Big high school football hire made as Central Valley Christian names Don Arax coach
Former Bullard High head football coach Don Arax has been hired at Central Valley Christian for the same position.
Arax coached some games last season before he was let go.
Fresno Unified School District gave no reason was given why he was let go.
CVC saw an opportunity to hire one of the successful coaches in the Central Section.
“I am delighted to welcome Coach Arax to our team,” CVC principal Linda Delean said in a press release. “His proven track record of success and his emphasis on integrity and sportsmanship make him an ideal fit for our school. We look forward to an exciting season under his leadership.”
Arax takes over for Mason Hughes, who went on to become an assistant at College of the Sequoias. Hughes coached CVC to a D 2-A state title this past season with a 45-42 victory over Los Gatos.
Bullard was off to a 1-4 start when Arax was released.
The Knights were two years removed after winning the Central Section Division II championship. That season, Arax was named The Fresno Bee’s Coach of the Year.
Section historian Bob Barnett said Arax has a 178-128-1 career record in his 28th year.
Arax also coached two years at Kerman and Reedley and the past 24 at Bullard.
He led his teams seven league titles and two section titles (2009 and 2021).
CVC athletic director Steve Annema took note how Arax “cares for his athletes.”
“Not only does his record on the field speak for itself, his record of caring for all of his athletes and being a man of faith was apparent through the whole process,” he said.
“Our athletic department has the core values of commitment, caring and connecting. It was apparent in all our conversations how dedicated Coach Arax is, and how he desires to build a connected community at CVC, as he has done at his previous coaching stops.”
Arax said he is grateful for the opportunity to coach at CVC.
“Central Valley Christian is a special place,” Arax said in a press release. “I feel as though my family and I have been given a rare gift. Foundational components such as discipline, structure, accountability, and sacrifice are essential components at CVC. That’s hard to find these days. Coach Hughes established a standard of excellence in his long tenure at CVC. I’m more than humbled by the opportunity to lead this program over the next several years.”
