Friday, August 4, 2017

SORRY, CHARLIE, RIVERA H.S. MOVE WASN'T IN GOOD TASTE

By Juan Montoya

The things some people do at the Brownsville Independent School District do never ceases to amaze us.
Whether it's trustee-vendors discussing purchases in an open meeting, serving on the board being city employees in direct violation of personnel policy, creating Political Action Committees to target trustees, ordering golden rings without authorization, etc., the list just goes on and on.

Now we hear that one of the maverick characters of the city – Faulk Middle School coach Charlie Atkinson – a former U.S. Customs agent who has also served as a city commissioner – almost got himself placed as a coach in the athletic department staff of Rivera Early College High School.

We say almost because the effort was nipped in the bud when it was discovered that the BISD administration didn't know he had been reassigned and sent up the ranks from his position at Faulk.

From what we have been able to ascertain, Faulk Principal Benita Villarreal released Atkinson so he could transfer to Rivera where principal Norma Canales was willing to accept him. With the football season coming in the Fall, Atkinson moved in to the coaching offices and set up shop at the Rivera coaching offices. He even called up student athletes to participate in Tutor Day.

But there was only a slight hitch. None of the coaches under Rivera Athletic Coordinator Tom Chavez – who is also Interim AD for the BISD – had been told Atkinson was being transferred to their department. When they found out, they went to the BISD administration and demanded to know how that had come about.

It is reported that no one under Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas or Chavez knew about the "transfer" and Atkinson was told to return to his position at Faulk.

But some people close to the athletic department at the BISD said they saw something was up since the last district coaching conference when he openly challenged former National Football League player – and now Lopez Early College High School Athleteic Coordinator – Jason Starkey and said he would teach him "how the game is played."

With the Faulk Middle School experience under his belt, Atkinson was reported to have told the former NFL center who played for the Arizona Cardinals for four years after he graduated from Marshal, that his team at Rivera would beat his Lopez 11. No one knew what he was talking about and they ignored his rant.

It wasn't until Atkinson suddenly appeared on the Rivera campus that the other coaches realized that he had known all along that he would get a transfer there. Is it a coincidence that he is related to Sandra Powers, the Assistant Athletic Coordinator under Chavez? Did she know?

With the BISD athletic department in a flux, it is not beyond the imagination that if Chavez is made the AD of the district, Atkinson would be positioned to advance quickly up in the pecking order.

But as soon as the BISD administration got wind of the matter, they set about to reverse the transfer and Charlie returned to Faulk.

This is not the first time Atkinson has attempted a lateral move. He made the front pages of the local daily some time back.

In 2008, he had then-City of Brownsville Director of Aviation Larry Brown issue him a badge given to airport employees, contractors and U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors stationed at the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. It allowed them access to secure areas.

Brown said he issued Atkinson a badge because he was a U.S. Customs inspector. Although Atkinson is not stationed at the airport, Brown said Atkinson told him that he could be stationed there at some point.

The local daily reported then that Atkinson was stationed at the Gateway International Bridge. City Manager Charlie Cabler told them he had been unaware that the city issued Atkinson a badge.
After the brouhaha erupted over the badge, Atkinson was made to return it.

At the time, Atkinson maintained that Customs officials told him that he could get a badge from the city instead of the federal agency.

The latest incident led some wags who remembered the old StarKist Tuna commercial about the tuna who was trying to impress the company with his good taste instead of tasting good.
"Sorry, Charlie, Rivera wants coaches who have taste, not coaches who have connections."

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Compare himself to a tamal not NFL he meant.

Anonymous said...

Hahahahaha!
Poor guy, has no coaching experience. That's why Brownsville can't compete with Los Fresno, harlingen, and other valley powerhouses. Everyone moves up due to connections and not due to their resumes. Hahaha he thinks he can coach high school football hahaha what a clown!

Anonymous said...

Its just a family tradition

Anonymous said...

