DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
When Donna North’s head football coach/athletic coordinator position opened shortly after the end of the 2015 season, one name in particular was tied to the job.
During the last few weeks, multiple sources in and around Donna ISD said the job was Matthew Rokovich’s to lose. That speculation was verified Tuesday night when the school board approved the Donna ISD assistant athletic director to lead the Chiefs.
Donna North is the job Rokovich longed for, and he made that clear after hearing he had been approved for the role.
“I’ve seen the last two years and I’ve been around the kids,” Rokovich said. “I’ve seen how hungry they are, I’ve looked into their eyes. I know they want to be successful. They want to win. They just need to be given direction. I’m ready to go over there and help them get to where they want to go. I’m excited to look in their eyes and tell them where we’re headed.
“We’re going to fight, because we have kids who want to fight to win.”
Rokovich, 55, has been a coach for 32 years, when his career began at Laredo Martin 1984.
Since then, he has been an offensive coordinator at Del Rio, a head coach at Brackettville where he amassed an 11-19 overall record from 1985-1987, a first assistant coach under Dave Evans at Donna High, and then an assistant coach at Weslaco High for four years and Weslaco East for seven.
The last three years, Rokovich was an offensive line coach under Ramiro Leal at Donna High, Donna ISD’s interim athletic director in 2014 and assistant AD last year.
Most of Rokovich’s tenure has been spent coaching the offensive line. Rokovich said 27 players have gone on to earn All-State honors under his tutelage.
“You win and lose up front,” Rokovich said. “If you’re moving people offensively, you’re going to open up holes. We’re going to be a multiple offense. I’ve worked in the spread and slot and power I … you have to have multiple looks and give defenses a lot to think about.”
Rokovich said he will not be stubborn and will coach to personnel. He’s excited about taking over a program that is only two years old. That means a lot of teaching, something he prides himself on.
“How do you win games? You put kids in a great position to succeed and you teach them,” Rokovich said. “You teach. I’m a teacher, first and foremost.”
Rokovich takes over for Tommy Sauceda, the Chiefs’ inaugural coach who led the program to a 1-19 record the last two seasons before he was reassigned in late November.
Donna ISD tags Rokovich to lead Chiefs
BY DENNIS SILVA II
STAFF WRITER
When Donna North’s head football coach/athletic coordinator position opened shortly after the end of the 2015 season, one name in particular was tied to the job.
During the last few weeks, multiple sources in and around Donna ISD said the job was Matthew Rokovich’s to lose. That speculation was verified Tuesday night when the school board approved the Donna ISD assistant athletic director to lead the Chiefs.
Donna North is the job Rokovich longed for, and he made that clear after hearing he had been approved for the role.
“I’ve seen the last two years and I’ve been around the kids,” Rokovich said. “I’ve seen how hungry they are, I’ve looked into their eyes. I know they want to be successful. They want to win. They just need to be given direction. I’m ready to go over there and help them get to where they want to go. I’m excited to look in their eyes and tell them where we’re headed.
“We’re going to fight, because we have kids who want to fight to win.”
Rokovich, 55, has been a coach for 32 years, when his career began at Laredo Martin 1984.
Since then, he has been an offensive coordinator at Del Rio, a head coach at Brackettville where he amassed an 11-19 overall record from 1985-1987, a first assistant coach under Dave Evans at Donna High, and then an assistant coach at Weslaco High for four years and Weslaco East for seven.
The last three years, Rokovich was an offensive line coach under Ramiro Leal at Donna High, Donna ISD’s interim athletic director in 2014 and assistant AD last year.
Most of Rokovich’s tenure has been spent coaching the offensive line. Rokovich said 27 players have gone on to earn All-State honors under his tutelage.
“You win and lose up front,” Rokovich said. “If you’re moving people offensively, you’re going to open up holes. We’re going to be a multiple offense. I’ve worked in the spread and slot and power I … you have to have multiple looks and give defenses a lot to think about.”
Rokovich said he will not be stubborn and will coach to personnel. He’s excited about taking over a program that is only two years old. That means a lot of teaching, something he prides himself on.
“How do you win games? You put kids in a great position to succeed and you teach them,” Rokovich said. “You teach. I’m a teacher, first and foremost.”
Rokovich takes over for Tommy Sauceda, the Chiefs’ inaugural coach who led the program to a 1-19 record the last two seasons before he was reassigned in late November.