LV Robertson hires Chad Roanhaus

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Chad Roanhaus, son of Clovis High football coach Eric Roanhaus, was named head football coach Monday at Class 3A Las Vegas Robertson.

Chad Roanhaus, 29, succeeds Art Abreu, who resigned last week after 12 years with the program. Abreu will retain his teaching position at Robertson, Chad Roanhaus said.

The younger Roanhaus said he is excited about the opportunity.

“I think I’m coming into a good situation with good kids and good parents and good community support,” he said. “I feel real comfortable taking over.”

He said his goal is to win a state championship, something Eric Roanhaus has done 10 times at Clovis.

“We’re going to get one,” Chad Roanhaus said. “We will work harder than anyone else.”

Chad Roanhaus, who played quarterback at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas between 1994 and 1998, resigned his position at CHS in March. He spent the past three seasons under his father as Clovis’ varsity quarterbacks coach and junior varsity head coach.

He will not have a teaching position at Robertson, but expects to land a job in the community, he said.

Robertson reached the Class 3A state championship game in 2000, and last year finished with a 6-4 record.

Chad Roanhaus said he’s known coach Abreu for many years. “He runs a tight ship, and I knew I would have good kids there,” he said.

Chad Roanhaus said he plans an offensive approach similar to the one his father employs. “We’re going to try to open it up a little bit and be a little more versatile,” he said.

Chad Roanhaus said this year’s team will have just four seniors, adding that the Cardinals’ season opener is at defending 3A champion Ruidoso.

One of the other applicants for the position, Robertson assistant Leroy Gonzales, will stay on as a member of the staff. Chad Roanhaus and Gonzales were acquainted when both were coaching at Highlands — Roanhaus as a grad assistant in football and Gonzales as a baseball assistant.

CNJ sports writer Dave Wagner and The Associated Press contributed to this report.