by Zach Stalcup and Haley DeLuc, staff writers

The Cal High football team will soon be adding a new member to its coaching staff, someone who knows a thing or two about discipline.

Scott Holder will be stepping in as an assistant head coach to the varsity football team, which finished 7-4 last season.

Only Holder is not just an average Joe. He’s actually San Ramon’s police chief.

Holder joins the staff after serving as linebackers coach last year for Northgate High in Walnut Creek.  Northgate went 3-7 last season.

“I think he will bring more discipline,” said junior Karris Johnson, a returning varsity running back.

Even though Holder is the city’s police chief, a job that demands a great deal of time and responsibility, he doesn’t believe his position will affect his coaching.

“What they’re going to learn is that when I go out there I don’t bring my badge.  It has nothing to do with how I earn my living,” said Holder, “I’ve been police chief here for seven years and I’ve coached the entire time and never had that factor come into play with players.”

Both students and administration are excited to have Holder at Cal next year.

“I think he’s a good guy, a good man, a good coach,” said Athletic Director Dave Kravitz. “I think Coach (Eric) Billeci is going to use him to the programs benefit.”

Kravitz and Billeci, who is entering his fourth season as head coach, believe Holder will be no different from any other coach.

Holder said he is excited about the opportunity.

“I think the program has been going in the right direction for several years,” said Holder. “I know the players have been working really hard in the off season. We have a lot of talent coming back and it’s up to the players and the coaches to get up to the same page and make it happen.”

Holder is expected to help elevate the program to the next level.

“I think everyone would expect me to say to win NCS, but the true goal is coming out of the summer with no injuries and winning our first game against Washington,” said Holder.

Everyone seems to have ideas as to what Holder will bring to the team this upcoming season, including Holder himself.

“I think I bring some leadership and a positiveness to the players, not just developing good football players but developing good young men,” said Holder.

Junior Austin Terry agrees.

“I have not yet had the chance to meet him,” he said. “I believe his background will help to reinforce the work ethic and discipline which Billeci and the rest of the coaching staff have worked hard to instill in myself and the rest of my teammates.”

When asked if he thought Holder would bring a level of intimidation to the team, Terry said any player who has survived a season under Billeci would laugh at that question.

“Intimidation is the least of our worries,” Terry said.

Holder started his coaching career after a serious injury while playing college  baseball. He then returned home and was asked by his former coach to help coach at his old high school.

Holder will be coaching linebackers and running backs for  Cal’s varsity team.

Brett Stompro was the varsity linebacker coach for the past five years. During Stompro’s five years as linebacker coach, the Grizzlies made NCS finals twice. Holder hopes to build on this success in the near future.