Embrack won't return as Rattlers football coach

Tucumcari High School is on the hunt for its fourth head football coach in four years.

Tucumcari Public Schools interim superintendent Dave Johnson confirmed last week that Tarik Embrack is not returning for a second season for the Rattlers program after being placed on administrative leave early this year.

Embrack was placed on leave after Johnson was notified of an unspecified allegation in January.

Johnson said an independent investigative firm examined the district's internal investigation of the allegation against Embrack. Johnson declined to reveal the results of the investigations.

"I can tell you he's not coming back," Johnson said. "You can infer from that."

Quay County Sheriff Dennis Garcia said in February his department investigated the incident and determined there was no criminal activity involved.

Tucumcari Public Schools posted on its website in early April a job opening for a football coach.

When the Quay County Sun contacted Embrack in February, he said he could not talk about the situation. He said he would contest the allegation and wanted to return as football coach.

Phone messages left to Embrack last week requesting comment were not returned.

Under first-year coach Embrack in 2023, a young and developing Rattlers squad turned in a 3-6 season, the most wins for the program since 2015. Tucumcari also earned its first district victory since 2017.

Before coming to Tucumcari, Embrack coached football for one season each at Mescalero Apache and Newcomb. Both teams logged 2-8 records.

Embrack's predecessor, Donnie Garcia, did not return after an 0-10 season in 2022, his only season in guiding the Rattlers.

Longtime Tucumcari coach Wayne Ferguson stepped down after a 1-9 season in 2021. Ferguson stayed on as TPS' athletic director and track coach. His record during 10 seasons as the Rattlers football coach was 26-71.