I met Coach Enrico in 2014 at a high school basketball game between the St. Anthony Yellow Jackets and the Central Catholic Buttons. I was covering the game from the Yellow Jackets perspective and their Head Coach, Kevin Smisek, introduced us. I knew of Carlos, and it wasn’t until a few years prior to our meeting, that I realized he is married to Carmen Enrico, who just happened to be my 3rd and 5th grade teacher.
Where did you and Carmen meet?
I met Carmen in college at Southwest Texas State University. She didn’t know very much about football until she sat in the stands with my dad who taught her everything! She is a football expert today, she knows the game!
How did you get the Head Coach position at Central Catholic High School?
I got the Head job at Central after 11 years as an assistant. I took over for Marshall Fleener. One of my biggest influences in coaching was Sonny Detmer. Sonny coached at CC for 2 years and was a mentor offensively! I owe Sonny Detmer for everything he taught me about football! I always wanted to go into coaching!
Was it hard also being the Athletic Director at Central Catholic High School?
The big difference about coaching and being the Athletic Director was you had to always remind coaches of deadlines with paperwork and it was always busy with budgeting in all sports!
It wasn’t hard doing both as it kept you busy all day! I was very fortunate at Central in that I didn’t have to teach or sub! Full time AD!
Talk about memorable games and players during your Central Catholic years.
All games were memorable games.
I remember games that we lost more because you always questioned yourself on what could I have done differently for us to win!
State Championship games are memorable because they are so hard to win!
I’ve coached so many players; Erik Walsh, city manager; Jose Melendez, State Senator, and Tony Liberto, president of Rico’s – just to name a few, but too many to mention!
Players, I remember them all! I have a pretty good sense. I may not remember their names sometimes but I can remember their number. I have on my phone 34 players that I’ve coached that have passed away! I have been to many of their funerals. I’m sure there are more that I don’t know of.
I stay in contact with a bunch of them. What gives me the most satisfying feeling as a coach is to see how these young men have grown and developed into dads, leaders, and mentors.
Tell me about your broadcasting experience.
I’ve done radio with Bobby Stautzenberger and Gabe Farias, which was fun.
I currently work TV games with Hector Ledesma, whom I coached and am starting my 4th year with KCWX TV.