Sonoma Valley’s new varsity football coach announced

Sonoma Valley found their new varsity coach this month, and they didn’t have far to go. Clay Jackson, currently the athletic director at St. Francis Solano School, was selected from several candidates following an interview process that began at the end of 2019, when the position was announced by SVHS Athletic Director Mike Boles.

Boles said that Jackson “will be the right fit for our student athletes and school community.” Coincidentally, Boles joined the SVHS coaching staff after serving at St. Francis as the athletic director there, although he said the two men were not acquainted.

Jackson served last year as a coach and run-game coordinator at Napa High, after being head coach at San Rafael High, from 2010-14.

The student-athletes of Sonoma Valley High have a chance to meet Coach Jackson on Wednesday, during lunch on Jan. 29, and at the Pavilion at 2:30 p.m. “He is eager to work with our student athletes, build bridges with our community and alumni,” said Principal Alberto Solorzano in a statement.

The previous coach, Hervy Williams, stepped down in December after one year in the position, during which the Dragons went 1-9 and ended their season with an on-field melee that caused them to forfeit their final scheduled game a week later.