the ship.  This is an embarrassment for the district of Lufkin and they have only made it tougher on themselves to recruit a quality candidate because if they only gave him 20 months to build something, you better make an immediate impact or the seat begins to get real hot.  But I am sure that they have thought about all of this.  They must have... no way that they just fire someone without thinking about all the reproductions...no way...

We didn't fire Absek but I totally understand why he left. I will definitely miss him. I could see the seeds he was planting and it was only a matter of time.