That's one way to start the week.

Klein ISD officially named Fulshear head coach Nick Codutti as the next head football coach at Klein High School on Monday. Codutti replaces Shane Hallmark, who had led the Bearkats program since 2010. 

“Klein brought something to the table that can’t be faked and it’s that family atmosphere and close-knit traditions," he said. "It was very comfortable walking into the room and speaking with administration. I’m really excited to be at Klein High School. I feel like this place has a ton of potential and I’m ready to get started."

Codutti, has earned a reputation as an innovative offensive mind with his run-oriented scheme, turned lowly Fulshear into a power in the Houston area leading the Chargers to a 12-1 record in 2024, their first season in Class 6A. Prior to that FHS had posted a 22-3 record in their final two seasons at the 5A level. 

Coach Codutti, who took over Fulshear in 2021, posted a 39-10 record and led Fulshear to all four playoff appearances in school history. In the three seasons prior to Codutti’s arrival they were 8-22 and had never made the playoffs after opening in 2018.

Prior to taking over at Fulshear, Codutti served as the offensive coordinator at Tomball and Beaumont West Brook. 

"Leaving Fulshear is one of the toughest things I’ve had to do and it’s because of the kids and the relationships we’ve built. "It’s never easy but I know those kids are going to be successful,” Codutti said.

Klein’s new head coach arrived in Texas in 2015 after three seasons as the head coach at Marshfield High in Missouri and is a native of Philadelphia. His style is unconventional to most, but there’s a method to Codutti’s madness and it worked with incredible results at Fulshear and he’ll be looking to do more of the same at his new stop.

Expect plenty of excitement around Klein High going into 2025 as the Bearkats bring back several key pieces from a team that went 6-4 in 2024 and just missed out on the playoffs in the ultra-competitive District 15-6A.