I guess he figures his big sister, La Dr. A, can help him on the sidelines.
Now, what will the board do to Benita and Nora who made this move without
authorization. Then they wonder why they are not promoted and file a grievance. Nora, que tonta, te acaban de dar esa opportunity y ya la masiaste! Los Atkinson cren que their feces does not stink and they get
away with shenenigans like this all the time. Charlies didn't even go
through the rigorous courses that physical education/coaches do when the
actually go to college. All three of the culprits should be dismissed.

Unknown said...

If Rivera was competing in a food eating contest, I would highly recommend Charlie Atkinson for the job!!!

Anonymous said...

All of the Atkinson Cartel think that what is best for them is best for BISD...
WAY TO GO RIVERA....
TELL CHARLIE TO GET THE BACK!!!!!
Shit he got his job just before the SPA GOT HER FAT A$$ RUN OFF TO Rio Hondo.

Don't fuckWith T.C. HE BEEN THERE DONE DAT..

Anonymous said...

Charlie is a capable promotor and will eventually become a figure to contend with.
Maybe he's is line for a political position? Get the older Democratic leaders Filemon V, Rene O, Eddie L and Tony Y to back Charlie. We need someone to "fire up" Brownsville. "Tlacuaches".
God Bless them.

Anonymous said...

BISD is pura politica..i work there and see it every day...you can't get a position higher than the one you have...unless you know someone.. It's not what you know... It's WHO YOU know...smh

Anonymous said...

Joe Rod is a legend but if you read the Brownsville Herald article, his greatest coaching came in middle school. At the varsity level his best record was a 9-3 record and that's legendary? The bar is not set high and that's why Brownsville doesn't win.

Anonymous said...

Charlie Atkinson is a DICK! He is an ex-CBP, ex-commissioner, ex-ex, ex-ex and he should not be near BISD or our kids. He is nothing but "BULLSHIT". He sees himself as the "super athlete"....yet he is just a muscle mouth.

Anonymous said...

He may be me a good promoter, but he continues to be an ASSHOLE and an idiot.

In line for a political position? He had a hell of a chance as a city commissioner and he didn't cut it there. That was his time to shine and keep moving up the political tower. Instead, he was loud, rude and a drunk. The start-up position got to his head.

Fil, Eddie and Rene may make their unpopular choices, but I can surely say that they would not commit political suicide by publicly backing this fucktard.

In time, he will self destruct at BISD, just like he did at Customs and the commission.

Anonymous said...

Yup the time he beat Harlingen

Anonymous said...

Anonymous people talking shit!! He did win at Faulk when everyone expected him to fail. Back to Back undefeated championships in football is no fluke. I can't believe there are anon people talking shit when he has proven that he can win. The herald just posted a picture with Atkinson and his 14u softball team from East Brownsville team who went undefeated in district 24 and in district 4 who ended up in state just a week ago. Was that a fluke too? Atkinson is not like his sister Sylvia. He has back up everything he has brought to the table. HIs sister Sylvia should follow his lead instead of trying to shove her agenda down people's throat. If you don't like Atkinson its only because he has called you on your bullshit and held you accountable. STOP IT!!!!

Anonymous said...

Charlie, what an embarrassment to our community. Unfortunately, he has no integrity and is nothing but a lost soul. I venture to say that he doesn't even know who he is ( He's Lost within himself) poor Charlie....He unfortunately exists but, is not living a normal life, how sad for a humanbeing to experience such a life. He needs to pray but, i'm afraid he won't be listen to. There's no redemption for this poor soul. His kind deserves what he gets and nothing more. I hope one day he finds his soul but, his soul may not want to find him. How terribly sad this guy's (Charlie) life is, a lost SOUL.

Anonymous said...

He's a legend who has complete control of the district and will be the one to blame for its demise --- he brought in a supt who will divide and destroy just like she did the first time and everywhere she has been.

She caters to her little spies and any businessman with $$$---- not the business women --- just the men. Men who chose to not send their kids to bisd.

Anonymous said...

