News Summary
Huntington Beach High School has appointed Matthew Hatchette, a former NFL player, as its new head football coach, pending board approval. This decision follows the resignation of Brett Brown, who led the team through six playoff appearances. With nearly 15 years of high school coaching experience, Hatchette aims to build on the Oilers’ recent successes, including a notable playoff run last season. The community is optimistic about this leadership change as the team prepares for the upcoming season and seeks to enhance its competitive edge.
Huntington Beach Welcomes Matthew Hatchette as New Head Football Coach
Huntington Beach High School has announced the appointment of former NFL player Matthew Hatchette as the new head football coach, pending board approval. This comes after the resignation of Brett Brown, who finished his tenure with a record of 39-56 over nine seasons, including six playoff appearances. The change in leadership arrives at a critical time as the school prepares for the upcoming football season.
Hatchette, who played for teams such as the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL, brings nearly 15 years of high school coaching experience to Huntington Beach. His most recent position was as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Loyola High School from 2018 until 2024. This will be Hatchette’s first head coaching position, and he has expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity ahead, emphasizing the significance of teamwork in fostering a winning culture.
Brown guided the Oilers to a successful season last year, concluding with a 7-5 record. They secured third place in the Epsilon League and made a notable advance to the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs, reaching the semifinals for the first time since their championship season in 2013. Under Brown’s mentorship, quarterback Brady Edmunds emerged as a standout player, earning first-team All-County honors. Edmunds, regarded as the top QB in the Class of 2027, has already verbally committed to Ohio State. His impressive stats include over 5,900 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions alongside 11 rushing touchdowns in just two years.
The recent annual Battle at the Beach passing tournament held at Huntington Beach showcased top high school programs across Southern California and marked one of the final showcase events before the football season officially begins. The tournament facilitated opportunities for college recruitment, with interest primarily focusing on rising junior players since recruiting for the Class of 2026 is largely settled. This year’s event highlighted promising talents, such as Oklahoma-bound quarterback Brady Edmunds and his teammates, juniors Troy Foster and Steel Kurtz, who played crucial roles in the team’s success.
During the previous season, the Oilers performed commendably but faced a challenging end, losing in the playoffs to Summit with a score of 45-14, followed by another loss to Simi Valley, the eventual CIF-SS champions, in the semifinals. As Huntington Beach High School transitions to a new coaching era under Hatchette, the team aims to build on its recent achievements and aspirations for the upcoming season.
Hatchette, originally from Ohio, holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Langston University in Oklahoma. His extensive coaching background, including stints as an offensive coordinator at various schools such as Pierce Junior College and Long Beach Poly High, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the Huntington Beach football program moving forward.
As the community rallies behind the new leadership, the Oilers look forward to enhancing their competitive edge and continuing their legacy of excellence in high school football.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Taps Former NFL Player Matthew Hatchette
- Orange County Register: Huntington Beach Football Coach Brett Brown Resigns
- USA Today: How to Watch Simi Valley vs. Edison vs. Huntington Beach High School Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Football
- Q Voice News: Chris Kluwe Fired from High School Football Coaching Job
- Google Search: Huntington Beach High School Football
