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Matt Chachere to rebuild CHS football program
Cal Poly grad spent the past two seasons coaching defense at Grace Davis
mattchachere
Matt Chachere, 34, has been named Ceres Highs new head football coach. He takes over a program that had a combined record of 29-101 from 2005-17. - photo by Contributed to the Courier

Matt Chachere has agreed to become the next head coach of Ceres High School's varsity football program.

"Being a head coach has always been a dream of mine," he said. "It's a perfect opportunity and situation. It's going to take some time to turn the program around. It's not going to happen in one year. Hopefully, down the road, the wins will come. My main philosophy is trying to shape the players into becoming productive members of society."

Chachere, 34, was offered the job after being interviewed by CHS principal Linda Stubbs, assistant principal Ed Pelfrey, athletic director Shawna Nunes, and Ceres Unified School District director of personnel David Viss.

A total of seven people applied for the position.

"I was pretty nervous because I didn't have head coaching experience," he said. "Record-wise at Grace Davis, we didn't have the best numbers. But I felt confident leaving the interview."

"He did his homework," Nunes said. "He had a lot of questions for us. The things we like about Matt are his passion, energy and knowledge. He has a great personality. He wants to build a program from the ground up. This will be his first head coaching job."

Chachere faces a tall task as he inherits a program that amassed a 29-101 overall record from 2005-17.

The Bulldogs haven't posted a winning record or claimed a conference title since 2004.

"Any time you have a change, it creates a stir," Nunes said. "He knows it's going to take a couple years to turn things around. He's realistic."

Added Chachere: "I always enjoy a good challenge."

Chachere was defensive coordinator on Tim Garcia's coaching staff at Modesto's Grace Davis for the past two seasons.

Garcia was the founding head coach of Central Valley's football program in Ceres.

"I talked with Timmy," Nunes stated. ‘He was very complimentary. He had a lot of positive things to say."

Matt also gained valuable experience coaching at Beyer High School (2013), Connecticut's United States Coast Guard Academy (2010), Ohio's Princeton High School (2009, 2008) and San Luis Obispo High School (2007, 2006).

Beyer compiled a 6-5 overall record, qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-I playoffs and finished in second place in the Modesto Metro Conference during Chachere's one season as defensive coordinator.

"Each stop, I got a chance to work with different types of kids," he said. "That helps you with the mentoring part of being a coach."

Chachere met with Bulldog players on Tuesday and Ceres High coaches on Sunday.

"I believe in being fair," he said. "I hold everybody to the same standard no matter what. Nobody is bigger than the program."

Chachere's official hiring date was March 2.

He'll be an on-campus coach.

Matt will teach social studies and physical education, beginning next school year.

He currently works for E&J Gallo Winery.

"Being able to have that daily contact with student-athletes is so important," Nunes said.

Chachere was born in New Orleans.

He grew up in Cincinnati, where he graduated from Princeton High School in 2001.

Matt played football at and graduated from Cal Poly (2001-06).

He contributed at defensive end/outside linebacker.

"Our coaches set up a system where we were constantly being monitored for grades," he said. "That was a huge piece being successful in college and as a person."