It wasn't that long ago that Matt Humbert was in college, playing quarterback at California University of Pennsylvania.

But that doesn't mean he hasn't spent a lifetime devoting himself to coaching.

Humbert, 25, was officially hired as the new head football coach at Ringgold High School last month. A 2003 Laurel Highlands High School graduate, Humbert had been named the interim coach in the spring after Lloyd Price resigned.

"Everything since back when I was playing football at Cal was pretty much aligning myself in how I chose my career and profession. It was always because I wanted to coach, first and foremost," Humbert said.

"I really set out to be a football coach from day one, and of course being a head coach is something you have as an ultimate goal to go after, and I've been following those steps and processes from day one. I was lucky to obtain this position this year."

Humbert's age might aid him as he hopes to add some stability to a program that has now had eight head coaches over the past 11 years. The Rams' offensive coordinator last season, Humbert was the acting head coach for two games this past fall when Price was suspended.

He has coordinated the offseason program the same as he would have had he been named the head coach permanently back in April. But that doesn't mean making the title official won't make things that much easier to get everyone on board.

"The nice thing is that I have the green light now," Humbert said. "Being around the coaches we brought in, we can really get into the nuts and bolts of what we have to do.

"I'm not saying we were not doing that the past two months. But when you don't have that title, it's kind of hard to get at everything and kind of attack everything full force."

Humbert's rapid ascension to a head coaching position began after his playing days at Cal U, where he became a graduate assistant while he worked on his master's degree. He has spent two years in his current full-time job as a U.S. history teacher in the Bentworth School District.

Humbert describes himself as more of a laid-back coach who can delegate responsibilities among his staff.

"But at the same time, I expect a lot out of our kids," Humbert said. "You have to be a teacher out there, you have to be an educator first with the kids. They're building knowledge, just like in class -- it's just that this knowledge is not academic and more football-related, though."

At a school where no one has been coach for more than two consecutive seasons since the Clinton Administration, reaching out to what has to be becoming a skeptical student body is as important as anything.

He needs to convince them that the days of a "revolving door" for head football coaches have ended.

"From day one, I've wanted to show I want to be with these kids throughout the year and foster relationships with them," Humbert said. "When you're in my position, I have a lot invested in them as students and athletes, and they have a lot invested in me.

"The biggest thing at Ringgold is the fact there has been no stability, and that's something we've tried to address with the kids, their families and the [assistant] coaches as well."

Ringgold athletic director Ron McMichael was also aware of the situation.

"We've been trying to get some form of continuity for the kids who have been here the last three or four years," he said. "They've had a different coach just about every year, and at least this gives a little continuity.

"He's been working all offseason with the kids in the conditioning and weightlifting program. We think he'll continue to bring the program along, as he did even when he was not the head coach and was just the coach on an interim basis. He's a very energized guy, which is nice."

McMichael said Humbert's youthfulness is not an issue.

"Not for me personally," he said. "My feeling was that if the school board felt comfortable enough in giving him the interim tag, they must have felt he was competent enough and capable enough to be doing the job.

"I'm just excited for Matt and for the whole football program and for our kids in the school district. Obviously, it's a great opportunity for Matt, but the school also has been looking for stability in that position, and we think we have that now."

The Rams are familiar with Humbert's offensive philosophies after last season, but Humbert said he will adapt and evolve the offense to fit his personnel. Although he is a believer in the "spread" offense, Humbert said Ringgold will run the ball more this season.

The Rams figure to return athletic senior quarterback Dylan Patch and a deep stable of talented running backs who will allow them to use two- and three-back sets. Humbert also said he won't be afraid to line up those backs in the slot to run pass routes.

"Long term, we want to provide stability and create a program that kids know what to expect and what's expected of them," Humbert said.

"That's tough because every time you have a new coach, you change the philosophy and change the structure of the organization. We want to establish a foundation and set guidelines these kids can follow."

The Rams went 4-6 last season, but won only one conference game. The team has had only one winning season since 2000 and has not won a postseason game since 1999.

"In terms of short-term goals, obviously first and foremost is to make the [WPIAL] playoffs," Humbert said. "Having a winning record and earning a conference championship, those are the three athletic goals we have right now.

"There's still, of course, other things we strive for in how we conduct ourselves outside of football. Plus, that all being said, I try not to get too wrapped up in looking ahead. Our first big goal is playing [Elizabeth Forward in the season opener]."

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