Football

Coach Edward Cantrell is in his second year as Football Program Director at St. Andrew's. Coach has served St. Andrew's for the past 12 seasons, acting as the Middle School defensive coordinator, Middle School Head Football Coach, Upper School Defensive Back Coach and Upper School Defensive Coordinator. Coach Cantrell also serves as our Assistant Upper School Strength and Conditioning Coach.

 

Coach Cantrell has spent most of his life in Austin, TX. He graduated from Reagan High School as a four-sport athlete (football, baseball, track, and powerlifting) and a three-year letterman. As a high school junior, he accepted an offer to play for Angelo State University, where he earned all-conference honors, multiple Defensive Player of the Week awards, and the Greg Stokes Award, given to players who volunteer in the community while excelling on the field and in the classroom.  

After his successful college career, Coach Cantrell went on to play professionally for the Austin Turfcats, for whom he set a franchise record for tackles and the Amarillo Venom, whom he helped lead to a Lone Star Football League championship. During his time with the Venom, Cantrell led the Lone Star division in tackles and while also leading  his division in multiple categories, both offensive and defensively. He retired after the 2012 season to become a full-time coach and professional trainer.

 

Coach and his wife, Donyea, live here in Austin and have a beautiful daughter, Grace who was born at the end of last season. You will regularly see Coach Cantrell’s whole family at our games – including his wife, daughter, parents, in-laws and teenage sons, unless the younger Cantrells have a football game of their own. Fan and community support is a big part of our SAS football family!

 

Coach Cantrell is deeply committed to his players and fellow coaches. He and the excellent staff he has assembled, prioritize player safety and development, along with the hard work it takes for St. Andrew's. Cantrell is looking for 100% on the field, in the classroom, and in the weight room. From varsity to JV to middle school tackle and all levels of flag football, every player is an important part of our football family. Coach is focused on all his players: those seeking to continue their football careers at the college level, to those players just trying football for the first time. Cantrell requires consistently high-level effort, hard work, smart play, teammate collaboration and sportsmanship. As he regularly says, "you are responsible for making your teammates successful."