Chino chooses football coach familiar with the program

Chino High School didn’t have to look far for its new head football coach. Matt McCain, who will retain his athletic director position at Chino, will be the fourth head coach of the Cowboys in the last six years, pending board approval that can come no earlier than Feb. 18.

The Chino graduate will replace the departed Greg Setlich, who went 2-18 in his two seasons at the helm following a two-year stint by Manny Saiz that netted seven wins.

“We’ve been through some challenging times recently, but there’s a rich history,” McCain said. “I think we can get it back on track. I think a lot of our kids at Chino. Chino High School is a great place to work and coach. Expectations are high.”

McCain has been a large part of that rich history, playing for and coaching under John Monger during the legendary coach’s 19-year tenure at the school.

McCain was an assistant coach from 1995 until Monger resigned in 2005, the Cowboys’ last playoff appearance. Chino’s postseason prospects may be higher in 2010, when it jumps from the Sierra League to the Mt. Baldy League.

“I think going into the new league will help the program tremendously,” Monger said. “Matt is a people person and a positive person. I think he’s going to do a great job.”

McCain left Chino for one season, accepting the head coaching job at Anaheim Canyon High School in 1999. After making the playoffs in his lone season at Canyon, three teacher strikes at the school persuaded McCain to return to Chino in 2000.

When Monger retired in 2005, McCain was named Chino’s head coach before accepting the athletic director position weeks later.

“It wasn’t impossible to do both,” McCain said, “but I was a new AD, and I didn’t feel comfortable doing both jobs.”

With his sons now 9 and 7 years old, McCain said his family is in a better position for him to tackle both athletic director and head football coaching duties.

After graduating Chino in 1990 following a career as a linebacker and quarterback, McCain played at Fullerton Junior College for two seasons before earning a scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He joined Monger’s coaching staff at Chino in 1995 as the linebackers coach.

After returning from Canyon in 2000, McCain served as the offensive coordinator for the next five seasons until Monger resigned. McCain helped hire Saiz, who remains a physical-education teacher at Chino and will join McCain’s football coaching staff next season.

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