South Tahoe High grad returns as new football coach

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - From the gridiron at South Tahoe High School (STHS) and Boise State, then through the ranks of coaching football at NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA, Junior College, and High School Jeffrey Cheek is returning home.

The 1996 STHS graduate has been hired as his alma mater's new football coach.

Jeffry Cheek knows football.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) made the announcement Wednesday after a search to replace Louis Franklin who left the District to work in Clovis, California.

"STHS is proud to announce the hiring of Coach Jeffry Cheek, a former South Tahoe VIKING and successful football coach of 17 years, including Division I college experience," said LTUSD in a press release.

After graduating from STHS in ‘96, Coach Cheek went on to DeAnza College, then Boise State to play football. After playing at Boise State, he moved on to the coaching ranks. As a coach, he developed a wide array of experience at many levels of play including NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA, Junior College, and High School. Cheek coached at several colleges including Boise State, Fresno State, Briar Cliff University, the University of Minnesota Crookston, and others.

Coach Cheek comes to South Lake Tahoe most recently from Napa High School where he was the offensive coordinator and taught students with special needs.

“It’s a dream come true to come back home again,” said Cheek. “South Tahoe gave me so much and I look forward to coming back and helping kids within the community live out their dreams and reach their goals.”

Coach Cheek holds a Master’s Degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Boise State. He is currently working on another Master’s degree in Special Education. Aside from his education, coaching accolades, and passion for the game, Coach Cheek also has a strong desire to work with students who sometimes need a bit more support to be successful in school, stating that he “loves the challenges and rewards of teaching in the classroom.”

With the football season schedule nearly set and the official start just around the corner, Coach Cheek will be diving right in as the new Head Coach, with no time to waste.

"The staff and students would like to welcome Coach Cheek back to the SLT community, our school, and athletic department," said South Tahoe High Principal Justin Zunino.