Charlie should be moved to Porter. He needs to follow the great group of kids he went undefeated with 2x in a roll. Porter needs a coach like Atkinson to we do not support nor like Uresti. We have seen Uresti being stubborn and ugly to his players. He throws tantrums when he don't get his way. We hoping the New principal will not put up with his no respect for others BS. Charlie Atkinson owes those kids he won with a winning chance. Follow them to Porter or a lot of parents have said that group will be split up, we will take our kids to Lopez, Hanna or all the way to Vets if we have to to avoid the new Head Coach at Porter. The kids like Atkinson the parents like how he is with the players, he wins. BISD Change him to Porter.

Anonymous said...

You can ride when you have talent. The kids make the team. Not that tamalero!

Anonymous said...

Regardless of Charlie's skills or his sister, they both need to know that they are not the sole individuals who can do everything right and put down everyone else with such hate and rudeness. If he is so good and his sister is so good, why are they always in trouble, causing trouble or seeking personal gain. I thought it was all about the kids

Oh, and both times that BISD has had Dr. Z at the head, we have come out ahead. She does think out of the box and is not afraid to try new things if it is for the benefit of the children, not the adults. The ones that look at her negatively are those who have had their shenenigans discovered and there toes stepped on. What other district has had the same supt. twice? Is it because she did so bad
the first time they brought her back for more. Que tontos lo que creen eso!

Anonymous said...

Get over yourself Charlie. It takes a team of coaches. Plus the kids that can't play we know you have them placed in other classes regardless of their love for sports. But its all about the kids right?

Anonymous said...

Shut the hell up, LOL! It's middle school football, big freaking deal!

The guy could win a million championships....but his ego and his attitude still make him an ASSHOLE!

An ounce of humility would go a long way.

Anonymous said...

Charlie is a pro at "throwing tantrums" when he doesn't get his way!

Don't believe me? Plenty of commission meeting videos on file!

Unknown said...

Is that you Charlie???

Anonymous said...

NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY...AT THE END OF DAY AT LEAST WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR THIS GRANDIOUS POLITICIAN....A SPORTS PARK!

Anonymous said...

Why twice? Uhhh Joe and the men

You criticize sylvia for problems with other district yet ignore the fact yiur supt has been run out of everywhere?

Anonymous said...

An over priced sports park that can only be used by few ass kissers.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing that states that the supt has been runned out of other districts. She left Indianapolis when she saw a board that would not support her; she left Salinas and San Jose as an advancement and she was never bought out by any district including Brownsville I have looked it up and have noticed that Silvia's info on the internet does have negative aspects of her reign. Silvia got a settlement from BISD and now she is on the board? Why is Silvia not working at Rio Hondo anymore? Why did San Benito not want her. Maybe La Feria will take her as a last resort. Don't bring down someone to cover for the other.

Anonymous said...

I heard that Benita moved Charlie to Rivera cause she could not stand him anymore at Faulk. Faulk has always won championships in middle school level so nothing is special about Charlie winning there. Go look at all the banners in the gym.

Anonymous said...

August 6 at 12:31

good lord, don't send them to vets. Cantu isn't much better over there. they are living in a land of delusion. everybody is told everything is great and they (teachers and students) walk around like zombies repeating "everything is great". Cantu puts down kids and coaches in front of everybody. he's like a politician. when talking to parents and administrators, he knows what to say. once he's on the field, he has no problem putting down the kids. even his own coaches diagnose him with bipolar disorder and are not sure whether they will have dr jeckyll or mr hyde each day. When we asked one coach why everybody put up with it, he stated that Cantue can do whatever he wants. that the district won't touch him because of some lawsuit he has hanging over them.

Anonymous said...

He sure gaining weight... but he has numbers and wins, Porter does not have a JV Team has cancelled JV games because no students want to play, he puts young kids 10th up.in Varsity and they all quit. They need to go where they going to have success. Porter is not it.

Anonymous said...

