The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Chastain leaves Norco, goes to Roosevelt
Few secrets have been worsekept this one.
Wednesday, Chuck Chastain officially resigned as the Norco High School football coach, a position he has held since the 2014 season. About an hour after Chastain confirmed that news, Roosevelt athletic director Aaron Shires announced Chastain has been selected to be the fourth head coach in that program’s history.
Chastain compiled a record of 64-33 during his nine seasons leading the Norco program. He guided the Cougars to playoff appearances each season, extending the program’s Inland-record playoff streak to 37 years. Norco finished second in the Big VIII League six times and claimed the league title during the Covid-shortened 2021 spring season.
Norco was among eight teams selected for the Division 1 playoffs in the fall of 2021.
Chastain will take the reins from Tommy Leach, who stepped down as Roosevelt’s coach after the conclusion of the 2022 season. Leach compiled a record of 42-34 during his seven seasons in charge of the Mustangs.
This move will raise eyebrows given the Chastain family’s long connection to the Norco football program. Chastain was the starting quarterback on Norco’s CIF Southern Section championship team in 1998, and his father, Charlie, also played football for the Cougars under legendary coach Gary Campbell.
“I appreciate the Norco community and everything that it has done for me an my family,” Chastain said by phone Wednesday evening. “I just feel like it’s time for a change, and Roosevelt is a great opportunity.”
Roosevelt’s enrollment is 4,698, according to the Southern Section website, making it the largest school in the section.
“I think there is still a lot of potential for growth with this program, and I’m excited to see where we can take things in the next few years,” Chastain said. “My goal is to try to win a Division 3 or 4 title next season and keep building from there. By the third year, I’d like to see us in the Division 1 picture.”
Chastain also applied for the vacant position at Mater Dei and confirmed he had a second interview with the school earlier this week.