Alief Hastings OC Tomas De La Rosa elevated to replace retiring HC David Martel

Alief Hastings has found its next leader.

On the heels of Bears head coach David Martel’s retirement after more than 15 years at Alief ISD, Hastings named a Tuesday evening.

And his replacement is a familiar face.

Bears offensive coordinator Tomas De La Rosa was elevated to take the position, according to a tweets from the school and its football program.

Congrats to @AliefHastingsHS new @AliefHastingsFB Head Coach!!

Help us congratulate Coach Thomas De La Rosa as he takes on his new role!! pic.twitter.com/DR6e3YEkIw

— Alief ISD (@AliefISD) February 19, 2020

And so a new chapter begins. Congratulations to new Head Coach and Campus Coordinator Tomas De La Rosa pic.twitter.com/Xsi4xsAZof

— Hastings Football (@AliefHastingsFB) February 19, 2020

De La Rosa takes over a program that went 4-6 last season, finishing tied for fifth in the District 23-6A standings with a 2-5 showing.

The Bears only produced two winning seasons under Martel, going 7-5 in 2018 and 6-3 in 2017. In his first four seasons with the team, Hastings went 10-31.

Starting next season, Hastings will compete against Alief Elsik, Alief Taylor, Alvin, Alvin Shadow Creek, Houston Strake Jesuit, Pearland and Pearland Dawson in a reconstructed District 23-6A.