An athletic program is one that requires dedication, loyality and hard-work, plus understanding that without the kids, there is no program. Yet, some coaches think that in order to get the kids to move they have to be yelled at and addressed with vulgar language (like they are at home) and that will get them to move. The kids at Porter are good kids and they work just as hard as any other Brownsville kid, but the problem is that most do not have the luxury to stay for workouts afterschool since parents want them home right after school. It is hard to recruit when you have a losing season forever, but something has got to give. When these kids play at Faulk Middle School since way back in the 70 and 80, they would always win district and the same kids would come to Porter and the winning attitude was lost. Someone needs to figure out the why in this.

Anonymous said...

Faulk had not won a district title in 30 years. They won back to back district titles and its because the last two principals there have removed football coaches who don't care to win. Faulk has a great coaching staff now and I'm sure in the future, all of them will be moved up. The new Porter principal needs to hold coaches accountable. Coaches there just don't believe they can win. It's a mindset and if the coach has doubt then these kids from Porter can see it and not care as well. They will play but their hearts won't be in it!! For Porter to win you need a principal who isn't afraid to move personnel around. With Porter being on PEG this is when you light a fire under people's butts. Accountability needs to reign there. Faulk was on PEG and Periera and Villarreal me in and made a commitment to winning at sports. It took a few years but teachers know now at Faulk that they will be held accountable. Faulk had a big group of bad, lazy, and unmotivated teachers who hid behind the union but that groups is in the minority now. Porter has a big group of Lazy, unmotivated teachers who either need to step up and be the best or move to another school. Once you weed out the bad coaches and the bad teachers then the mindset will improve.

Anonymous said...

Faulk did win before these principals got there! One coach alone can make a difference. The other coaches will follow the lead. But you need that one spark to make it happen. Kids like Coach Atkinson they respond good to him. My eldest plans little at Porter but never misses a practice. He says the new Head coach is not liked very much, they hated to see Coach CAMPOS leave. My son does not approve for us to send his younger brother to Porter from Faulk. My younger plays much more and also plays other sports. My older son says he wants him at other school because he wants him to continue to win. He says that the new coach will not allow players to play other sports,he tells they to pick football and not join other sports. My younger son wants to be with his brother we will see what we do, one thing for sure if he tells my son one sport, it will be basketball or soccer.

Anonymous said...

I've sent my son and daughter to both Faulk and Porter. My son played for Coach Campos during his Junior and Senior year. I must say that my son played football since he was 9 years old and I met many coaches but never had I met a coach as passionate as Coach Campos. He was humble, respectful and had many attributes that coaches nowadays lack. He had an open door policy and always had time for his players and parents. He implemented an hour a day for the boys to hit the books and attend tutorial. When I heard he was leaving I was saddened but I hope and pray Coach Uresti follows in his foot steps. A coach must be a role model and incorporate that a successful team must lay the foundation of God first, humbleness, discipline, and respect! Treat each player as you'd like to be treated. I have faith that Porter will succeed in football because this kids have a big heart and they are hungry for the wins. Now, as far as Atkinson goes, all I can say is that it breaks my heart when kids share stories of how certain kids would get Whataburger meals and pizza during their lunch and be called to Atkinson's office for special treatment yet other kids who weren't good enough on the field nor the basketball court
never received a Whataburger meal or pizza. How sad that as an adult and supposed role model he'd turn to this extremity so kids would accept him because they never liked him.
Not everyone can be bought with meals and I hope his daughter never has to go through the rejection this kids did. Atkinson single picks the best players to be in his outside leagues. Now, if you consider yourself a coach...why not get the worst ones and actually coach them. By all means he talks very highly of himself and how great of a coach he is. A coach who single picks the best players and buys them with cheap meals will never make him a winner but in my opinion I consider him a sad individual that in due time he will be dealt with accordingly. Shallow is him who digs he's own grave. And no Porter doesn't need Atkinson. Porter needs coaches who will be role models to our future generations not blood thirsty individuals who enjoy buttering peoples' bread without having a certificate or degree to be where they choose to be.

rita